Best Royal Golf Clubs

There are just 64 golf clubs around the world that have a valid ‘Royal’ title bestowed by a member of the British Monarchy, 35 of them are in the UK & Ireland.

With many featuring on The Open Rota, royal courses are well known within the UK and are regularly put on the world stage. Becoming a royal course is a huge honour and one that is a testament to the quality of the golf course, facilities, service as well as its heritage.

With Open Championship host venues, past, present and future, these are courses which will excite golfing purists. So, take a look at our list below and you might be on a royal fairway soon.

As two time host of The Open Championship in 1909 and 1920, Royal Cinque Ports is a truly magical golfing destination on the Kent coastline.

Tall dunes, pot bunkers and a strong crosswind all contribute to the challenge that awaits as you make your way round.

More info on Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club >>

"The contours of the fairway actually gather your ball towards the sand traps so they are really about two or three times larger than they look from the tee."
Sam (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 1)

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The clifftop course at Royal Cromer is perfect for golfers looking for some dramatic golf with brilliant views.

Designed by Tom Morris, the layout isn’t long at 6,500 yards but is still a pure links test and above all else, the club is welcoming, friendly and provides a great golfing experience.

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"Sat on top of the white cliffs of the Norfolk coast combining huge elevation changes with spectacular views, Royal Cromer will reward good shots but punish bad ones."
Tom (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 6)

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Royal North Devon, or Westward Ho! as its commonly known, is the oldest golf course in England, dating back to 1864 and even uses the same fairways to this day.

The course oozes personality with towering dunes throughout and a sharp sea breeze, however it’s returning to the traditional and iconic clubhouse which reminds you of why this course is so special.

More info on Royal North Devon Golf Club >>

"The stretch from holes 4 to 9 contains some of the best golf you will ever play, the blind 4th, the short 5th hole surrounded by bunkers, the views from 6 & 7 played alongside the sea and the beautiful short 8th that feels like it is right on the beach."
Sam (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 1)

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Royal Norwich was founded in 1893 but in September 2019 the course moved to it's new European Golf Design layout. The new par 73 course can be stretched to 7,209 yards from the back tees and is a challenging but fun experience for the visiting golfer.

More info on Royal Norwich Golf Club >>

"The new course setting is great, the fairways are lined with mature Scots pine with some being over 400 years old, this makes it feel like the course has been here for years."
Rob (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 16)

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Since gaining Royal status in 1951, Royal Birkdale has firmly established itself as one of the best golf courses in England, if not Europe.

Providing a pure links test in tough conditions, the course is set up for dramatic golf, something golf fans witnessed first hand in the 2017 Open Championship.

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"Playing into the 17th you appreciate how amazing Harrington's shot was to claim his 2nd Open. From start-to-finish, this is a great day of golf."
Sam (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 1)

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Royal St. George's hosted its first Open Championship in 1894, some eight years before it was granted Royal status by King Edward VII, and after 13 more between then and now, it is set to host again in 2020.

The typical links course demands versatility and intelligence as you play on some of the most exciting and demanding holes in golf.

More info on Royal St George's >>

❝A serious test of golf, regardless of the tees you play off or the wind on offer.❞
Rob (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 16)

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This brilliant seaside layout is renowned for the quality of the course design, something which has been maintained and developed over the years.

A difficult test for all who grace the fairways, Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club is a brilliant destination for golfers looking to play a royal course and an Open Championship venue.

More info on Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club >>

"Get there early and visit the clubhouse to experience the history, you are bound to by a souvenir from the clubhouse too. It begins with a gentle par 3 but beware this is one of the toughest courses in the Country."
Gareth (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 12)

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As one of the oldest seaside courses in England, Royal Liverpool naturally has tonnes of history and heritage behind it; in 1871 the course was extended to 18 holes, paving the way for the royal title in the same year.

The course is rather unprotected which can cause conditions to feel more severe, although elites like Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods have won Open Championships here, so they must like it.

More info on Royal Liverpool Golf Club >>

"A great example of links golf. I think the opening tee-shot (the 3rd when they play The Open) is one of the toughest you'll face."
Rob (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 16)

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Royal West Norfolk is located between Brancaster Bay and surrounding marshes, making it an isolated island when the tide is high. The links course is a delight for golfers of all abilities with amazing coastal views as you play.

