Royal County Down Golf Club

Royal County Down is located in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful settings in the Murlough Nature Reserve. Against the magnificent backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne, the links stretch along the coastal shores of Dundrum Bay, zigzagging back and forth to provide a different vista from virtually every hole.

The fairways are surrounded by purple heather and golden gorse, so beautiful to look at but so punishing for any who may stray from the prescribed path. The ‘bearded’ bunkers are world famous and feature overhanging lips of marram, red fescue and heather. The greens are fast and many are domed, rejecting any shot lacking conviction. This is a true test of any player’s command of the traditional bump and run, the preferred way to play any golf links.

The ninth hole is one of the most photographed holes in world golf. A 486 yard par 4, it is played from one side of a huge mound down to a fairway some 60 ft below and 260 yards from the tee. From the bottom of the slope, the second shot is played over two bunkers to a raised green.