About the course
Royal Cinque Ports, or Deal, was founded in February 1892. Shortly afterwards Henry Hunter, Deal’s first superintendent of greens, was appointed and three months later the nine-hole course was ready for play. A second nine was soon added.
The First and Second World Wars tried to destroy the course, but James Braid restored the course and it reopened in 1919. Later, Sir Guy Campbell undertook a similar task and the course was reopened in 1946.
Deal is an absolutely brutal links course. Its back nine, or rather the last seven holes, is relentless and is always played directly into the prevailing south-westerly wind. The layout is austere and bleak – only the sand hills and wild dune grasses give this narrow out-and-back layout any real definition. From the fairways, you can expect tight and overhanging lies that make positions difficult. Let’s not kid ourselves – this is a tough course. Make your score on the front nine, otherwise Deal can make even the best golfers look like weekend buffoons.
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| World ranking | 93 |
| Architect | Henry Hunter |
| Year of foundation | 1892 |
| Par Course | 72 |
| Number of holes | 18 |
