SOUTH EAST ENGLAND, ENGLAND

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club

An out-and-back Deal links whose inward nine turns into the prevailing wind.

SOUTH EAST ENGLAND Ort
LINKS Course type
18 LÖCHER Holes
PAR 71 Par
TOP 100 WELTWEIT Auszeichnung

Beyond the Scorecard

Course established: 1892
Course designer/s: Harry Hunter, James Braid, Sir Guy Campbell, and Mackenzie & Ebert
Known for: Hosting The Open in 1909 and 1920
Defining feature: Formidable inward nine into prevailing wind
World ranking: #90
UK & Ireland ranking: #29
National ranking: #10

The Long Road Home at Deal

The golf course at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club opened as nine holes in 1892, with Harry Hunter responsible for the design and construction. He expanded it to 18 holes in 1899. Wartime damage later brought major rebuilding: James Braid restored the course before its 1919 reopening, and Sir Guy Campbell led another recovery after the Second World War. Mackenzie & Ebert have guided more recent work.

The routing travels straight out across the Deal links before turning back towards the clubhouse. Large dunes and undulating fairways give the course shape, but the prevailing south-westerly wind defines the return. The last seven holes often play directly into it, placing a premium on balance and controlled ball flight. Hanging lies and firm turf make approach shots more awkward than the open views first suggest.

Royal Cinque Ports hosted The Open in 1909 and 1920, won by J.H. Taylor and George Duncan. The course was due to host again in 1938 and 1949, but severe flooding moved both championships to Royal St George's. Those lost Opens remain part of Deal's identity, alongside a closing stretch regarded as its sternest test.

Why Add This Course to Your Golf Experience

Royal Cinque Ports gives a Kinfern South East England golf experience a World Top 100 links with both Open history and a clear regional fit. Its Deal location allows Kinfern to pair it with Royal St George's and Prince's, keeping three major Kent courses within one focused coastal stay.

The round also differs from its neighbours through the long, wind-facing return towards the clubhouse. For golfers who value firm turf and demanding closing holes, it can become the sternest day of the itinerary.

Course Facts

Country: England
Region: South East England
Course type: Links

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