How many “Royal” golf clubs have actually been given the Royal seal of approval?

Did you know that there are just over 60 golf clubs, spread across 14 countries around the globe that have been awarded the “Royal” title from the British Royal Family?

The British Royal Family has a very long tradition of enjoying a game of golf. While the Kings of Scotland tried to ban the game as it was causing too many interruptions to archery practice, towards the end of the 15th century, things began to change when James VI became James I of England and he began to promote the game south of the border. 

HOWEVER, having the word “Royal” in their title does not always mean that they have been granted “Royal” status. For instance, the Royal Tara Golf Club in Ireland is only called as such because the golf club is near the Hill of Tara, where the ancient Kings of Ireland once lived. Additionally, the Royal Spring Golf Course, India, goes by this name due to the fact that the course boasts four natural springs that were used centuries ago by the Mughal emperors. It is observed locally to be “Royal”.

The Royal Links Golf in Las Vegas, USA, has no “Royal” connections at all. However, this course was built to recognise the traditions of the game. Its 18 holes are inspired by 11 different Open Championship courses including the Old Course at St Andrews, Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, Royal Lytham & St Annes, and Royal Birkdale.

Here is a list of the official “Royal” Golf Clubs around the world and the year they were granted “Royal” status:

Royal North Devon – 1867 by Queen Victoria
Royal Liverpool – 1867 by Queen Victoria
Royal Musselburgh – 1876 by Queen Victoria
Royal Jersey – 1879 by Queen Victoria
Royal Wimbledon – 1882 by Queen Victoria
Royal Isle of Wight – 1882 by Queen Victoria
Royal Montreal – 1884 by Queen Victoria
Royal Belfast – 1885 by Queen Victoria
Royal Ascot – 1887 by Queen Victoria
Royal Eastbourne – 1887 by Queen Victoria
Royal Cromer – 1888 by Queen Victoria
Royal Malta – 1888 by Prince Alfred
Royal Epping Forest – 1888 by Queen Victoria
Royal Guernsey – 1891 by Queen Victoria
Royal Dublin – 1891 by Queen Victoria
Royal West Norfolk – 1892 by Queen Victoria
Royal Portrush – 1892 by Queen Victoria
Royal Ashdown – 1893 by Queen Victoria
Royal Norwich – 1893 by Queen Victoria
Royal Worlington & Newmarket – 1895 by Queen Victoria
Royal Melbourne – 1895 by Queen Victoria
Royal Sydney – 1897 by Queen Victoria
Royal Blackheath – 1901 by King Edward VII
Royal Household – 1901 by King Edward VII
Royal St George’s – 1902 by King Edward VII
Royal Aberdeen – 1903 by King Edward VII
Royal Dornoch – 1906 by King Edward VII
Royal County Down – 1908 by King Edward VII
Royal St Davids – 1908 by King Edward VII
Royal Porthcawl – 1909 by King Edward VII
Curragh – 1910 by King Edward VII
Royal Cinque Ports – 1910 by King Edward VII
Royal Cape – 1910 by King George V
Royal Calcutta – 1911 by King George V
Royal Ottawa – 1912 by King George V
Royal Winchester – 1913 by King George V
Royal Queensland – 1921 by King George V
Royal Adelaide – 1923 by King George V
Royal Port Alfred – 1924 by King George V
Duff House Royal – 1925 by King George V
Royal Hobart – 1925 by King George V
Royal Lytham & St Annes – 1926 by King George V
Royal Tarlair – 1926 by King George V
Royal Mid-Surrey – 1926 by King George V
Royal Colombo – 1928 by King George V
Royal Cape Zimbabwe – 1929 by King George V
Royal Burgess – 1929 by King George V
Royal Fremantle – 1930 by King George V
Royal Colwood – 1931 by King George V
Royal Johannesburg – 1931 by King George V
Royal Durban – 1932 by King George V
Royal Canberra – 1933 by King George V
Royal Quebec – 1934 by King George V
Royal Nairobi – 1935 by King George V
Royal Perth – 1937 by King George VI
Royal Birkdale – 1951 by King George VI
Royal Selangor – 1953 by Queen Elizabeth II
Royal Troon – 1978 by Queen Elizabeth II
Royal Regina – 1999 by Queen Elizabeth II
Royal Marianske Lazne – 2003 by Queen Elizabeth II
Royal Wellington – 2004 by Prince Andrew
Royal Mayfair Golf & Country Club – 2005 by Queen Elizabeth II
Royal Homburger – 2013 by Queen Elizabeth II

Explore the UK’s “Royal” golf courses with a UK golf break.