#9 at Royal County Down

[Tommy Williamsen]

When I first played RCD in 1982 #9 was a par 5.  I loved it because I birdied it.  I returned a few years ago and it is a par 4 and I bogied it.  When did it change? I suppose the yardage dictated the change. It certainly is easier to reach in two than #3.

[JMEvensky]

When I first played RCD in 1982 #9 was a par 5.  I loved it because I birdied it.  I returned a few years ago and it is a par 4 and I bogied it.  When did it change? I suppose the yardage dictated the change. It certainly is easier to reach in two than #3.

It was a 4-par on the scorecard in 1999.

[Matthew Hunt]

It was a par 5 during the winter (when there it is usually into a significant headwind) for  Mourne GC members until about 3 years ago.

[Dub_ONeill]

Whether it is a par four or a par five the scene as you crest the dune from the tee remains beyond adequate description.  It is my favorite place on any golf course.

[JMEvensky]

Whether it is a par four or a par five the scene as you crest the dune from the tee remains beyond adequate description.  It is my favorite place on any golf course.

Amen to that.It's not my favorite,but it's not far down the list.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Whether it is a par four or a par five the scene as you crest the dune from the tee remains beyond adequate description.  It is my favorite place on any golf course.

The first time I crested the hill I was totally unprepared for what I was to see.  I had no clue about the steep drop off and stood there transfixed. It was the same way I felt when I came around the corner to 15 at Cypress Point. I felt there couldn't be anything more special, until I made the walk to 16. 

[Jim Hoak]

I think the view from the tee of #9--with the Mountains of Mourne in the background, the heather and gorst facing you, the dunes by the green, and the fairway lying below you--is the magical spot in golf.

[Sean Leary]

The view coming over the hill is unreal. As a hole, I was a little disappointed.

[Dub_ONeill]

The view coming over the hill is unreal. As a hole, I was a little disappointed.

What gave rise to your disappointment?

[Aidan Bradley]

Hope this view brings back a few fond memories. 

[Sean Leary]

The view coming over the hill is unreal. As a hole, I was a little disappointed.

What gave rise to your disappointment?

Not sure exactly. Probably beased upon the expectations of it being one of the best par 4's in the world. I think that I had only seen the hole from the ridge and not from the tee or on the second shot. The landing area is relatively featureless.

I liked the hole, thought it was quite good, but fell short of what I was expecting....

[Dub_ONeill]

Hope this view brings back a few fond memories. 

It certainly does - standing on the dune with pals who have known each other for 40+ years drinking in that scene.  Thank you Mr. Bradley.

[Jim Tang]

Here are a few more pictures.  These bring back warm feelings of a magical place.



Looking left and back from the 9th tee, much of the front 9 is in view.



The blind drive.



The reveal.



View from the fairway.

[Bill_McBride]

When I first played RCD in 1982 #9 was a par 5.  I loved it because I birdied it.  I returned a few years ago and it is a par 4 and I bogied it.  When did it change? I suppose the yardage dictated the change. It certainly is easier to reach in two than #3.

It looks like a par 5 to me with that daunting bunker right on the line to the green for a running shot, the only kind I could ever get there with. 

[Aidan Bradley]

Well done Jim, great photos...........

[Jim Tang]

Thanks Aidan.  That's quite a compliment coming from you.

[Martin Toal]

No. 9 is a hugely photogenic and great hole, although not my favourite (or probably the best) at RCD. I have always had a soft spot for the 13th, par 4 drive into a neck at the side of a hill, hole then turns and opens out to a generous green at the base of the hill. I think the best hole is the 15th, a challenging par 4 with a drive to a slightly elevated fairway, followed by a long second (and possibly a third) to a green with drop offs on both side. A 4 here is walkways a good score.