The Kent golf scene boasts a trifecta of links courses that have hosted an Open Championship, including Royal St Georges, Princes, and Royal Cinque Ports. Like Royal Birkdale, Hillside, and Southport & Ainsdale on England’s Golf Coast, the three standouts of Sandwich Golf directly border each other.
Affectionately known as Deal to locals and members, Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club lies directly on the sea and is an excellent stop on any England golf vacation. Founded in 1892, Royal Cinque Ports has a rich history and has been a regular feature in several World Top 100 course lists.
Royal Cinque Ports has hosted the Open Championship twice, in 1909 and 1920. James Braid made changes and lengthened the course in 1919, which was severely damaged in WWI, in preparation for the 1920 Open. Guy Campbell made additional enhancements in 1946 for the scheduled but not held 1949 Open.
Further upgrades and modernization tweaks have been under Martin Ebert’s masterful direction. Of the 18 holes on this course, several border the sea, creating challenge while providing breathtaking views.
In 1898 Legendary golfer Freddie Tait made a wager that he could traverse cross country the 3.2 miles between the Royal St George’s clubhouse and the Royal Cinque Ports clubhouse in less than 40 shots using the same ball. Achieving the feat with shots to spare his 32nd shot errantly struck not only the Deal clubhouse but broke a window in the process, that Tait had to pay for out of his winnings
While it only hosted two Opens in 1909 and 1920, won by JH Taylor and George Lowe respectively, it was scheduled for two more in 1938 and 1949. Unfortunately, untimely high tides in those years flooded the course and required The Opens to be reassigned. The lack of available land for modern infrastructure has led to Deal being dropped from the current Open rota. That hasn’t diminished its value to The Open and it was one of four qualifying courses for the 2023 Open at Royal Liverpool.
In England golf (and now also Scotland) every public (in Britain that means private) schoolboy and alum of those schools knows Deal as the home to the annual Halford Hewitt Public Schools Championship, the largest amateur tournament in the UK. Over a week each of the 64 qualifying schools submit five teams of foursome pairs. As with most private Kent golf clubs, Royal Cinque Ports plays mainly as a two-ball foursomes club for members, especially on weekends.
Royal Cinque Ports, a perfect addition to any England golf tour, welcomes visiting golfers with advanced reservations. Should the day be on the chilly side, be sure and order a “Shovrill” to take the chill off at the halfway house. This member’s favorite, a mixture of Sherry and Bovril, was inspired during the historic evacuation of Dunkirk.
Royal Cinque Ports presents one of England’s most authentic links experiences, where the proximity to the shoreline creates playing conditions that change dramatically with wind and weather. The course stretches along the Kent coast with several holes directly bordering the sea, offering both stunning vistas and formidable challenges that have tested golfers for over 130 years.
The layout showcases classic links architecture at its finest, with naturally undulating fairways, strategically placed pot bunkers, and greens that demand precise approach play. The routing takes full advantage of the coastal terrain, with holes that play both into and with the prevailing winds off the English Channel. Each hole presents unique challenges shaped by the natural contours of the land, creating a course that rewards strategic thinking and shot-making ability over pure distance.
The signature holes capitalize on the dramatic seaside setting, with elevated tees providing panoramic views across the channel toward France on clear days. The course’s positioning directly on the sea means that weather conditions can change rapidly, transforming a calm morning round into an afternoon battle against the elements, a hallmark of true championship links golf.
Royal Cinque Ports has been shaped by some of golf’s greatest architects, each adding to the legacy of this famous Kent links. James Braid’s 1919 redesign, lengthening the layout and introducing bold bunkering, elevated Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club to championship standard ahead of the 1920 Open.
After World War I left the course scarred, Braid’s restoration ensured it remained one of England’s finest tests. Later refinements by Guy Campbell in 1946 and, more recently, Martin Ebert’s sensitive updates have preserved its heritage while preparing Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club for modern championship play.
The Bell Hotel & Pub is the best option for accommodation in Sandwich. Save time on long transfers from other nearby towns and stay right by the three great courses in the region. The Bell offers a traditional English pub setting, with modern, well-appointed rooms and exceptional food and drink offerings.
Combine the fantastic heathland courses near London and the challenging links of southeast England on a week-long South East England golf tour. Include the famous sights of London during your stay.
7 nights accommodation and 6 rounds of golf
Prices starting from $7,855 per golfer
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Yes, visitors are welcome throughout the year. The club operates primarily as a two-ball course, with three and four-ball play permitted on Mondays and Thursdays.
On the course, players are expected to wear smart golf attire, including collared shirts (tucked in unless designed otherwise) and tailored trousers or shorts. Denim is not permitted.
Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club features a single 18-hole championship links course, renowned for its challenging layout and rich history.
While no official handicap is required, the championship course can be very challenging for beginners. The club reserves the right to refuse access to those without a proficient level of golf.
The course is playable year-round, thanks to its excellent drainage and the favorable local microclimate. However, many golfers prefer the late spring to early autumn months (April to October) for milder weather conditions.
Currently, it serves as a venue for various prestigious amateur events and is part of the Final Qualifying rota for The Open Championship. In the past, it has hosted The Open Championship twice, in 1909 and 1920.
