Princes

An Open legacy with modern flair. Prince’s is a pure links challenge, reinvented with bold bunkering, wild contours, and knockout scenery.

Slope Rating

139 Par

72 Yardage

7,145

Prince’s Golf Club is one of England’s great comeback stories. Once host of The Open (1932), it was heavily damaged in WWII and long overlooked. Today, thanks to major investment and inspired restoration by Martin Ebert, Prince’s is firmly back among the elite. Of its three nines, Shore and Dunes form the championship 18 – a wild, varied, and compelling links layout. Shore runs close to Sandwich Bay, with natural sea views, rumpled fairways, and expansive bunkering. Dunes is more rugged and shapely, with bold green complexes and aggressive contours. Together, they deliver a top-class links experience – fair but testing, modern yet traditional. Greens are firm and fast, and the rough is punishing if you stray. The loop is more open and forgiving than Royal St George’s or Cinque Ports, making it popular with a broader range of players. The closing stretch – especially the par-5 15th and short 16th – is thrilling. This is not second-tier golf. This is links golf on the rise.

Designer

Originally Charles Hutchings & Percy Lucas (1906); modern renovations by Martin Ebert

Opened

1906 (restored and modernised 2018–2020)

Tee time availability

Good

Special information

Part of The Open qualifying rota. More accessible than its famous neighbours. Stay-and-play packages available via The Lodge at Prince’s.

Tiger’s best round

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Rory’s best round

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Mens course record

64 – Club competition (post-renovation)

Ladies course record

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Round duration

4 hours 30 minutes

Caddy guide

Optional – useful for green reading and shot planning in wind

Buggies

Available – permitted year-round with advance booking

Tactically demanding. Firm fairways and bold green surrounds test control and touch. Greenside run-offs make short game finesse essential. Be bold where the course invites it.

A more forgiving Open-qualifying course. Stay in play off the tee and avoid bunkers. Use the ground game into greens – aerial approaches aren’t always best.

Challenging but fair. Wide landing areas and visible lines help confidence. Play for position and don’t chase hero shots. A brilliant introduction to serious links.

Green speed

10 – firm, fast, and coastal-classic

Wind

Prevailing coastal breeze always a factor. Club selection can vary 3–4 clubs depending on direction

Pace of play

Good – well spaced tee times and helpful marshals

Nerves on the first tee

Low – flat, friendly opener with space to swing freely

Clubhouse

Modern and coastal-chic – warm hospitality with an excellent terrace and views

The 5th on Shore is a brilliant par-3 framed by dunes and bunkers. The 15th is a heroic par-5 offering a big finish. The 16th, a short par-3 with a raised green, has ruined many scorecards. The closing hole back toward the Lodge is scenic and satisfying.

Exposed east coast links – drier than west, with firm, fast turf and consistent breezes. Summer brings perfect conditions; autumn is beautiful with a bit more bite. Winter is playable, but breezy.