Royal Cinque Ports, often simply called Deal, is a stern and underrated Open Championship venue just a few miles from Royal St George’s. It hosted The Open in 1909 and 1920 and was set to host more – but fierce coastal weather forced its removal from the rota. That tells you everything. Deal is one of the most demanding links courses in Britain. The front nine plays downwind and gives hope. The back nine turns directly into the wind and is among the toughest closing stretches in the UK. The fairways are firm and narrow, flanked by dunes and ridged rough. Greens are raised, fast, and subtly contoured – with plenty of run-offs and punishing surrounds. It’s traditional in routing and presentation – no trickery, no tricks, just pure links golf. When the breeze is up, and it usually is, it plays every inch of its 7,200+ yards. Loved by serious golfers and professionals preparing for The Open, Royal Cinque Ports is raw, uncompromising, and glorious.