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Royal Cinque Ports, England |
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Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club
Golf Road
Deal
Kent
CT14 6RF
England |  | Henry Hunter, James Braid, Sir Guy Campbell |  | Andrew Reynolds |
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 | +44 (0)1304 374007 |  | 5 miles S of Sandwich |
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Golf Club Website
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 | Contact in advance – Not Wed am or at weekend |  | Martin Bond |
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Royal Cinque Ports, or Deal as it is more commonly known, was founded in February 1892. Henry Hunter, Deal’s first green keeper was appointed shortly afterwards and three months later, a nine-hole course was ready for play. A second nine was soon added. The First and Second World Wars did their level best to obliterate the links, but James Braid restored the course and it reopened in 1919. Sir Guy Campbell later performed a similar role and once again, in 1946, the course reopened. Donald Steel was engaged in an advisory capacity at Royal Cinque Ports. His company is renowned for making sympathetic changes to traditional links courses. But it was Master Greenkeeper and course consultant Gordon Irvine, who appeared on the award-winning BBC programme Coast, who spearheaded the recent transformation of Deal, returning the course once more to a world-class championship links.
Deal is an absolute brute of a links course. Its back nine, or rather the last seven holes, are relentless, invariably playing directly into the teeth of the prevailing south westerly wind. The layout is stark and cheerless – only the sandhills and wild dune grasses provide this narrow out-and-back layout with any real definition. You can expect tight and hanging lies from the fairways, making stances awkward. Let’s make no bones about it – this is a tough course. Make your score on the front nine, otherwise Deal can make even the very best golfers look like weekend duffers.
In 1909, J. H. Taylor – one of the Great Triumvirate – proudly won the first Open ever played at Royal Cinque Ports. The Open returned to Deal in 1920 and made Walter Hagen look decidedly useless. In the lead-up to the Open, Hagen had boasted that he was unbeatable. He eventually ended up in 55th place! The real story behind the 1920 Open focused on two Brits, Abe Mitchell and George Duncan. It’s a story that is beautifully documented by Bernard Darwin in his book Golf Between Two Wars. In those days, the Open was played over two days with 36 holes played each day. After the first day, Mitchell had a six shot lead over his closest pursuer; Duncan was even further adrift, a massive 13 strokes behind. The first round of the final day saw Duncan card a 71 while Mitchell could only manage an 84. Darwin wrote: “His lead had vanished like a puff of smoke”. In the final afternoon round, Duncan consolidated his 71 with a 72, Mitchell could only manage a 76. Darwin’s moral of this story is “that the man to back on the last day of a championship is he who gets his blow in first”.
1920 was the last Open to be held at Deal, despite the fact that it was planned to return in 1949, but sadly the sea breached its defences and flooded the course forcing the 1949 Open to be played at Royal St George's.
We’ll let Darwin close this review: “Golf at Deal is very good indeed – fine, straight-ahead, long hitting golf wherein the fives are likely to be many and the fours few”. | |
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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: |  | | | Had a marvellous experience at Deal in late April. Having played RSG many more times, RCP comes ever closer in terms of the whole experience, on and off course. As some reviewers remark, the price tag reflects that, but ranking does not, yet. Let's see what happens after the Amateur this year... |
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| 16 May 2013
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| | Played RCP in early November and really enjoyed it. The staff were very friendly, the greens in good condition and the closing 7 holes are extremely demanding but enjoyable classic links. I'm not in the habit of giving 6-ball reviews and RCP just missed out (unlike RSG where we played the next day). Don't get me wrong, it was good (some classic and enjoyable holes) but the overall feeling was lacking the wow factor - e.g the opening 2 holes were simply warm-up holes, and the views & surrounds were good but not spectacular (it was a shame that you play next to the sea but you don't see the sea due to the sea-defence!). In our opinion over-priced. |
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| 15 November 2012
