Founded in 1887, Royal St George’s in Sandwich is one of the great links courses of the world and the only course in the south of England on The Open rota. In 1894 it became the first course outside Scotland to host The Open, and it has staged the championship 15 times since, with winners including Harry Vardon, Walter Hagen, Henry Cotton, Greg Norman, Darren Clarke and, most recently, Collin Morikawa in 2021.
The links is laid out among some of the tallest dunes in English golf and is famous for its rumpled fairways, blind shots and deep bunkers, including the towering bunker on the 4th. The par-3 6th, known as the Maiden, is one of its best-loved holes. Golf fans may also know it as “Royal St Mark’s”, the setting for the famous golf match in Goldfinger.
Royal St George’s sits alongside Prince’s and Royal Cinque Ports on Kent’s championship links coast, around 90 minutes from London. Visitors are welcome on selected days, subject to handicap requirements, so book early.
Course: 18-hole championship links. Address: Sandwich, Kent CT13 9PB
Planning a round at Royal St George’s? See our guide to golf in Kent & Sussex for nearby courses, hotels and tours, or visit the Royal St George’s website.