How many 'ROYAL' golf clubs have actually been given the Royal seal of approval?
We wonder how many Royal golf courses Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have played before?
With the British Royal Family very much in the spotlight this week following Megan Markle and Prince Harry's incredible interview with Oprah Winfrey, we thought what better time to explore the Royal Family's long tradition with a spot of golf.
Did you know 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? No? Well, you do now.
While the Kings of Scotland once 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.
But just because a golf course has the word 'Royal' in its title does not always guarantee that it has been granted 'Royal' status.
For example, the Royal Tara Golf Club in Ireland is only called that because it's located near the Hill of Tara where the ancient Kings of Ireland once lived.
Additionally, the Royal Spring Golf Course in India goes by that name due to the course boasting four natural springs that were used centuries ago by the Mughal emperors. However, it is observed locally to be 'Royal'.
The Royal Links Golf in Las Vegas in the United States is another without 'Royal' connections, however, it 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.
Anyway, without further ado, here is the official list of 'Royal' Golf Clubs around the world and the year they were each 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
How many of those courses have you played before? Share your thoughts and comments over on our social media channels.
Explore the UK's "Royal" golf courses with a Golf Travel Centre UK golf break.
Andy first joined the brand on a month's work experience back in April 2011, and he now assumes the Editor role. When Andy joined GolfMagic it was a small site with potential.
