Royal County Down dress code

[makaveli]

Hello guys,

I will be playing RCD in May and I was guessing about the dress code in the club house: do I need to bring jacket and tie? Can I arrive at the course with golf attire? On the website there is a section that explains how you should be dressed to play, but it does not explain how it works inside the club house.

Thank you for your suggestions
imak

 

[Snelly]

You are fine in the bar in smart casual. No jacket and tie required although that might be different if you wanted to have a meal - not sure. Always just had a sandwich or soup in the bar when I have been at the club.

Good food at Slieve Donard next door by the way but they don't sell Guinness. Not an issue though as it is a cracking pint of the black stuff at RCD in the clubhouse.

 

[North Mimms]

Hello guys,

I will be playing RCD in May and I was guessing about the dress code in the club house: do I need to bring jacket and tie? Can I arrive at the course with golf attire? On the website there is a section that explains how you should be dressed to play, but it does not explain how it works inside the club house.



Thank you for your suggestions
imak

Played there a couple of years ago.
We all turned up in golf gear, and had snack lunch in bar afterwards still in gear (obviously without golf shoes and hats and wet gear). I assume they have a formal dining room but didn't see it

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

You may not actually be allowed in the clubhouse

There is an artisans clubhouse next door and depending on what kind of mood they are in, they may direct you towards that. I played there in a competition and we had coffee/bacon rolls in the clubhouse but told to use the artisans for a pint afterwards.

 

[makaveli]

Perfect, thank you for your suggestions guys!

 

[makaveli]

You may not actually be allowed in the clubhouse

There is an artisans clubhouse next door and depending on what kind of mood they are in, they may direct you towards that. I played there in a competition and we had coffee/bacon rolls in the clubhouse but told to use the artisans for a pint afterwards.

So you mean that sometimes the clubhouse is "members only"? Wow, it would be a real same not to be able to visit it

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

So you mean that sometimes the clubhouse is "members only"? Wow, it would be a real same not to be able to visit it

I'm sure they will let you in as a small group of visitors, probably because we were a larger group (100+) they didn't want all of us in the 'posh' clubhouse.

They do reserve the right to make you use the other clubhouse though so unlikely....but be prepared just in case. Whatever, don't let it spoil the enjoyment of a truly world class golf course!

 

[makaveli]

I'm sure they will let you in as a small group of visitors, probably because we were a larger group (100+) they didn't want all of us in the 'posh' clubhouse.

They do reserve the right to make you use the other clubhouse though so unlikely....but be prepared just in case. Whatever, don't let it spoil the enjoyment of a truly world class golf course!

100 people? Wow! We are just 4!

 

[Ethan]

They will let you in the Clubhouse, welcome you even. There is a bar and restaurant, and changing facilities. Normal clubhouse attire will be fine.

RCD is one of the old style clubs which largely catered to a population of affluent (protestant) golfers from Belfast who came down at the weekends mostly. There is a "town club" called Mourne intended for the locals which has a clubhouse round the path from the first tee heading back along the coast. That is a more down to earth sort of place. RCD itself used not to let visitors in the club, so they had to use Mourne. Bourne is not an artisan club, just a local town club, although membership has to be approved by RCD.

Mourne hosts an Open Week, usually sometime around The Open in the second half of July. It is a great chance to play the course in singles, versus par of fourball (on different days) with the course set up in championship condition, and you get a greatly reduced entry fee and you may even win a prize.

It is a fabulous course that every serious golfer must play, although on a windy day it can make you consider giving up the game.

 

[richart]

Playing there end of April so will let you know. We are not taking jackets though.

 

[makaveli]

They will let you in the Clubhouse, welcome you even. There is a bar and restaurant, and changing facilities. Normal clubhouse attire will be fine.

RCD is one of the old style clubs which largely catered to a population of affluent (protestant) golfers from Belfast who came down at the weekends mostly. There is a "town club" called Mourne intended for the locals which has a clubhouse round the path from the first tee heading back along the coast. That is a more down to earth sort of place. RCD itself used not to let visitors in the club, so they had to use Mourne. Bourne is not an artisan club, just a local town club, although membership has to be approved by RCD.

Mourne hosts an Open Week, usually sometime around The Open in the second half of July. It is a great chance to play the course in singles, versus par of fourball (on different days) with the course set up in championship condition, and you get a greatly reduced entry fee and you may even win a prize.

It is a fabulous course that every serious golfer must play, although on a windy day it can make you consider giving up the game.

Thank you for your post Ethan, very informative!!

 

[makaveli]

Playing there end of April so will let you know. We are not taking jackets though.

Thank you Richart, I would love to hear your experience!

 

[SVB]

Hello guys,

I will be playing RCD in May and I was guessing about the dress code in the club house: do I need to bring jacket and tie? Can I arrive at the course with golf attire? On the website there is a section that explains how you should be dressed to play, but it does not explain how it works inside the club house.

Thank you for your suggestions
imak

Just say 'Darren sent you' as the ad goes that has ear-wormed into my head! (can't remember which company through!)

 

[Berger]

Getting to use the RCD clubhouse might depend how late in May you are playing, seeing as the Irish Open is being held there the last week in May.

 

[julsk10]

Good food at Slieve Donard next door by the way but they don't sell Guinness. Not an issue though as it is a cracking pint of the black stuff at RCD in the clubhouse.[/QUOTE]

Slieve Donard and Percy French Bar both sell Guinness now played rcd last week, it is in great condition, you will be playing off mats though. Just bought tickets for the Friday

 

[Snelly]

Good food at Slieve Donard next door by the way but they don't sell Guinness. Not an issue though as it is a cracking pint of the black stuff at RCD in the clubhouse.

Slieve Donard and Percy French Bar both sell Guinness now played rcd last week, it is in great condition, you will be playing off mats though. Just bought tickets for the Friday[/QUOTE]

Best golf related news I have heard in ages! Thanks.

 

[makaveli]

Getting to use the RCD clubhouse might depend how late in May you are playing, seeing as the Irish Open is being held there the last week in May.

I will be there at the beginning of may, unfortunately I will play with the mats because of the Irish Open, do you guys think it will be that bad? I don't think it will ruin the experience, I will not be in the fairway anyway

When do you guys think they will be building the grandstands btw?

 

[makaveli]

Good food at Slieve Donard next door by the way but they don't sell Guinness. Not an issue though as it is a cracking pint of the black stuff at RCD in the clubhouse.

Slieve Donard and Percy French Bar both sell Guinness now played rcd last week, it is in great condition, you will be playing off mats though. Just bought tickets for the Friday[/QUOTE]


How was playing off mats? Is it that bad?

 

[julsk10]

We still enjoyed it, prob made it a bit easier as not playing off bare lies. Not true experience but still good

 

[makaveli]

We still enjoyed it, prob made it a bit easier as not playing off bare lies. Not true experience but still good

Thanks!