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Prince's (Shore & Dunes), England |
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 Prince’s hosted the Open Championship on one occasion. The winner, Gene Sarazen, only claimed one Open title, but “The Squire” was the first golfer to win all four Majors.
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Date
1932 |
Winner
Gene Sarazen |
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Country
USA |
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| | It was difficult to decide exactly where to rank Prince’s Golf Club in the Top 100 because there are now 27 holes in three loops of nine, named Himalayas, Dunes and Shore. Anyway, we think Prince’s is a very good course indeed, irrespective of which nines you take as an 18-hole course.
At the turn of the 19th century, it was decided that a new links should be built at Sandwich, next door to Royal St George's. The new Prince's Golf Club would welcome ladies, juniors and men. Charles Hutchings and Percy Lucas laid out the course on land donated by the Earl of Guildford. The 18-hole course, stretching out to almost 7,000 yards, opened for play in 1907.
The military commandeered the course during both World Wars; it was virtually obliterated during the Second World War. However, in 1932, Prince’s Golf Club proudly hosted its first and only Open Championship. “The Squire”, Gene Sarazen, was the eventual winner. Sarazen continued his winning streak, becoming the first player to win all four Majors.
Sir Guy Campbell and John Morrison were commissioned to re-build Prince’s after the devastation of the Second World War and, incredibly, they were able to save 17 of the original greens and incorporate them into the new 27-hole layout. They have created a classic “links and a half”, with raised greens, rippled fairways, deep bunkers and, naturally, that famous links rough.
The Dunes and Shore loops make up the “championship” course. The Himalayas is shorter but nonetheless, an enjoyable nine holes. Above all, a warm welcome awaits everyone, much as it did it when Prince’s Golf Club first opened, one hundred years ago. | |
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |  | | | Played Princes last week with some clients and would like to take the time to congratulate the Golf Club on all the work they have carried out to the courses.
Princes has always been a true test of Golf, but it was a real pleasure to witness the work they have done in taking care to restore a real Links gem on the south coast. Looking forward to going back. |
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| 23 April 2013
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| | Lucky enough to have played Princes' at the begining of November. From the drive through the private estate past RSG, the Lodge and finally to the new club house you know you are somewhere special. The welcome was great the practice greens were great and so was the weather. We played the Shores and Dunes combo and have to say we were completely blown away. Fairways were immaculate, greens firm and true with a lot of subtle breaks. The work that is going on around the course did not deter from our day and i'm sure will be excellent when finished. We stayed and the Lodge overnight which was excellent value and great accomodation. Only downside for me was the food was a bit too fancy and not big enough to fill a big lad like me after a day on links. Otherwise an excellent experience which was enhanced by playing RSG the next day. Definately recommended. |
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| 02 December 2012
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| | An early start as the sun crept over the eastern horizon into the clear blue sky over London. Anything but this on the last day of Novemeber and I would not be heading for the links. However those in the know will tell you that this is the time of year to get your Links Golf in. Weather permitting. The green keeper at Royal St Davids thinks his greens are better in the winter than in the Summer. When inland courses are a Somme like trudge and balls are lost; plugged in the rough so deep that only future archaeoliogists will find them and one day ponder these dimpled rubber orbs with wonder, the links courses of the south coast run fast and dry. We played here in a gentle breezeand wall to wall blue sky and a low flying sun. The only way to play Links Golf in the Winter. We founds it in excellent condition, the new bunkers are settling in well, The greens are firm and natural. The work going on on the course is unobtrusive and next year as the Amateur championship is welcomed I am sure playing here will be a treat. I satyed in the lodge last year with my Wife and 3 month old daughter, It is great value and spotless. I'm a big fan, I will be back and you should go too!
