Along the shores of the southeastern corner of England, in the same neighborhood as the famous White Cliffs of Dover and the setting for Canterbury Tales, is a collection of links golf courses worthy of far more attention than they receive from the traveling golfer. This is all the more puzzling when you consider that among them is a 15-time host of The Open Championship, two former Open venues, and one of the most prestigious and private golf clubs in Britain.
The Claret Jug recently returned to this part of England and brought some much needed limelight to this corner of the country. If you found yourself inspired by the scenes from the 149th Open Championship, here’s where you’d play during England golf trips to the Channel Coast.
Royal St. Georges
What makes the overlooked nature of the Channel Coast so puzzling is that it happens to be home to one of England’s most notable and historic links golf courses. Royal St. George’s was the first golf club outside of Scotland to host The Open Championship. It’s handled the task a total of 14-times, with another on the way in 2021. Harry Vardon and Walter Hagen both won at Royal St. George’s twice. Greg Norman and Darren Clarke also notched popular wins here. And in pop culture, Royal St. George’s served as the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s fictional “Royal St. Marks,” where James Bond famously dueled with Goldfinger on the links. It’s possible that Fleming, who was elected Captain just before he passed away, changed the name to help keep his beloved links free of fans and extra visitors.
To the untrained eye, Royal St. George’s is a rather unassuming affair. Which might explain why the golf match scenes in the movie adaptation of Goldfinger were filmed at Stoke Park near London. But make no mistake… Royal St. George’s delivers a pure and natural links golf experience. The wind vexes the player from every direction, there’s rarely a level stance to be found, and if your drive doesn’t clear the Big Bertha bunker, it could be awhile before your playing partners see you again.
The members of Triple Crown Country Club at Royal St. George’s
Royal Cinque Ports
Although most visiting Royal Cinque Ports as part of an England golf tour may be unfamiliar with it before arrival, the club boasts a long list of devoted and loyal patrons. Commonly known as Deal, and located in the town of the same name, Royal Cinque Ports is practically right next door to Royal St. George’s. The club hosted The Open Championship in 1909 and 1920. Two more were scheduled for 1938 and 1949, but unusually high tides flooded the course before both events, which were ultimately held next door.
A giant seawall was eventually constructed to protect the course from future flooding, but it wasn’t enough to save the club’s place on The Open rota. Still, its connection to the tournament lives on. Royal Cinque Ports usually serves as a qualifying venue when The Open is held down the street.
Credit: Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club
Prince’s Golf Club
In what may sound like a familiar refrain, Prince’s Golf Club is located just north of, and immediately adjacent to, Royal St. George’s. So close, in fact, that were it not for the presence of a wire fence, the confused golfer might easily walk off the 13th green at Royal St. George’s and end up on the 7th tee of the Shore course at Prince’s.
Prince’s is unique for two reasons: It features 27-holes and is the only course in history to host The Open Championship a single time. In recent years, the design firm of Mackenzie & Ebert has carried out a variety of updates to the three nines, including a pair of spectacular new par-3s. But the story of Prince’s will forever be defined by the 1932 Open Championship, where Gene Sarazen famously introduced the world to the sand wedge and took home the Claret Jug in the process.
Visitors can see that history first-hand with a trip to the Sarazen Bunker on the 9th hole of the Himalaya’s course, as well as a tour of the archive room where The Squire’s original sand wedge is displayed.
Credit: Prince’s Golf Club
Rye Golf Club
Long before he left his mark on the likes of Royal County Down and Muirfield, Harry Colt was given his first venture in golf course design when he was made Captain and Secretary of the Rye Golf Club in 1895. Rye plays to a par of just 68, yet is one of the sternest tests that you’ll find during an England golf trip, thanks to a collection of demanding and lengthy par-4s. It also happens to be one of the most private clubs in Great Britain.
Rye is also home to a unique annual competition: The President’s Putter. Each January, the Oxford and Cambridge Golfing Society hosts its annual match-play tournament on the frigid links. The winner is granted the honor of tying their ball to an old hickory putter which hangs in the clubhouse. The President’s Putter is one of golf’s great traditions, but why they decided to host it in the dead of winter is anyone’s guess. When asked why the event is held in January, one past captain of the Oxford side is said to have answered: “It’s in that dead period after the festive season. Nothing else to do, really.”
Credit: Rye Golf Club
There’s no doubt about it: More golf travelers should have the Channel Coast of England on their list. Thanks to the spotlight of The Open Championship, countless H&B travelers followed the advice by planning 2024 golf trips to this venerable stretch of coastline.
Our free guide includes over 30 pages of valuable insight, plus links to nearly 50 additional resources, on Golf and the Good Life in England.
For more insight on planning your golf trip to England, visit the pages below, read our England golf trip reviews, or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.
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