The Deal course is traditionally laid out on a narrow stretch of land extending to Sandwich Bay, and the natural links terrain has been subtly used to provide a wide variety of challenges. On almost every hole there is an abundance of large sand dunes which establishes the undulating character of the course and makes it unique. Unlike most other courses the fairways are just as undulating and it is seldom that a completely flat stance can be obtained other than on the tees. As with all traditional seaside links, the wind is a major factor which has to be taken into account when deciding on club and shot selection.

The bunkers (66 in total) are large but fair and easily seen from the tees and fairways, and are in the most part steep and revetted. Not all holes have bunkers but this in no way diminishes their degree of difficulty.

On the first and last holes there are water ditches which come into play for the approach shot. As the course runs outward parallel to the pebble beach, this can present quite a problem (often for your foursomes partner, and especially in a left-to-right wind!) - as the sea wall and beach are integral parts of the course. The rough is covered in coarse marram grass which is especially punitive between May and August.

Once the greens have been reached, you will putt on some of the largest, finest and fastest greens in England.

Please take a few moments to visit our hole-by-hole guides. Andrew Reynolds, the Club Pro, has provided tips which will assist you in meeting the varying challenges.

In 2002 the Club was honoured to receive both 47th place in the ‘Golf World Top 100 Courses' and to be included in the ‘Top 10 Favourite Courses' in the Independent National Newspaper.

Francis Ouimet - US Open champion 1913

"I have had the pleasure of several rounds of golf over the Deal course and I think it is without doubt one of the very finest courses that I have ever played."

Donald Steel - Leading Course Architect.

"Royal Cinque Ports typifies classic links golf - a glorious sense of freedom and a wonderfully varied assortment of shots where, as Bernard Darwin once so aptly declared, "the fives are likely to be many and the fours few".

A classic view over the links course at Royal Cinque Ports

Forecast for Southeast England

The Club are indebted to:
Kevin Murray
Mike Harris
Lee Brown
Ann Hannah and
Kevin Evans
for course photography used within this website.