JCB LAY |
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| 01 December 2012
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| | " I played and stayed at Prince's a couple of days ago and was very surprised by the transformation in the course. The fairways were about the best I have played on a links course and the greens were fantastic. The bunkering is a work of art with a mixture of roll off areas into them or bunkers hidden by rough. The staff are friendly and the new Lodge is a tremendous addition. The one downside is that a couple of fairways are under construction although I have been informed that they will be in play early next year"
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| 17 September 2012
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| | Seven of us played yesterday. The staff could not have been more helpful. 2 rounds of golf and breakfast for £45 each. Fantastic value. Especially when you consider that Royal St Georges next door is over £150 per round. The course was in superb condition, with true greens, and great fairways. There was some course work going on but it did not interfere with our games. |
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| 29 March 2012
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| | Today I finally stumped up the membership fee for Princes, I've never been to or played the course but being local I was aware of reputation and I've got to say I wasn't let down! I agree with the comments about the clubhouse exterior, it lacks something on every side other than the sea facing side which to be honest I like very much. The welcome was fantastic, any questions and queries were and respectfully and kindly (something that can be hard to find with a lot of pro shop staff). The clubhouse interior was immaculate, the honours board, press cuttings, old golf clubs and trophies don't let you forget you're somewhere special. The breakfast upstairs was better than I expected and went down very well while i looked across the course towards the sea becoming more and more nervous because of the high wind and big waves in front of me! I then headed to the range, I understand this is a work in progress and i hope it is soon completed as it was a bit of a let down, artificial tees on a concrete platform with 40 yards of sand/dirt in front of me didn't quite inspire me to practise as much as i wanted too. The course however was amazing! The greens were as close to perfect as I have ever seen and it was reflected by my own putting. The tees were very well prepared on the ground, i feel a little more detail for the particular hole could be added although the course guide more than makes up for it. The fairways were fantastic, there was no long or dead patches and the difference between the rough and fairway was visible for as far as you can see and this certainly helps a first timer on the course playing alone. I'm back again tomorrow morning for a cheeky 9 holes before the wife goes to work........ a pattern i can see becoming permanent for the weekends from now on! would recommend to any golfer of any standard! |
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| 07 January 2012
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| Response: | | | Paul | 09 January 2012 | | I’ve played it a few time both in the summer when it was preparing for the Open Qualifying, when you would expect it to be good, but I have played it recently and again today in the winter and the investment they have made continues. It was not just for the Open. True challenge of links golf and the fairways were like carpets and the greens true and slick. I don’t normally take the time to write a comment but felt they deserved one. | | | Sleats | 10 January 2012 | | Prince's is defo the poor mans Deal and St George's. A good course in isolation, but next to the other two it really does not stand up. Its good - just not great. | | | Chris | 15 January 2012 | | Poor man......... thanks for that! I wanted to join Princes as it's a fantastic golf course, not an old age tradition which has a golf course. As a customer I want a well prepared course, mutual respect from other players and as important as anything else, respect and a warm welcome from the staff and that is what you get. It's fairly priced and a joy to play, it get's exactly the same wind as St George's and Cinque Ports so on any day will be an equal challenge. Have fun at whatever course you choose to criticise next..... | | | Neil | 20 September 2012 | | Sleats you're obviously some kind of chopper. Princes is not a poor relation of the other 2. I've played all 3 in one day with members from each course.Each have their plus points but overall the most positive comments were for Princes. |
| | | Visited Prince's for the 2nd year running again this week. They offer great value, top quality links golf for £40 for the day before April, inc breakfast if you haven't already had it. The course has improved on last year, greens are much slicker than they look on the Championship set of nines (Dunes/Shore) even at this time of year and the re-building of most of the bunkers looks great. Himalayas 9 are a little more disappointing and haven't yet had the full re-modelling work done to them so some of the holes/bunkers are still looking a bit tired and in need of some tlc. Weather was great again - very lucky - and the welcome is always very friendly. Some minor inconvenience with a couple of holes having work done on paths between and around tees, but they're tidying these areas up. an underrated course judging by the ranking and perhaps a little over shadowed by its ' big brother open venue neighbour' but it should be no means feel that way - its got a lot to offer in terms of the course, and considering feedback from others is also much more welcoming and accessible. you must try it.. |
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| 30 March 2011
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| Response: | | | Alex | 14 September 2011 | | Warm welcome on a 2days w-e at the Prince's Golf Club. Himalayas starting to be better and better, exceptional Shore and Dunes |
| | | Had a thoroughly enjoyable 36 holes (Dunes & Himalayas then Shore & Dunes). Regarding a previous post, we discovered that the owner (& Troon golf) are looking to rejuvenate Princes and rightly so. There is so much there naturally and we found they have restored all the bunkers on the championship 18 and will be open in a couple of weeks, they are building paths and they are making some alterations to holes to all add to the definition and make the areas in and around the tees slicker. It looks like they will succeed. Building accomodation and will be a great base for travellers to the East Kent Coast joys. Good luck to them, Princes might be a rising top 100 course rather than a dropping one. Wonderful place by the sea and 36 + breakfast for £40 - a bargain. |
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| 22 March 2011
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| Response: | | | Dan | 23 March 2011 | | Well done for getting an even better deal than us ! Agree with all your points, probably the most accessible top quality links golf in SE England. |
| | | Prince's is a very friendly, good value and enjoyable place to play golf. Whilst a bit flat, there are some fun holes, and excellent quality greens. Currently £50 for 27 holes including breakfast, I can't think of better value golf anywhere. |
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| 13 March 2011
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| | Played the Shore/Dunes 18 on a winter deal with my son today and had a fantastic time. Great layout - admittedly with some course maintenance being carried out - not surprising with the Open at RSG - but just about the best greens I've come across in February. The sun shone and we played well around a little bit of history. Very helpful and friendly staff - to play an open venue so reasonably priced, and so unstuffy was a welcome surprise. Highly recommended. |
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| 22 February 2011
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| | Following on from below, I have received a very honourable and polite apology from Mr Lovett(who was on holiday at the time) for the unusual condition of the course on that day. We will be playing the course again in its true glory next year, courtesy of the club and hope for a good day.
