Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland

“Where the Mountains of Mourne Slide into the Sea”—this familiar refrain perfectly captures the beauty of the setting of the incomparable Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, practically at the base of the Slieve Donard, one of a handful of the most elite courses in all the world. In our opinion, only the great Pine Valley in New Jersey rivals Royal County Down in terms of pure, intimidating golf. Each shot simply makes you say “wow!,” or perhaps more accurately, “oh my gosh!.” The huge dunes, deep bunkers, and omnipresent gorse (even now that it’s been trimmed back), combined with the sublime setting, will both inspire and intimidate the visiting golfer. Throw in some blind shots, hit with fear and loathing over what lies ahead over the dunes, and you have one of the game’s toughest tests, simply awe-inspiring. The 9th sums up Royal County Down, the blind tee shot hit directly towards Slieve Donard, the ball disappearing over the dune, gorse waiting both right and left of the fairway. Were we successful? Should we hit a provisional ball? Oh, the anxiousness we feel as we strain our neck approaching the crest of the hill, desperate to find our white beauty somewhere in the fairway! Even if you do find the ball, you’re still 200 yards or more away. One rarely gets the chance to play such incredible golf, and we recommend staying a while, playing at least twice if at all possible!