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I know multiple people who have played more than 2,000 courses in their lifetime.
But I'd be shocked if there's anybody in the history of the world who has played every golf course given official royal status by the British monarchy. This prestigious designation has been given by the royal family to 64 golf clubs around the world. Although most are located in the United Kingdom and Ireland, they can also be found in obscure golf countries like Malta, Kenya, Zimbabwe, India, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.
To receive the honor of being called a 'Royal', the club would normally invite someone from the royal family to be an honorary member, or the club would simply apply for the status. Not every golf course with "Royal" in its name is a true Royal, so it can be a bit confusing. Just know that all the Royals that populate all those ranking lists are the real thing. I've collected all the true Royals in this course carousel if you have the time and patience to scroll through them all:
I'd love to add playing every single Royal to my list of career achievements, but I think age and income are barriers too great to overcome. Nevertheless, I've been fortunate enough to play 12 of them so far, including Royal Portrush Golf Club, host of The Open in 2025, 2019 and 1951.
Where might the Dunluce Links land among my favorite Royals? Keep reading to find out.
This will be one of the toughest course rankings I've ever done. Virtually all of these clubs are among the world's best, and I know many readers won't agree with the order or my logic.
How wrong are my rankings? What's your favorite 'Royal'? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below.
Golf Packages that include a 'Royal' Course
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Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland
![Royal Portrush GC]()
Portrush, County AntrimPrivate![Royal Portrush GC - Valley]()
Portrush, County AntrimPrivateRoyal Portrush lands in my top spot for its mix of playability and scenery. I just love how the links flows. The elevation changes - from the downhill tee shot toward the ocean on no. 5 to the treacherous uphill par 3 at no. 16 called 'Calamity Corner' - there's endless variety and personality to enjoy during the round.
What's your favorite 'Royal'? Let us know in the comments below.
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Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Scotland
![Royal Dornoch: #16]()
Dornoch, SutherlandSemi-Private![Royal Dornoch GC - Struie: #12]()
Dornoch, SutherlandSemi-PrivateI've played Royal Dornoch three times since 2015, and each time my appreciation grows stronger. Imagine playing Pinehurst No. 2's greens in a three-club wind. That's what it feels like getting beat up by Dornoch, although the beautiful setting keeps you from feeling too sorry for yourself.
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Royal County Down, Northern Ireland
![Royal County Down GC]()
Newcastle, County DownPublic![Royal County Down GC]()
Newcastle, County DownPublicGolf Digest calls "RCD" the top international course in the world. Even if I'm not that in that crowd, playing it twice in 2018 was the best 36-hole day I've ever had on the golf course.
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Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Australia
![Royal Melbourne GC - East: #2]()
Black Rock, Melbourne, VICPrivate![Royal Melbourne GC - West: #5]()
Black Rock, Melbourne, VICPrivateI know Royal Melbourne's composite course gets ranked among the top 5 courses in the world, but in my mind, that's cheating. Nobody gets to play the composite course except the pros during tournaments and the members on rare days, so it shouldn't be ranked that way. My 36-hole day playing the East and West 36 holes was fun, but it wasn't the life-changing moment other golfers have told me they've experienced in the Australian Sandbelt.
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Royal Troon Golf Club, Scotland
Troon, South AyrshirePrivate![Royal Troon GC]()
Troon, South AyrshirePrivate![Royal Troon GC]()
Troon, South AyrshirePrivateRoyal Troon's Old Course starts subtly, then turns relentless as the round builds. The "Postage Stamp" at no. 8 is one of my favorite par 3s in the world. I hate all the modern courses that don't build a dynamic and dangerous par 3 shorter than 150 yards. It's one of the big misses of modern architecture.
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Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, Wales
![Royal Porthcawl GC: #1]()
Wales' finest course and host of the 2025 AIG Women's Open this summer was the first bucket-list course I ever played. For that reason, it's a sentimental pick.
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Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, England
![Royal Cinque Ports GC: #6]()
I teed it up on the links known as "Deal" after playing Royal St. George's that morning. It won me over with more character and charm than its more famous neighbor.
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Royal St. George's Golf Club, England
![Royal St. Georges GC: #16]()
Royal St. George's ranks as my least favorite Open venue on this list. It's a fantastic challenge having hosted 15 Opens since 1894. But unfortunately, Royal St. George's lacks the visual stimulation and views I love from the other links on the Open rota.
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Royal Durban Golf Club, South Africa
![Royal Durban GC: #18]()
Royal Durban is another highly regarded Royal that's seen extensive renovations since I played it in 2016. The 2023-24 changes are getting positive reviews, which is good news given the club's incredible history and setting along the Indian Ocean. It hosted the South African Open in February for the first time since 2010.
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Royal Dublin Golf Club, Ireland
![The Royal Dublin GC]()
Located on Bull Island just minutes from the airport and downtown, Royal Dublin had dozens of bunkers removed and the rest restored to the Harry Colt style in 2023. While it doesn't have the dunes of other heralded links, it's still a fabulous walk.
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Royal St. David's Golf Club, Wales
A links in the shadow of a castle? Yep, that's a pretty cool thing. Visiting Wales was my very first golf press trip and very first time to the United Kingdom. Playing links courses like Royal St. David's in 2003 helped launch my love affair with flowering gorse and blind shots.
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Royal Sydney Golf Club, Australia
![Royal Sydney GC: #2]()
Rose Bay, SydneyPrivateI played Royal Sydney, host of 15 Australian Opens (the last being 2016), several years ago, long before the major redesign completed earlier this year. If I ever get a chance to go back - highly unlikely given the club's exclusivity - it could move up this list.
Comments (3)
Great experiences playing the Royals. Been fortunate to have played all 8 clubs (9 courses) in Australia, both in New Zealand and one each in England, Ireland, Scotland and South Africa - 15 courses in all. Royal Melbourne East and Royal Troon my two favourites. Greatest thrill was meeting Christy O'Connor Snr when playing Royal Dublin and having a long chat about his experiences against Peter Thomson - got a wonderful photo with an absolute gentleman of the game.
Great experiences playing the Royals. Been fortunate to have played all 8 clubs (9 courses) in Australia, both in New Zealand and one each in England, Ireland, Scotland and South Africa - 15 courses in all. Royal Melbourne East and Royal Troon my two favourites. Greatest thrill was meeting Christy O'Connor Snr when playing Royal Dublin and having a long chat about his experiences against Peter Thomson - got a wonderful photo with an absolute gentleman of the game.