Photo: Eric Jones / geograph.org.uk · CC BY-SA 2.0
Belfast & County Down, Northern Ireland
Royal County Down Golf Club
A dramatic links beneath the Mourne Mountains on the shores of Dundrum Bay — ranked the world's number one course by Golf Digest, and the finest links in Ireland.
Course overview
Royal County Down Golf Club was founded in 1889 on linksland between Newcastle and the Mourne Mountains in County Down. Old Tom Morris helped lay out the original course; Harry Vardon and Harry Colt subsequently refined the layout as it stands today. The course runs along the shores of Dundrum Bay with the Mourne Mountains as a constant backdrop, and has been ranked the number one course in the world by Golf Digest and other publications. Visitor access is restricted to specific days of the week and a handicap certificate is required.
The essentials
- Architect
- Old Tom Morris; Harry Vardon; Harry Colt
- Established
- 1889
- Type
- Links
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 6,571 m
- Handicap
- HCP 0–22
- Location
- County Down, Northern Ireland
Character & atmosphere
An exposed links beneath the Mourne Mountains where blind tee shots, prominent gorse, and Dundrum Bay wind combine to create a course that rewards imagination and local knowledge — precision is non-negotiable from tee to green.
Highlights
Why play here
- Designed by Old Tom Morris; Harry Vardon; Harry Colt, opened in 1889.
- Sea views feature throughout the round.
- One of our highest-rated courses for scenery.
- A championship-calibre test that has hosted professional golf.
Signature Hole
9
A par 3 played from a high tee with a panoramic view of the Mourne Mountains and Dundrum Bay — the most photographed hole at Royal County Down and one of the most celebrated short holes in golf, where the visual drama matches the strategic demand of a precise carry to a well-protected green.
GolfTrip Score breakdown
Editorial scoring framework — not an official course rating.
Facilities
Practical guidance
Plan your visit
How to get there
Both Belfast airports are around an hour's drive from Newcastle. Car hire is the most practical option; the A24 through Ballynahinch is the direct route south into the Mourne Mountains foothills.
Where to stay
Staying in Newcastle is the immersive choice for Royal County Down — the course sits between the Mourne Mountains and Dundrum Bay, and the town has been a seaside resort since the Victorian era. For golfers making a specific pilgrimage to RCD, it is the natural stop.
Nearby courses
Location
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Northern Ireland
Explore Belfast & County Down
Royal County Down and the Mourne Mountains coastal links, close to Belfast.