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| | Played this course back in Summer 2010 in a 36 hole scracth comp - hoping to again this October. What a place. i think we benefited from a slightly different wind direction that day so the back nine played a little easier but can well imagine what a 'brute' that is into the wind - those hole yardages are relentless. Course was set up immaculate and from the back tees its a great challenge. the fairway bunkers really do cost you a shot, with me at least once having to come out sideways just to get out. The danger doesn't stop when you get to the greens either, the greens were faultless but very quick and quite possibly some of the most undulating links greens i've ever played on, if your puttings not on song you'll struggle on these greens with most of my group three putting at least a handful of times ... plus the occasional 4 putt !! Its not as 'pretty' as some links eg... Turnberry; but the desolete nature of the surroundings only add to the challenge and foreboding nature of the place ... the welcome was friendly enough as well especially in the pro shop and good practice facilties to warm up before you go out to battle with the elements. Well worth a trip, even if the green fee is a little expensive ... |
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| 08 October 2012
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| | A real old fashioned links, undulating fairways and greens, rivetted bunkers and fierce rough a treat for those who love this style of golf. Last 6 holes into prevailing wind a real test, greens fast and difficult to read. Playing 2 balls thankfully means that the game does not take all day, many clubs could learn from this. Not cheap at £130 but great value for money. Pro shop and clubhouse staff very friendly, nice pint of Doombar and good choice of food. Do not miss a stop at the halfway house, great sausage rolls and mugs of tea. Leave them a ball marker from your own club for their collection. I put this place on a par with Brancaster, the highest praise that I could give it. |
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| 23 June 2012
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| | Deal is a truly spectacular golfing experience. Andrew and his staff at the pro-shop are incredibly welcoming and accomodating. The course is always in excellent condition and is a true test of links golf. Holes 2-10 play along the sea wall often with a prevailing wind. You turn for home on hole 11 and the last 8 can be brutal if the wind is blowing. 18 memorable golf holes that will challenge all standards of golfer. My favourite out of the Royal St George's, Princes, Cinque Ports trio. On return to the club, you are welcomed by the members and staff alike. You can opt for an informal sandwich or a full meal in the restaurant. An absolute gem that is well worth the trip and green fee to experience. |
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| 14 March 2012
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| | I have just returned from the mens mid age open. The course was in superb condition and we played it in benign conditions, just a breeze. It was still very, very tough! there are many great holes and they are all punishingly bunkered. you can think that things are going quite well and then bleed shots by missing by fractions. A very nice course but not epic. Not worth £135 by any stretch. Not worth the double the price of last year £100 for the mens open either. Very poor off course facilities, arrogant members and no meal provided after 36 holes. After 10 hours on this brutal course it would not have been too much to ask. every other club manages it. The unctious pro staff pointed out that no short socks with shorts are allowed either.It was blisteringly hot today. Come on Cinque Ports! It's the 21st century now They are one of those clubs that are anachronistic fuddy duddys. It took the shine off the day for me and those I spoke to who had visited felt the same. As guests you get pretty shabby treatment. All the negative perceptions of Golf Clubs are alive and well here. What a pity. |
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| 05 August 2011
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| Response: | | | HarryC | 17 November 2011 | | I think you happened to meet the only members who aren't extremely welcoming and pleasant-of which there are few. I have played here on several occasions and the staff were extremely grateful to have me.Once they let myself and a friend play despite my friend having a handicap which was technically too high to play there. Also, on my last visit, the pro let us return back out onto the golf course for free after finishing our round in 3 hours, we managed another 18 holes for free- i have never come across members such as the ones which you have mentioned, although i'm sure they are there- every course has them but from my personal experience i know that Deal has fewer than most. | | | chris | 27 November 2011 | | i was made aware of the long sock thing before we went, found all members very friendly, the course loved it well bunkerd and up to Carnoustie standard, tough finish into wind, greens well they're another game when you get to them. | | | simonc | 29 November 2011 | | What guff! Clearly his golf failed to stand the stern test of what is one of the greatest links courses in the country and that put him in an ill humour! In 10 years as a Public School member I have had nothing but unfailing courtesy from the staff in the club house, the hut and the pro shop - Andrew Reynolds' welcome is legendary. I have yet to meet a member who has not been most affable both on and off the course. Food is available at the usual times and when it is not, good grub is to