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Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club in Kent is a regular feature within the UK and Ireland's Top 100 Golf Courses. This past host of The Open Championship has welcomed the world's very best golfers throughout its rich history.

Extending out towards the Sandwich Bay, Deal is a traditional seaside course that takes advantage of the same magnificent turf as Royal St George's, and together these two Royal courses formulate a marvellous tour for lovers of seaside golf.

With a front nine that is typically played into the wind and the back nine enjoying a following breeze, Cinque Ports is truly a game of two halves. Anyone playing to their handicap at this fantastically designed Kent golf course is one that'll be sure to take the spoils on the par-72 that can have a SSS of 76 from the Championship tees.

With 18-time Major Champion Jack Nicklaus amongst past winners at Royal Cinque Ports, check out the honours board as you walk into the clubhouse, you'll be in for a links golfing treat that few golf courses anywhere in the world can compete with.

Golf Courses at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club

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.

Royal Cinque Ports is ranked as one of the best courses in England

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

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.

The Open at Royal Cinque Ports

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

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a range on site?

Yes

Are there buggies available to hire?

Yes

How much is the fee for the caddies?

£40 plus discretionary

Are there any weekend golfing restrictions?

Members only until 12:05pm

Is there a charge for car parking on site?

There is complimentary car parking