Northern Ireland’s Royal County Down is routinely ranked among the World Top 5 and never less than first or second among the great clubs of the UK and Ireland for two reasons: the beauty of the setting and the brilliance of the design. Old Tom Morris authored the first 18 hole course here and gets a healthy share of the credit for this masterpiece but George Coombe and Harry Colt also had a hand in it, as have Donald Steele and Martin & Ebert in recent years.  None would dispute however, that the site as it was found with its rugged dunes, natural corridors and hollows, golden gorse and purple heather was destined for greatness.  The ninth stands out among many.  This 427-yard par 4 begins with a blind tee shot to a fairway found eighty feet down a sidehill plunge where two cross bunkers protect a green saddled between two dunes.

Click here for the golf course VIDEO

Click here for the golf course IMAGE GALLERY

Royal County Down Golf Club, Northern Ireland by LINKS Magazine