In answer to TR below. Yes, we were unlucky and there is no doubt that Prince’s is a very good links course and could become great.
8/8/10 |
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| 10 August 2010
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| | We arrived at Prince’s keen to find out how good this course was. We played the dunes and the shore set of nines and was disappointed by a lack of numbers on the tee boxes. The course layout is great and the fairways were shaped and undulating but in very poor condition, the cart tracks were pot holed and dangerous in places. My disappointment was compounded further when we arrived at the greens, all had been spiked and top dressed with bits of hay on the surface. Also we had bought stroke savers only to discover that that there were new bunkers dug in on some holes. Having handed over £270 for our four –ball I complained to the sales and marketing manager David Holder, who accepted our grievances and offered us another round up to the end of the year which was obviously no good to us (and most other travelling groups/societies). I returned the next day, having played St George's (great course) to talk to Michael Lovett the general manager who has assured us (he will e-mail me next week) of a free round of golf up to the end of June 2011, and also he would look at a return of some of the green fee. I will inform this site when I receive further information. Ps. On the way out, there were still no information/signs about the greens and the stroke savers, whilst two societies, one in orange, were putting out on the practise surface waiting to play. 26/7/10 |
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| 06 August 2010
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| Response: | | | TR | 06 August 2010 | | This gentleman seems to have been exceptionally unlucky. I played the course last weekend and the greens were immaculate. The were fairways superb as well, maybe a little bare in places but this is links golf - if you want lush green fairways stick to parkland courses! I cannot comment on the condition of the cart paths as I am able bodied. Yes there are no numbers on the tee boxes, hardly a reason to complain but potentially a little confusing as the Shore and Dunes loops run across the same piece of land, you just have to consult your scorecard. I assume that this will be addressed as part of the renovation programme in place. This is also why the course planner was missing a few bunkers. Overall I thought the course was a fantastic challenge - the fairways were incredibly tight, bordered by thick rough, and sometimes required significant carries to reach them (from the white tees). It's a proper tough seaside links that can rip you to pieces if your ball striking is off. Fantastic. |
| | | We popped in to Prince's yesterday afternoon at about 5pm in the hope that we might just be able to sneak a cheeky 9 holes in having travelled down from Sunningdale that afternoon and with RSG to follow the next day. For a meagre £20 we were able to get out on any of the loops of nine, and we chose Himalayas as there was a lot of bunker work on the other Shore and Dunes. We were also able to play from the championship tees, which meant we had almost 3500 yards to cover. The topography of the land does not befit the name of the loop, but the holes were excellent, with the 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th and 9th being particularly good. However, the highlight was the 6th, which is a monstrous 610 yard par 5 with lovely undulations and bunkers scattered down the fairway. It would have been even better had I managed to roll in my fifteen foot birdie putt!! The history and tradition of the place is present for all to see in the newly built clubhouse (the old one burnt down in 2008), and the likes of Phil Mickelson and Gary Player are Lifetime Members. A top notch nine holes, and I can't wait to return and play the other two loops. If you're in the Sandwich area and have got a couple of hours to kill, you could do far far worse then pop in to Prince's for a quick nine. |
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| 30 March 2010
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| | A good traditional links course. The rough was severe - an immediate lost ball. However one had to stray off the fairly wide fairways to enter the rough. I played it in a stiff breeze but I have heard that this must have been very calm compared to usual. Most of the bunkers were G.U.R which was dissapointing as they were traditional deep pot bunkers. The greens were bumpy as they had just been tined. There were no distance markers anywhere so one could not know the distance and finding the next tee proved to be a tricky business. The bar afterwards was dull but it did the business. A good course with a few faults. |
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| 08 November 2009
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| | Excellent facility, good value, great location and if it wasn't next to RSG would be much higher. Highly recommended. |
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| 11 June 2009
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| | I played Princes on a beautiful but very windy day in May 2009. We played the Dunes and Shore combination. Our entire group of 20 found this to be an exceptional links course. The landscape is classic links, almost lunar in appearance. The greens were wonderful and the overall experience was excellent. It is clearly worthy of hosting The Open again, but perhaps with it's more famous neighbour, this may be difficult. Prince's is top class. |
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| 26 May 2009
