Royal County Down (Championship) - Down - Northern Ireland

No doubt that RCD is a very special golf course, set at an almost unparalleled scenery and most of the holes are very original.That said, I agree with a previous post that it is too complicated for any player with a handicap of more than one digit: for a weaker player such as me, I find it is all penalty.In my case, a 12 handicapper, playing in a calm and sunny day, my experience was bittersweet as I spent most of time frustrated or looking balls. May be I was ovrewhelmed by the scenery or nerves, but the truth is I really did not get or intuit the greatness of the first 9 holes, of which everyone speaks. In any case, I recognize that this is quite possibly the most spectacular golf course that I have ever faced, and that everything makes you feel special.I hope to return to enjoy it as it deserves but, for now, I can´t give RCD the albatross mark because I find it too penal for most of players.

Well … the day finally came and my round at RCD came true. Since I started to play some of the World Top Ranked courses I really wanted to be here at Newcastle and experience for myself how good RCD is, as words and text were not enough. The round came on the final day of a 24 golfers group I led to Northern Ireland after playing Royal Portrush (Dunluce), Portstewart (Strand), both Ballyliffin (Old & Glashedy), Ardglass and RCD. The round was held on a Friday, but as we stayed at the great Slieve Donard Hotel (adjacent to the course) I couldn’t stand and went on a walk Wednesday, Thursday and even Friday night way after the round to take some more photos in the sun.

I have played Pine Valley, Cypress Point, Shinnecock, Merion, Winged Foot and some more, and all I can say is that RCD comes very close if not better even than Pine Valley. I believe it is a greater course than Cypress and Shinnecock, not only because of design and variety, but also due to the great scenery that surrounds the course with the Ocean, the Mourne Mountains and the dunes plus colored gorse that makes it look totally natural.

We arrived early on the course as the Proshop is a compulsive buy attraction not only for shirts or sweaters but also every kind of souvenir you can imagine as ball markers, glasses, paintings, club covers, logo balls, etc. Many of my group spent quite a bit and will exhibit their sweaters very proudly back in Argentina. The day was not perfect and sunny, but not bad at all as we only had rain on one hole (my 15th!), just wind and not the strong wind a course by the Ocean can have.

The 4 starting holes are as great as you can imagine, regarding #1 is a gentle par 5 where a good driver can give you a birdie chance but the second shot needs to be very accurate. Then 2 and 3 are 2 great par 4s with a very challenging tee shot but as we played downwind a 3 wood was enough. Arriving to 4th hole you find the first monster, 215yds into the wind with danger all around and all I can say is bogey was not bad! Tee shot on 5th is tough to find but once you get on the fairway most of the job is done. 7th the short par 3 is easy, but a shanked PW led me to a very disappointing double! Last 2 par 4s on the front 9 are great where the last one is maybe the nicest hole in Ireland and maybe one of the toughest. When you get over the hill, a picture there is mandatory!

Back 9 went downwind from the great par 3 10th to par 3 14th (another shank and another double!), being 13th another great hole where second blind shot is a great challenge. Last 4 holes into the wind were tough but I managed pretty well, being here finding fairway makes the difference between a par and really big numbers. In 15th, the only hole where we had some rain, I have a great story: while standing there, one of the excellent caddies said “This should be the 1 Stroke Index Hole”. 454yds into the wind was a great challenge and my low cut driver went to the fairway to 215yds to the pin. Then I hit another low cut hybrid with such a good luck that the ball went into the hole and EAGLE!! Finding the cup from that distance is 100% luck!

After finishing the round the walk discovering the Club House is mandatory, there are lots of memories and pictures including one of Rory and Gmac playing on their own carrying their bags just days after the 2010 US Open at Pebble showing great amateur spirit by both of them. A great round and better experience, a must play course, a demanding challenge and the certainty that this course should share number #1 with Pine Valley. Many people will disagree and I can stand with that, but after having walked both of them my feeling is that none of them should be #2, they are timeless and it will be a very tough job to build a course better than these too.

I am a very thankful guy about the luck and honor of having been here and my promise is I WILL BE BACK!!! There should be a seven balls rating and be called UNBEATABLE where RCD and Pine Valley should stand.

Whatever you have heard about RCD, whatever you have read about RCD and whatever you do in golf for the future...............you simply have to arrange to play at RCD.

I had the massive pleasure of playing this truly great course in April. Stunning scenery, with the Mountains of the Mourne in view throughout, massive dunes, and true linksland. I played from well forward, but found it plenty of golf course for this 8 handicapper. 8 and 9 are legendary, but too many great holes to list. I made 3 at 15, and thought I might post a score, then 16, a great risk reward short par 4, got me. Great greens, utterly fair, and beautiful, but very very tough. Two tiny criticisms: I liked 18, though many seem not to, but I thought 17 not just a bad hole, but wholly out of place with all the rest. I also thought the marvellous, rough round the edges bunkers, quite tough enough without the addition of heaps of very soft sand. All in, though, a place every golfer MUST go to.

Best golfing experience I have ever had to put it simply. There are some great deals in winter. friendly staff. I will be back every year!!

This is unquestionably the best course that I have played. I have been fortunate to play some outstanding courses, including Pine Valley, but nothing comes close to RCD, it is truly spectacular. The 9th is utterly breathtaking.

Quite simply one of the best golf experiences of my life. I am a 6 handicapper that played RCD in April 2013. It has an aura that I have felt only at St Andrews and Pinehurst previously. This is an astonishingly good golf course, which is eminently playable with room off the tee and sensible greens. Each hole is a self contained joy with no replication within the course. Views are stunning (I was hugely lucky with the weather) and the design / architecture is flawless. Even the blind shots work at RCD. The only comment from me is that apart from the existence of burns, personally I am not a fan of water on a links course. This manifested iteslf as a triangular pond on 17th fairway. Played Annesley course in the afternoon which was huge fun with a number of the middle holes using the same topograhy as the "big" course. Staff were welcoming and knowledgeable. Every golfer should play at RCD.

Very special course. Spectacular layout, excellent condition, great caddies. Really a flawless course.

I played this fabulous course three times just a few days ago. What a treat! Even in benign conditions it is quite a challenge, but always with a friendly wink in the eye. And the artistry is everywhere. Of the courses I've played it is second only to Muirfield, and that is just maybe. Drop everything and go play RCD!

As a native of Belfast living now in the uk, I have been so fortunate to play at RCD for many years. I played today for only £50 and in 40mph cross winds realised how beautiful this place is. It has to be the best front nine in the world and perhaps the toughest with the wind. If you are lucky for a dry day as I was today the course is a sight to behold. The clubhouse extension and a more visitor friendly environment is most welcome than days gone past. With 7 pars on the first 7 I felt invincible but then 8 & 9 bit. They have to be 2 of the toughest and stunning golf holes you will ever play. I don't like 16&17 but RCD will always be for me the purist a joy to play.