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"Check the tide times before you visit, the course is located on a strip of links land that gets cut off at high tide, if you play it at this time you are in for a treat."
Rob (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 16)

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As the only venue outside of England and Scotland to host an Open Championship, Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland did so again in 2019.

The course itself is widely considered as one of the best courses in the world, with spectacular views and an unrivalled layout.

More info on Royal Portrush >>

"Some of the best links views anywhere in the world. A very playable course if you drive it well and somewhere I'd recommend to all, such a great stretch of golf with great apres golf at Ramore in the Harbour."
Tom (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 6)

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Originally designed by Harry Colt, Royal Dublin is the second oldest golf club in Ireland and displays its heritage perfectly to this day. Just a short drive from Dublin city centre, this coastal course is relatively flat for a links course but is by no means easy.

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"With long narrow drives, accuracy off the tee is required while the bunkering and run off areas around the greens means your short game will also be in for a stern test."
Tom (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 6)

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There are fewer golf clubs in the world that have more history than Royal Musselburgh, considered as the fifth club to ever be established, going back to 1774. Over a Century later the club was granted royal status by Queen Victoria and has since been one of the standout venues with that title.

More info on Royal Musselburgh Golf Club >>

"The open fairways are a blessing to the higher handicap golfer and so are the shorter than average par 4's although accurate approaches are still required."
Gareth (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 12)

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Royal Aberdeen is again one of the world’s most historic golf courses and is one of the classic links golf courses. The heavily bunkered course offers almost no protection from the strong coastal breezes and can cause havoc to golfers on the elevated tees in places.

More info on Royal Aberdeen Golf Club >>

"Royal Aberdeen contains some wonderful golfing terrain including a 'Postage Stamp' style 8th hole, it's also a traditional club so remember to take your jacket & tie if you wish to use the liunge or dining room after your round."
Gareth (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 12)

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As a truly legendary links golf course, Royal Dornoch has gained plaudits from some of the most famous golfers in the world, including honorary members Tom Watson and Ben Crenshaw. The beautiful scenery which surround the course make this a memorable round, regardless of how you play.

More info on Royal Dornoch Golf Club >>

"Arguably one of the most underrated top-rated golf courses. I don't know anyone who has played here who hasn't put it amongst their Top 10 Courses they've played."
Gareth (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 12)

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Having hosted one of the most dramatic Open Championships in recent times in 2016, Royal Troon is a simply stunning course. It’s the most recent club in the UK to gain royal status, with Queen Elizabeth doing so in 1978 and features some seriously iconic holes including the famous postage stamp 8th hole.

More info on Royal Troon Golf Club >>

"Everyone knows about the 8th hole but it is the drive and view off the 1st that stands out for me, following in the footsteps of the many great Open Champions who have claimed victory there before."
Sam (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 1)

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Royal St David's is no stranger to hosting prestigious tournaments and has previously hosted Open Qualifying. The course itself is set in a remote part of North West Wales and keeps all golfers on their toes with all holes facing in different directions.

More info on Royal St David's Golf Club >>

"The home stretch from the 14th is almost unrivalled in any course. You start with a partially blind long par 3 then the signature 15th hole and its unparallelled views, to finish unusually on the 18th with a par 3."
Rob (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 16)

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Considered as Wales’ best links course, Royal Porthcrawl is a classic links test for all who visit. Located by the seaside, the course features several typical challenges of links golf, with many holes unprotected.

Having previously hosted the 2004 Senior Open Championship, Royal Porthcrawl is a hugely popular stop as part of a South Wales Golf Tour.

More info on Royal Porthcawl Golf Club >>

"The course leads you into a sense of false security from the first few holes only to take that away with the brutal par 5 5th."
Rob (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 16)

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The Curragh Golf Club in Ireland is listed below as it was granted a Royal title in 1910, but does not use it.

William IV

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Queen Victoria

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King Edward VII

King George V

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King George VI

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Queen Elizabeth II

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Prince Andrew