be had at the Chequers and many charming hostelries in Deal. The RCPGC is first and foremost about Golf and its traditions and a thoroughly welcoming place. | | | Carl | 17 May 2012 | | This is silly. There are a few courses who want to keep their history this is one of them. Princes doesn't and is a wonderful place as well. I have never had anything but a great welcome there. | | | Mark Chaplin | 29 September 2012 | | 36 holes, lunch and a chance to win prizes for £100. What more do you want?? | | | James CB Lay | 01 October 2012 | | Well guys I posted this review a year ago and I guess it has caused a bit of a stir. Firstly, I came fourth in the mens open and played pretty well if memory serves me well. There were quite a few discussions in the clubhouse about this on that particualar day about that particular event. The course was in retrospect a fabulous challenge and I look forward to playing it again. I dont think that I emphasised how highly I rate this course enough but I did give it five balls, If you want to enter the mens open this year it is on Monday 15th October and I believe is less than £100 this year. I play in many mens opens and the attitude of many clubs is that the entry fee goes on the catering and the prizes and courtesy of the course is given for the day to the players. I remember at RCP being treated like I was lucky to be there and I should be grateful enough for that. It was like a members double medal with a few people from outside to spice it up a bit for them. I am sure all of the above responses are equally valid for their experiences. I like old clubhouses as much as the next golfer BTW. | | | James CB Lay | 01 October 2012 | | Mark, Most courses give courtesy of the course to the players for the day, The entry goes on food and prizes. If they cant put on a mens open properly then why bother? I commented about that paricular event on that particular day, I am sure the rest of the time it is just splendid. The mens open this year is on Monday 15th October and is less than £100.I should emphasise I gave the course 5 balls, its a cracking course. You should play it if you think £130+ for 18 holes is good value. |
| | | This is what Links golf should be, it's almost (maybe) more enjoyable than Royal St George's. Extremely difficult inward nine when the wind is up. The course is fair, it gives you a chance to recover from misses and to score well. Really good holes everywhere you look. Make RCP a must play. |
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| 24 July 2011
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| | Had wanted to play this for a while and managed to get there in Aug 10 via a scratch 'open competition' which got me 36 holes golf off the back tees for only £50 - what a bargain !! but more importantly what an experience !! if there's any weaknesses in your game that you can cover up elsewhere on other courses - RCP's will find it out. the greens are brutal, hitting the greens in regulation on this course by no means guarantee you a par/ or even a bogey, and there are some putts that you could look at all day and still never be quite sure what line to set it off at. the wind direction was more favourable than usual with the 'brutal back nine' playing cross wind rather than straight into it. its the closest i've been to what i can imagine proper links courses/and golf to be like without playing one of the prized 'open venue' courses. the bunkers and rough are a card wrecker with the x2 fairway bunkers i visited resulting in shots out sideways as the only means of getting out - accuracy is the key here, go off track and your score card won't make nice reading, don't be fooled by the gentle starting holes - it gets harder the further you go ... its a course i'd like to play a few times a year, but at over £100 a round in peak season it does feel a little over-priced - its better than Prince's and Littlestone though so in terms of price its probably where it should be considering what they also charge.. |
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| 30 March 2011
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| | I missed out on playing here a couple of years ago due to lightning so I’ve been eagerly awaiting a chance to get back. And I have to say that the wait has been worth it. What a gem of a course and IMHO it is the best links course in the south-east (not that there are many). I played Royal St George's on a previous trip but never got to like it that much but I fell in love with RCPGC very quickly. This is raw golf as it was meant to be played. The club is over 100 years old and everything about the place reeks of history. Yes you can get some unappetising lies on the fairway but that’s how the course was designed. The fairway undulations, the penalising bunkers that can scoop up rolling balls, the fast greens and the occasional blind shot are all the things that make this place a gem. Little seems to have changed here over the last 100 years. This course will test all your shots and more, particularly if the wind is blowing. This is a great place to take visitors to give them a real sense of the origins of golf. Most new courses these days are manicured to within an inch of their lives but RCPGC has stood the test of time and still knocks spots off the modern courses. |
