Royal County Down — Championship Links
The Old Tom Morris links beneath the Mountains of Mourne — regularly rated the finest course on earth, and playable by visitors on set days.
Royal County Down — Championship Links in photos
Can I play Royal County Down — Championship Links?
Yes — Royal County Down is a private members’ club that takes visitor tee times on set days (typically all day Monday, Tuesday and Friday, plus Thursday mornings and Sunday afternoons; no visitors on Wednesday or Saturday). You book ahead as a green-fee visitor.
How to book: Book directly with the club well in advance — the visitor tee sheet for the following season usually opens in spring and prime summer slots fill immediately. A handicap certificate is expected, and Golf Ireland or society rates may be available on request.
About Royal County Down — Championship Links
Royal County Down is perennially ranked among the best courses in the world — often number one — a wild, dune-clad links laid out beneath Slieve Donard and the Mountains of Mourne on the shore of Dundrum Bay. Old Tom Morris set out the first holes in 1889 for a handful of pounds, and the layout was later refined by George Combe, Harry Vardon and Harry Colt into the fierce, gorse-lined test seen today, complete with blind drives and bearded, marram-fringed bunkers. It has hosted the Irish Open and the 2007 Walker Cup but, unusually for a course of its stature, never The Open. It remains a members’ club that welcomes visitors on designated days, so travelling golfers can experience it — booking far ahead is essential.
Signature hole
The par-4 9th — a blind drive over a marram-crowned dune to a fairway framed by Slieve Donard and the Mountains of Mourne.
What makes it special
World number one
Routinely tops global course rankings.
The Mountains of Mourne backdrop
The blind par-4 9th plays straight at Slieve Donard.
Old Tom Morris links
An 1889 layout of blind shots and bearded bunkers.
Tournament pedigree
- Irish Open (1928, 1935, 1939, 2015, 2024)
- Walker Cup (2007)
- Curtis Cup (1968)
- Senior Open (2000)
Need to know
Best time to play
May–September for daylight and drier turf; the gorse is spectacular in early summer.
Dress code
Smart golf attire — collared shirt, tailored trousers or shorts, soft spikes; no denim. Smart-casual in the clubhouse.
Good to know
Routinely ranked the world’s number-one course; blind shots and towering dunes make a caddie invaluable on a first visit. Allow around 4.5 hours.
Upcoming golf tournaments
Prefer to watch the world’s best? Book tickets to an upcoming tournament, then add a hotel and flights.
Getting there
Nearest airports
Belfast City (BHD) ~1 hr; Belfast International (BFS) ~1 hr; Dublin (DUB) ~1 hr 45.
On arrival
In Newcastle at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, about 30 miles south of Belfast via the A24, on the shore of Dundrum Bay.
Stay near the course
The Slieve Donard Resort & Spa sits right beside the links; Newcastle town and the wider Mournes offer other options.
★★★★★ 5-starTap for live prices Slieve Donard Hotel
Newcastle
★★★★★ 5-starTap for live prices Scion Hill Gate Lodge
Kinallen
A taste of the luxury stays near Royal County Down — Championship Links — tap any hotel to see live availability and prices for your dates, or search them all.
Plan your golf trip
Hotels near the course
Live-priced stays a short drive from the 1st tee.
Search hotelsFlights
Get to Newcastle — search fares to the nearest airport.
Find flightsTournament tickets
Rather watch the pros? Book golf tournament tickets.
See golf ticketsThings to do
Tours and experiences around Newcastle.
Explore NewcastleFrequently asked questions
Can visitors play Royal County Down?
Yes — visitors are welcome on set days (usually Mon, Tue and Fri all day, plus Thursday mornings and Sunday afternoons; not Wednesday or Saturday). You book ahead as a green-fee visitor.
How much does it cost to play Royal County Down?
Indicatively around £450 for a peak-season Championship round, with cheaper winter and shoulder rates. Confirm on the official site.
How do I book a tee time?
Directly with the club, as far ahead as possible; the visitor tee sheet opens in spring and top summer slots go quickly. A handicap certificate is expected.
When is the best time to play?
May to September for the weather and daylight, with the early-summer gorse in bloom a particular highlight.
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Golf guideSources & pricing note
Green fees, access rules and tee-time policies change frequently and vary by season. The figures here are indicative for trip planning — always confirm on the official site before booking.
Hero image: Ian Blair, CC BY-SA 2.0 — via Wikimedia Commons
Guide updated 2026-07-27.