Twice an Open Championship venue, having hosted the world's best tournament in 1909 and 1920, Deal, which is formally known as Royal Cinque Ports, is as rugged as it is charming. The course's unique character results primarily from the monumental sand dunes that rise imposingly alongside the pristine fairways, where a level lie is rarely assured.
A typical Cinque Ports experience is to have two very contrasting loops of nine holes. The first nine often plays into the wind (except the first hole which runs in the same direction) meaning many of the shots on your handicap will be lost before you head back down wind to play the final nine. The closing holes 7 holes include 3 very testing par 4's all around 450 yards, whilst many scorecards have come undone playing the 221 yard par-3 14th which has three bunkers waiting for any shot right of the green while anything short will meander its way left of the putting surface, anyone making a par here will walk off with a smile on their face!
Deal has long been widely acclaimed, culminating with an appearance within Golf World's top 100 courses worldwide. There are two fundamentals for good scoring here: firstly, avoiding the rough, which is extremely penal during the summer months, is essential, and the subsequent challenge is to master the legendary greens, which are among the largest and fastest in England.
While Royal Cinque Ports may not be on the modern era Open Championship rotation, it remains a firm favourite with seaside golf enthusiasts, and is a sure highlight of any golf tour on the Kent coast.
Course Information
| Par |
71 |
| Designed by |
Henry Hunter, James Braid, Sir Guy Campbell & Henry Cotton |
| Opened for play |
1892 |
| Previously hosted |
The Open (1909 and 1920), Amateur Championship (1923, 1982 & 2013) |
Tees
| Black |
7,245 yards |
SSS 75 |
| White |
6,924 yards |
SSS 74 |
| Yellow |
6,501 yards |
SSS 72 |
| Blue |
5,480 yards |
SSS 67 |
| Red |
5,641 yards |
SSS 73 |
Royal Cinque Ports is ranked as one of the best courses in England
The Open history at Royal Cinque Ports
Royal Cinque Ports was the third English course on The Open rota and has held The Open twice.
| Year |
Winner |
Country |
Score |
| 1920
| George Duncan |
Scotland |
303 gross |
| 1909
| John Henry Taylor |
England |
291 gross |
How to get to Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club
Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club is situated 2 miles north of Deal train station off the A256.
Address: Golf Road, Deal, Kent, England, CT14 6RF