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| 24 August 2010
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| | I played this course back in August 2008 and have to say that this rates up there in my top 5 courses in the UK. 2 days prior we played at Royal St George's and Deal is a far better course in my opinion. Yes it could be longer if it wants to again host The Open but that doesn't detract from what is a fantastic links course. If holes 1 and 2 are a little tame then the 3rd played as a par 4 is pure design genius. A long tee shot required followed by a long iron to a sunken green where you can only hope you have made the putting surface. As most other reviews have stated its a brute from the 12th onwards (18 being a weak finish in comparison to the likes of 16 and 17) however I found the front 9 to be full of character and tough around the greens. We played 36 holes in the day and although I didn't quite play to my H Cap I felt I was 2 or 3 under due to the experience. Clubhouse was great, staff friendly and when I am back in the UK this summer will try and get another 18 down there. For those who have not payed Deal or Royal St Georges I recommend Deal. Cheaper, more friendly and a better layout. Enjoy |
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| 05 July 2010
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| | What links golf should be! Wind, hard running fairways, punishing rough, natural hard undulatinging greens (non of this USPGA standard greens), bunkers that cost you a shot need I go on; just perfect! Oh and the Clubhouse is to die for, nothing fancy just tradition, great views and wonderful panneled winners boards. This is a great golfing experience. There is only one negitive comment I would make and that is the green fee; £110 a round/£140 a day! That is to say it is not worth it when you look at other courses of such quality are charging the same, if not more, but hey guys (and that is to all courses who charge over £100 per day/round) us golfers who want to visit you just do not have the spare money at the moment; I and others are cutting our cloth so why can you not give us some slack. |
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| 02 July 2010
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| | We played Deal recently in a force 6 - 7 Northerly, so I have a wry smile at the many comments on the 'ease' of the front nine. In this wind the homeward holes could be reached with a short to mid iron, but the outward holes were brutal. I hadn't played here for 40 years, but it has changed little, a true test of all aspects of the game, quirky but very fair. The pro shop and clubhouse staff were very friendly, and I think only someone with a major chip on their shoulder would find the club stuffy.
I do have to say that the fairways and greens were not in great condition, maybe due to lack of rain.
Deal should be on any keen golfer's 'must play' list. |
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| 18 June 2010
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| | Royal Cinque Ports, or Deal, is a cracking test of golf. Unfortunately it happens to be placed next to Royal St George's and therefore may be in it's shadow, however for those in the know it is up their with the best. I played there on the 30th March and the course was in the best condition I had played so far that year (until I played at Sandwich the day after…). However the course itself is a true gem. 21st in the Rankings I think is fair as some holes I feel do let it down, especially the opening two holes. However from then on there are also some of the best holes you could find anywhere, 3rd, 6th, 8th, 12th, 16th, 17th, 18th. In fact the homeward stretch from 12 onwards was as tough as you will find (personally harder than at Carnoustie for me!). Unfortunately off the course things weren't quite as rosy… The professional was incredibly helpful, but the atmosphere in the clubhouse was icy. However maybe the storm-like weather had dampened people's spirits. Nevertheless, well worth a visit as it is an excellent course! But I have done it so I don't think I will be back to soon… |
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| 03 April 2010
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| | I played Deal yesterday (not for the 1st time) with my most discerning golfing colleague - we are both approaching the 300 mark of courses played in the UK and this includes most of the top 100. Deal is a most welcoming Club, from the pro shop through to the admin office and bar. The members are very friendly too. As you arrive along the approach road, the course seems somewhat flat and featureless but it does look broody and intimidating, really quite scary in a way. With the temperature at zero and a feash north easterly blowing, it was a tough prospect even off the forward blocks. The 1st seems fairly benign but beware, you could put a big slice through the Bar window! After that, it all gets going very quickly with a spectacular run of holes along side the shingle sea defence wall. Bunkers are very well placed and gather up any ball rolling in their general direction. The greens were excellent given the time of year. They say the course really gets going from 12 onwards but the first 11 holes are seriously OK. Once you are in the course, although fairly flat, there are rolling bumps and hollows everywhere and each hole does live in the memory. Despite the cold, I finished par, birdie, par, par. A most satisfactory finish on a most enjoyable day. I cannot wait to play this course off the back tees in the summer. I suspect, it will a very different finish then! |