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| | We were lucky enough to play this course on a warm autumn day with little wind which made the course a little easier than it would be noramlly. We played here just after the greens had been spiked as another recent reviewer had and I must agree this took the edge of what is a good course. Some cracking holes on all 3 nine's, for us the best nine was the Dunes. We also played at St Georges on the same day which is another league, but Prince's is well worth playing and I hope to return next year to test myself on there better conditioned greens. |
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| 02 November 2008
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| | Prince's is a fabulous course and up with the best links in the country. Off the back tees the course is very long (now 7275 yds of the championship tees) and with the heavy rough it becomes brutal in any kind of wind. In my opinion it's a tougher test than neighbouring St. George's and Deal (as often reflected by the scores on tournaments co-hosted between the clubs). The greens are usually excellent, although the fairways can be a little scrappy in places. With a little tidying up and a few minor tweaks, Prince's would be well worthy of hosting The Open again. |
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| 18 October 2008
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| | After we couldn't get on at Cinque Ports or St George's (no 4 ball play at weekends) we went for Princes. Not bad at all, although not quiet in the same league as places such as Royal Porthcawl or Saunton. The greens had just been spiked which was a real shame as we had heard they were usually very good; it took the edge off the day. Contrary to other reviews our group all agreed Himalayas and dunes was the best combinatio. Would defnately play again but would check the greens were in good nick next time. |
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| 29 September 2008
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| Response: | | | Bill Howie | 04 October 2008 | | It was unfortunate that you played the course ar a time when necessary maintenance had been carried out on the greens, every course has to either solid tine or hollow tine greens. We hope you will return for a true impression of our highly regarded greens. |
| | | Prince's is a championship golf course and probably suffers because it is slightly, and I would consider it very slightly, less outstanding than it's two Royal neighbors, St. George's and Cinque Ports. I would consider the Dunes and Shore combination to be the two strongest nines, and these are both excellent nine's without any weak holes. The Himalaya's nine is good, and well worth playing, but probably not quite up to the quality of the other two nines. The land is generally flat, but there are plenty of undulations especially around the greens. The course was playing about as difficult as I can imagine, since spring rains had allowed the rough to grow while a recent hot spell had allowed the fairways to firm up and run out. With a brisk wind it was very difficult to hold the proper line on the tee shot, and a wayward shot into the rough was impossible to find. I'm very glad I got to play Prince's. The ruin of the old clubhouse was sad to see, and I would think that a refurbishment of that magnificent structure would add to the stature of the club, but by all means play this course and enjoy a top rank links. Richard Smith, Knoxville, Tennessee |
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| 07 August 2008
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| | Wonderful links course. Championship course feel to the fairways and immaculate greens. Each hole is a creative and natural pleasure.
One thing I didnt like though was the depth of the rough. Need a weedeater! I understand they cant cut it because of nesting birds.
If I was a more accurate player, and could hit more fairways, I would love to play here very regularly. |
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| 11 January 2008
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| | I played Prince's for a charity day recently, after the June stretch of abysmal weather. However the sun came out for much of the day, although there was enough wind to really make it a challenge.
My first links experience (Shore & Dunes loops) and I am hooked (although maybe that is just because I played fairly well?). I love "no gimmicks" golf and that is what you find here. Firm fast fairways and firmer faster greens, all in lovely nick.
Only a 5 of 6 because the clubhouse is pretty bland, but a great place to play golf. |
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| 10 July 2007
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| | I played all three courses on a pro-am day and found them really enjoyable. I found the Dunes and Shores the best as they had the heritage and never lacked intresting holes. I found the driving range amusing as you were hitting at oil-barrels, but it was well maintained and perfect for a warm up before the round. I agree with the quote that another reviewer left that the cafe feels a bit tacky. Why not replace it with a few leather sofas and a plasma tv? instead of the table and chairs. The food afterwards was inpecable and really enjoyed my game. I would recommend the course to everyone and will be re-visiting regulary as it is a challenging but enjoyable course! |
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| 09 July 2007
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| | What an amazing place. So friendly and its difficult to describe how good the course is.
