Royal Cinque Ports: 2026 Access and Booking Update
Royal Cinque Ports at Deal is one of English golf's great old championship links, a flat and fearsome stretch of the Kent coast that hosted The Open twice in the early twentieth century and still tests the best amateurs in the game. Here is where the club stands in 2026, how visitor access and booking work, and how to play it.
The news: a two time Open host still in the thick of it
Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, known to almost everyone simply as Deal, sits on the East Kent coast between Sandwich and the town of Deal. Founded in 1892, it hosted The Open Championship in 1909, won by JH Taylor, and again in 1920, won by George Duncan, and that double slice of history still defines its standing. It heads into 2026 firmly inside the top tier of British links.
While the modern Open has moved to longer, more accessible sites, Deal has kept its competitive edge by hosting elite amateur and professional events, and it remains a fixture of any serious East Kent links itinerary alongside Royal St George's next door. The course is the reason the area is one of the densest concentrations of championship links anywhere in England.
The course itself
Royal Cinque Ports plays as a par 72 of up to around 7,300 yards from the championship tees, with forward tees in regular visitor use that bring the numbers down considerably. The land is famously flat, running along the shingle shore behind the sea wall, which means there is little to hide behind and the wind does the defending. When it blows off the Channel, Deal becomes one of the hardest tests in the country.
The greens and the run of the closing holes back toward the clubhouse, often played into the prevailing wind, give the course its reputation as a brutal finisher. It is a links of subtle movement rather than dramatic dunes, and its quality lies in the angles, the bunkering and the relentless demand for control rather than in postcard scenery.
How to play it in 2026
Royal Cinque Ports is a members club that welcomes visitors on weekdays, and for 2026 the access pattern is settled. Visitor golf is generally Monday to Thursday, with the club splitting the week between three and four ball days and single and two ball days, so it is worth checking which format suits your group when you book. A handicap is expected and advance booking is essential.
On cost, indicative 2026 green fees run to around 285 pounds for a round in the April to early October peak, with lower rates in the spring and late autumn shoulders. Treat those figures as indicative for the season and confirm directly with the club before booking, as rates vary by month. Most visitors pair Deal with its Kent neighbours to make the long trip to this corner of England worthwhile.
Our take
Our take is that Deal is essential for anyone who values links golf in its purest, least decorated form. There are no gimmicks here, just a great old course, two Open Championships of history and a finish that will live with you. It rewards the player who can flight the ball low and think their way around in the wind.
If you are building a 2026 Kent trip, the obvious move is to combine Royal Cinque Ports with Royal St George's and the wider Sandwich and Deal coast for a links cluster that rivals anything in the south of England. Book a weekday well ahead, carry your handicap, travel in the firm summer months, and respect the closing stretch.
Plan your Kent links trip
From Royal Cinque Ports at Deal to Royal St George's and the wider East Kent coast, tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge builds and costs the trip, with no obligation.
Questions
What is the par and length of Royal Cinque Ports?
Royal Cinque Ports is a par 72 links of up to around 7,300 yards from the championship tees, with forward tees in regular visitor use. It is flat, exposed and defended above all by the wind off the English Channel.
Has Royal Cinque Ports hosted The Open?
Yes. Deal hosted The Open Championship in 1909, won by JH Taylor, and in 1920, won by George Duncan. It continues to host elite amateur and professional competition.
How much does it cost to play Royal Cinque Ports?
Indicative 2026 green fees run to around 285 pounds for a single round in the spring to autumn peak, with lower spring and late autumn rates. Treat these as indicative for the season and confirm directly with the club before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course, season and access details verified June 2026 from club and golf travel sources; conditions and green fees change, so always confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.