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| 27 January 2010
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| | Returned to Deal on 24/12/09.As good as ever, the greens are always perfect. Very welcoming club provided you follow their standards, No slow play here. Front 9 can yield good scores as wind helps but last 7 holes very very difficult especially inti a biting wind. As tough a finish as Carnoustie although the 18th is not as appealing as the others. Definately a top links course, a pity there are so few in SE England. |
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| 25 December 2009
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| Response: | | | Dominic | 25 December 2009 | | Accompanied Robin on the Cinque Ports round on 24th Dec 09. Agree with his comments and would add: the greens were amazing particularly as they were covered by snow 2 days earlier, the ground was very dry considering the weather, easy to book and very welcoming club - Assistant Secretary very helpful, bar staff (Lyn) very friendly. Greens very true and bunkers (unlike Robin I didn't spend too much time in them) well maintained. No ifs or buts - a must visit course. |
| | | RCPGC is a fab course to test yourself on. The holes are varied and the greens wonderfully quick and testing. The terrain means that there is often not a flat lie and you really have to tune in to score well - and you can really get caught out here if you are not on your game. Warm your putter up, play sensibly out of the bunkers and score heavily on the front to make sure that when you turn you have a fighting chance. Loved the 14th and 16th particularly. All in all a great days golfing to be had and a wonderful clubhouse to go with it...cannot wait till my next visit in March. |
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| 14 December 2009
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| | This is a great neck of the wood for golf. Very few corporate types around and three terrific courses - St Georges is the best but this pushes it. The greens are really challenging with great testing runoff areas. We played with our county captain who plays off +1 and even his chipping was found wanting. Very bleak place but a traditionalist's delight. Shame about the wall blocking views of the sea though. Best hole - short 4th. Low point losing to a guy off 1 who prefers The Brabazon. Highlight of the day - seeing some Terry-Thomas lookalike getting into his DB5 convertible with racing goggles on! |
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| 13 October 2009
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| Response: | | | Lennie Scarrett | 13 October 2009 | | I understand the 'purists' liking these sort of quirky courses where one minute your hitting a 9 iron 200 yards and the next you are having to hit a driver to a 150 yard par 3, but much prefer places like The Brabazon, Celtic Manor, Vale of Glamorgan and the like. Guaranteed a well stocked Pro Shop / Golf Superstore, proper yardages on the fairways, holding greens and you can wear all the proper Poulter clobber without the locals turning their noses up! 4 Ryder Cups at the Belfry says it all. Got a trip to The K Club planned to sample another Ryder Cup classic, only €250 for a taste of history and €20 for a pint of the black stuff should keep the riff raff out. | | | stephen voce | 15 October 2009 | | Totally agree!! I was at this course when the secretary turfed out a couple of "White Van Men" for not booking!Reminded me of the old days of "Rabbit" up at Kirby Muxloe - marvellous!! | | | Mark Chaplin | 16 October 2009 | | I think the Belfry held 4 Ryder Cups due to cash and contracts rather than quality of golf | | | Mats | 22 October 2009 | | I´m a purist and I´m proud. I also prefer scotch over umbrella drinks. | | | dan h | 25 October 2009 | | Really enjoyed the course when I played it, very hard but great fun. They are definitely snooty - had to buy long socks to play in shorts but then had to eat lunch on the balcony. But this is a real golf course, not a "mudpile" (TM Old Tom Morris). |
| | | Played Deal on a day when the wind was in the opposite direction of its prevailing direction, which I was told was a good way to set down a good score. And so it went… Despite playing into the wind, the front 9 was much easier. The back 9 didn’t cause troubles length wise, but the numerous semi blind tee shots can be a killer for the first timer like me. I ended up losing 3 balls after what I thought were perfect drives. It’s difficult to pick a signature hole there as all of them are strong but none of them is really top world class. Deal is definitely a big course and feels a big course straight on the first tee, despite not being as manicured as nearby RSG. Reminds me a little of Western Gailes. The greens are huge, undulating, fast and true. A real pleasure to put on. The very friendly staff in the Pro shop mentioned that they were next year putting some new tee boxes to lengthen the course. Is the Open thrill back into Deal’s board members?? Deal is highly recommended to all traditional links lovers. Cedric |