A long drive along the private estate has a Wentworth feel and eases you into the fact that your are about to play one of the best courses in Britain ( lord knows how it is rated 79th?)
On arrival you are greeted by the very friendly pro shop staff, then onto the pre-round cafe for an excellent breakfast. Then onto one of the 27 holes for your start. We started on the Shore and played the championship course. Its hard to describe the condition of the course, it's amazing. It wouldn't surprise me if we saw this place back on the Open Championship list in the near future.
Well recommended. |
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| 23 April 2007
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| | A good honest quality links course is Princes. There are three loops of nine but I am sure it will be the nines called Shore and Dunes that make up the best collection of 18 holes, the Himalayas holes apparently are the member’s favourites but that is maybe as the test is slightly less than the other 18 holes. I have played the course twice now and have enjoyed my golf here a great deal. The wind as at all links layouts is key – and the skill required to either hold greens downwind or sometimes just to reach them into, is pure enjoyment. Princes greens are fairly large but appear to have borrows and run-offs in just the right places (or the wrong places more like). Shore no. 6 is a beauty of a par-4, with surprisingly a tight tee shot needed with the green tucked above the level of the fairway level to the left, 4 is a great score here. Overall the Dunes is my favourite collection with the first hole, being a real test – a right to left dog-leg at around 450 yards and the 4th is another 400+ yard par 4 that needs a precise approach. As I said earlier, watch out for the wind – if coming from the North (which is not normal) the last four holes of Dunes will play directly into it – be prepared to be beaten to a pulp over this stretch. A warm welcome always at Princes – and the Kent coast must be visited to take in Royal St Georges and Royal Cinque Ports too. |
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| 04 April 2007
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| | Played this course the first week in Sept on a beautiful day and really enjoyed it. This is another good course to play alongside Royal St. George's and Royal Cinque Ports. The course is very well maintained and the greens were very good. If only all courses put this amount of effort in !! We played all 3 courses but prefered the Dunes course where there were a couple of really good holes that would not look out of place at Royal St. George's. We paid £90 for the day and thought it was good value. The only negative point is 'Jo's Cafe' which caters for the casual visitor during the week - quick food and not very comfortable. It was a shame that we couldn't use the bar upstairs and enjoy views of the course whilst surrounded by history. Would rate it 7/10. enjoy !! |
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| 27 September 2006
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| Response: | | | Rob | 26 January 2007 | | Message from the club: Point taken re: the cafe atmosphere - We have now opened up the first floor restaurant and bar for all golfers. NB. The cafe is still perfect for a coffee and bacon roll pre or mid round though. |
| | | Greens, greens, greens, I think anybody would be pushed to find better greens anywhere. immaculate condition and a good test. Very friendly staff and reasonably priced tasty food. A good alternative to St. Georges and Cinque Ports, at just over half the price of the other two. Make sure you play when there is a gale, what fun!! |
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| 02 April 2006
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| | Played all 27 holes on 1st November in the order Shore, Dunes, Himalayas. Despite heavy rain overnight, when we arrived on the first tee at 10.00am the course was completely dry including the rough which is not unfairly long. The greens are first class - the best I have played on and the fairways are immaculate. The atmosphere of the whole club is friendly and relaxed. We were made most welcome and will be returning before too long. |
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| 03 November 2005
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| | This is not the greatest links course. But there are some great holes. It seems a real shame the course is not played the way it would have been with the old club house. It just feels it would have played better. Also the new club house is a disaster, it is cold, ugly and really detracts from what a lovely traditional place it should be. Shoot the planning people who allowed this. I played all three 9's and I would say the best combination is shore dunes. |
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| 22 October 2005
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| | Prince's had the best greens I have ever putted on, if they were a touch quicker they would be perfect. Beautiful links course which was deserted when we played on a warm spring Saturday afternoon. Play this course if you can! |
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| 07 May 2005
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| | A great day out, greens were in great shape the rest of the course was ok. Probably deserves to be rated where it is. Although enjoyable enough, was missing something. With this much history in the bank deserves a better clubhouse, please move back to the old one, this one resembles a 40 year old travel lodge.! |
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| 25 October 2004
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| | What a pleasure to play. A great welcome at the clubhouse and a great 27 holes of golf awaits all handicappers. Sublime true greens and a nice easy walk. If there's only eighteen in you, favour the Dunes then the Shore to finish. Don't miss the Sunday roast. |
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| 01 June 2004
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