Royal County Down Golf Club

Royal County Down — the Mourne Mountains links where lines disappear into dunes

The course stretches between Dundrum Bay and the Mourne Mountains. The gorse-covered dunes frame fairways that are often blind, creating one of golf's most recognizable landscapes.

The club was founded in 1889 in Newcastle. The original course was quickly extended to eighteen holes with the intervention of Old Tom Morris, followed by George Combe, Harry Vardon, and Harry Colt, who all contributed to its evolution.

The architecture is based on diagonal lines, natural bunkers, and tee shots where the landing area is sometimes out of sight. The more understated greens reward good positioning.

The first nine holes offer several famous views, but the difficulty remains constant through to the back nine. The gorse makes lateral errors very costly.

The formal historic club sits in Newcastle with the Mourne Mountains present throughout the round.

Founded in 1889; contributions by Old Tom Morris, George Combe, Harry Vardon, and Harry Colt; host of the Walker Cup and the Irish Open.