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| 02 June 2009
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| | Was lucky to play here on a calm day, as I can imagine how tough it would be in windy conditions. This is a top links course with no weak holes so its hard to pick out the best, but the three par 5's are very special. The greens are fantastic, they run as true as you could hope for and that's in November!! Some massive undulations, that make you think about every putt. I thought this was a very test fair test of golf and the back 9 wasn't as hard as I had feared!! The only downside to my visit was a lack of course planners which made it interesting of the tee at times. It runs near neighbour Royal St George's close to being the best in the area. |
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| 04 November 2008
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| | I think I read once that Cinque Ports was possibly the world's best "ugly" golf course. I think I now understand. Played it last year and was unimpressed, seemed rather dreary and dull. Played it again recently and now regard it as a gem. True the sun was shining and I had a better day, but it is a course, much like the Old Course, that takes a few rounds to really see the quality. Doesn't get the same accolades as Sandwich, which I think is unfair - maybe not the grand canvas, but a harder course and among the most sophisticated greens in the world. |
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| 20 October 2008
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| | Deal is a great course and in excellent condition. I'm not a big fan of the first couple of holes which play close to the road and public footpath, but after that there are some terrific holes, especially the famous back nine. |
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| 18 October 2008
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| | Having played links golf in Scotland I was looking forward to my first links experience in England. Must say that I was a tad dissapointed. This is a good but not a great course, if compared to Scottish gems like North Brewick, Machrihanish and the Machrie. The third to fifth holes at Deal are very good, but the rest are a bit bland, and although the finishing holes are as tough as everyone says, they are all a bit similar. All in all a good day out though! Kem Westdyk, South Africa |
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| 17 October 2008
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| | I am lucky enough to be a memeber of this course but unlucky in that my work means i live in America. Its not that i don't like american but after family this course is the one thing i miss most about living away from England. The air is always so clean and crisp and the welcome warm. I would recommend it to anybody. Yes i am biased and i am happy to admit that but will be surprised if you go and don't enjoy it. The last 7 holes are the hardest 7 holes in a row i have ever played and yet still very very enjoyable regardless of the wind! The greens are in great condition, perfectly sculpted and a real test. You walk into the clubhouse at the end knowing it was a stern and yet fair test and whatever the score it is fun.
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| 02 October 2008
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| | I have wanted to play Deal for a long time and it was worth the wait. This is a championship quality links. The greens are very tricky and well designed, and the course offers up an infinite variety of challenges. The first hole is reminiscent of the first at the Old Course in St. Andrews, with a burn adjacent to the front to the green. We played the third as a 453 par 4, which was quite a challenge with a front pin and the steep slope in the front of the green. The 6th is a driveable par 4 for the the bold at heart, and 9, 10 and 11 are beautiful gentle dog-leg par 4's. The heart of the matter starts at 12, especially when you turn into the prevailing wind as we did. Par's are hard fought coming in, even on my favorite inward hole, the par 5 16th, which demanded an accurate drive and then an approach over a steep bank to a rolling green. This was great links golf. To top off the day the secretary kept the bar open late to allow us a pint after the round. Apparently there are plans to stretch Deal out to 7300 yards, and there is plenty of room to do this. Could an Open championship return after a 90 year absence? I believe a lengthened Deal would be worthy of consideration. This is a great course that any lover of links golf needs to play. Richard Smith, Knoxville, Tennessee |
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| 08 August 2008
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| | Please tell me what the fuss is about Sandwich?? Played Royal St George's one day and Deal the next and Deal won by a country mile and that is not because I played better - actually played worse Stark and cheerless it may be, but my heavens what a course - long and brutal, but oh so interesting, epecially around the greens which leave the St George's green complexes in their dust. And to cap it off a far friendlier and more welcoming place that actually recognises the existance of women. Why is the Open not being played here??? |
