Royal Worlington & Newmarket GC clubhouse
Royal Worlington & Newmarket Golf Club was founded in 1853 and is located in the middle of nowhere in Suffolk, England.
The small 40 acre sand based tract of land the course occupies is reminiscent of a classic links by the sea, but there is no ocean nearby.
The course itself has been little changed in a hundred years- the latest signiifcant changes being when Harry S. Colt remodelled the 9th hole in the 1920's!
Over the years the course has gathered fame worldwide- some rate it 'the finest nine holes in golf', or the best nine hole course, but my favourite 'nom de plume' for Worlington is 'The Sacred Nine', a term coined by Bernard Darwin a century ago.
To play Royal Worlington is to go back to golf's early days.
The clubhouse, the set up of the bar, and the trench like cross bunkering on the course- all bear little resemblance to the modern golfing facilities. The preferred format for golf is twosomes or foursomes- it is a lovely way to play golf.
For true golfers it will feel like going home..
All Travelling Golfer's should make the pilgrimage to play 'The Sacred Nine'
Notable holes include:
- hole 3, a shorter par 3 pinched at driving length by a bunker left and water hazard right. The green is protected by two bunkers and the green movement demands an accurate short approach. The hole is recognised by Golf World magazine as one of the great golf holes of the U.K.
Royal Worlington GC- hole 3
- hole 5, a mid length par 3 with a mean streak. There are no bunkers, but a par here is a wonderful score.
It is the standout hole at Royal Worlington and recognised by Golf World magazine as one of the great golf holes of the U.K.
Royal Worlington GC- hole 5
- hole 9, a delightful finishing hole, a short version of a "Cape Hole", where the driver must choose how much burn to take on, and lovely green setting in front of the old clubhouse.
Royal Worlington- 18th green & clubhouse
We rate 'The Sacred Nine" as a "Travelling Golfer must play!"
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