Royal County Down Golf Club — Attraction in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

We played Royal County Down on a sunny and (originally) calm day in early September. The golf course is the most difficult and one of the most beautiful links courses I have ever played and would normally rate 5 stars. But nothing about the venue is normal. The pro shop is absolutely top shelf and while the merchandise is pricey, it is universally very high quality. The course maintenance is excellent, but Northern Ireland has suffered a summer-long drought and the fairways were brown and rock-hard. Additionally, the fairway lies are almost universally very tight. Hitting shots off rock-hard tight lies on a course like Royal County Down, where the greens are brutally difficult and fast, is a frustrating experience. But you absolutely MUST stay on the fairways. The rough is at a minimum a half stroke penalty and gorse and heather abound. The sand traps are equally difficult, usually deep, contain very fine sand and are situated in deep rough and fescue. At Royal County Down, you are regularly faced with blind shots off the tees and on approach. Hitting blind shots into lightning fast contoured greens off of tight lies... well, you begin to appreciate the challenge. Truth be told, Royal County Down is not a golf course for middle and high handicap golfers, given the combination of conditions I have described. Nevertheless, because of the literally breath-taking scenery and the wonderful design, I would normally recommend the course without qualification. Several factors compel a far different result. The club staff were distant, inflexible and arrogant, rating 0 stars. Additionally, although I am 72, I normally walk the courses I play without any difficulty. On this trip to Ireland and North Ireland, I walked Old Head, Lahinch. Connemarra, Portmarnack, Royal Port Rush and Ardglass without hesitation and without any problems. At Royal County Down, I was gasping for breath on several occasions because of the frequent change in elevation. Some of the hills are (or seemed) 45 degrees or more. Finally, when the wind begins as a zephyr and ends in a 35 mph gale and you play the final holes into the wind (a typical experience, I am told) I find myself concluding, in the final analysis that this truly world class golf club is too frustrating for the 15-20 handicapper and not worth...

Playing the Championship course at Royal County Down is a dream come true and a fantastic experience. It’s a golf course that deserves its exceptional ranking as No 1 in GB&I. We booked our tee time in October 2024 for the 24th April 2025 and had to pay in full on booking to secure the tee time. At the time of booking I was told that the tee times were almost fully booked for 2025, which confirms just how popular it is. When we arrived, we checked in with the caddie master and left our clubs with him, before having a good look around the pro shop. We then had some breakfast upstairs in the clubhouse overlooking the course. The driving range is a a few minutes away from the clubhouse. They use a buggy to shuttle players to the range to warm up. We booked caddies who also double up as photographers and generally make the whole experience more enjoyable. The course itself is in pristine condition. We loved every minute....

Wonderful hosts. Golf shop clerks (kids) arrogant. Have had the privilege to play some of the most exclusive in the world and these clerks were full of themselves and didn’t understand their role is service.

Requested via email senior caddies in advance. Club confirmed email. Upon arrival an hour in advance of tee time told the caddies would meet us on the tee at our tee time.no caddies. Waited for ten minutes after our time . Still no caddies and no one from pro shop to advise us. Went back to shop (about 200 yards from first tee) and advised I guess they aren’t showing up. I’ve played at muni courses with better professionalism. I’ve had the privilege to play a dozen or so at least similar courses in Ireland. They could take a lesson from Ballyliffin or the European club in client servicing , though their layout doesn’t quite meet their standards. Overall...