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| 27 June 2008
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| Response: | | | David Dean | 12 September 2008 | | Couldn't agree more - played there last Friday in horizontal rain but as you say what a course especially around the greens - Royal St George's is tame by comparison - Deal is like a cross between St George's and Ballybunion in that it is more sculptured than St George's. |
| | | Played this great course last week greens are in fantastic condition running at about 11. Course was in fantastic shape, new bunkers are being added to make it the ultimate test. I recommend this highly and is definately worth a visit. |
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| 08 March 2008
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| | I regularly play RCP and find it a challenging course, with long par 4's( the 3rd is brutal in a left to right wind with a blind second to a tough green) and good par 3's. The greens are normally in good condition, running true, but the pot bukers in the fairways make it hard to reach the green. The last seven holes are a challenge to good players, where you are looking to keep the score made on the front 9. The 6th hole is tough downwind if a short teeshot is made because of the elevation of the green(about 15ft). It is a short hole but good none the less. It is much tighter and more challenging off the backs than the neighbour Royal St George's, which has a lot of room and quite generous fairways. If RCP does get to hold the Open, and with a bit more yardage it will be a tough test even for the best in the world. |
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| 28 October 2007
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| | I have played many links courses throughout the British Isles and I have to rate RCP in my top 3 after Kingsbarns and Royal Dornoch. The layout is exceptional and feels very natural, the holes are all pretty tough, but fair with cleverly positioned bunkers and the par 3s are all gems. I played it in May 2007 and the greens and tees were in excellent nick with the fairways being very typical hard links tracks. I would thoroughly recommend this course to any lover of links golf. |
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| 25 June 2007
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| | I am over in the UK on business. Since this was my first time here I was going to go play St Andrews or Kingsbarns but my schedule did not allow it. I was then going to play Royal Lytham St Annes or Royal St George's but could not get on either. I then saw and read about Royal Cinque Ports. The staff were very friendly and I ended up having a nice discussion with the assistant professional. The first few holes were rough and I didn't think much of the holes but something happened around about the 4th hole and all of the sudden I got it. I thouroughly enjoyed the rest of the round after I stopped trying to play American target golf and let the course dictate what shots I could play. The wind was blowing at about 40MPH and the back nine was brutal. My best hole was the par 3 14th playing 222 into the wind. I played the shot about 30 yards right of the green at the set of bunkers and let the wind bring it back with a hybrid. The ball hit the stick and I had a 20 foot putt for birdie. The greens looked furry but putted fast and true. The course was in great shape and was fast even though there had been rain lately. The clubhouse is nothing to write home about but your not playing this type of a course for its new bathrooms. Make the drive and go play Royal Cinque Ports. There is talk of the course getting The Open and I hope it does. There is plenty of room and if they need to they can add length through new tees. |
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| 19 May 2007
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| | Returned here recently after about five years and although the weather was typical January, the changes to the course are really noticeable. I believe that they are into a five year plan to bring the course back to the links quality of days gone by. The new bunkers are starting to look really good and the best example is probably at the short 8th, where the green is now more or less surrounded by revetted bunkers - looks good. Love the 6th hole - pretty short but very hard...Nice people at RCP all doing their best to give a warm welcome to visitors (much needed in January). |
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| 25 January 2007
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| | Played this course the first weekend in sept and really liked it. As others have said it is a classic links course. Would recommend everyone playing it and rate it as 8/10. We paid £100 for a day ticket and played 2 rounds without any hassle in glorious sept weather. The course has been improved of late which is why we found it more enjoyable than others in the past. The course is preparing itself for hosting the 2008 Seniors open so it should be even better next year (i.e. 2007).
No weak holes only good and very good holes. Would not hesitate to play it again. Enjoy !! |
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| 27 September 2006
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| | This is a truly first class links and should certainly be ranked higher on any list. The course has a tremendous history of Open Championships and Amateur Championships and its fearsome reputation is well deserved. The front 9 isn't excessively long and it is here that you must try and make your score. My favourites were the 3rd and the 6th which at 325 yards is a hole that proves that length isn't everything! From the 12th the stakes are raised and the homeward stretch is absolutely brutal though great too!! 7 holes measuring almost 3000 yards and with a par 28, generally played straight into the wind. Let's hope your first 11 were good, cause now you have to try and hold a score together as you plot your way over some wonderfully undulating linksland and across some absolutely superb rolling greens with some terrific borrows. This is links golf of the highest calibre and the 15th, 16th and 17th wouldn't look out of place on any of the courses of the current Open Championship rota.
Top class championship links golf at a reasonable price. Wonderful! |
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| 27 August 2006
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| | New tees and refurbishment of Deal's bunkers have really improved this great course. Tough but honest the club are really improving the condition of the course and but for a strange GM rating in the 100's, Deal should surely be higher in these ratings. Well worth a visit especially on a County Card making a great value day out. |
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| 17 March 2006
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| | I played this course back in the autumn and it is a great place to visit with lots of history. Although I must say when you arrive and stare out from the upstairs lounge it looks pretty un-inspiring. However after the first, a good hole in it's own right, things get more exciting. In effect the course is hour glass in shape and the bit in the middle is quite dramatic with fairways and greens draped over the dunes. It is also true as every says that the last six holes are a real challenge even with no breeze. (We followed a tip from a member and exited the course to have lunch in the local pub and it is very very good with some great fish dishes). There is a temptation to compare this with the other royal in Sandwich, however I think it is wrong to do that as they are subtely completly different courses. A really pleasant day out I'd recommend a trip down from the big smoke any day. |
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| 02 February 2006
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| | What a great experience at RCP, friendly people and a fabulous golf course with a brutal last six holes back to the clubhouse. Played dozens of the great links courses across the British Isles and this is in my top 5 for sheer condition and enjoyment. |
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| 23 January 2006
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| | Wow, links golf as it should be played. If you want towering dunes and scenic beauty forget Deal, however those students of links golf who thrive on tight lies, rolling fairways, deep rivetted bunkers and quick true greens will have a day to remember. This classic venue is true to the original values of the game, don't miss the experience. |
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| 26 August 2005
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| | It may be tough, in fact when the wind is blowing, you will not find a harder back nine anywhere this side of Scotland. What lets it down is the condition, it can sometimes resemble a public course and it generally looks unloved. I must say that the new tees have done wonders to several of the holes but it needs something more if it is either going to get an Open or catch up with its more famous neighbour. |
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| 05 November 2004
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| | What a fantastic golf course. Played at the Royal Cinque Ports in the first week of October this year and what a delight it was. Greens were in great shape and the overall condition was good. Fantastic elevated tee positions ensure great views towards the undulating fairway landing areas. With a little TLC this course could in my opinion host an "Open". Much more interesting that its near neighbour Royal St George's. |
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| 25 October 2004
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| | Playing on a bright and breezy day off the back-tees this course provided everything that you'd expect from a classic British links golf course, without maybe some of the aesthetic charm of some others that I have played. The back nine is a real test with a number of 400yd+ par-4's all playing into the prevailing wind. The course has serious rolling fairways and wonderful greens, however I was also somewhat disappointed that in a number of places the grass was patchy around tees and in certain places on the fairways. All in all a great fun though! |
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| 03 September 2004
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| | Played it on a calm summer's day and first impressions are that RCP is stark and cheerless. Goodness only knows what this course is like in the middle of winter...scarey I reckon. Without doubt it's a great links course - the design is masterful...bunker placement cruel. The greens and the approaches to the greens are alarmingly undulating...dozens of elephants have surely been buried here. My only critisism is the condition...some of the fairways and tees were scabby on our visit, despite the fact that we've just had one of best grass growing summers ever. |
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| 31 August 2004
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