Royal Golf Clubs

There are certain Royal Golf Clubs in the UK and around the world that have been granted Royal status by the British monarchy. To receive the honour the club typically invites a member of the Royal family to be a patron or honorary member, or they apply for the title. Ultimately, the approval must be granted from the reigning monarch.

The list below displays all the course owning clubs around the world that currently hold a Royal designation together with the first royal patron or member and the monarch who granted the Royal title.

Not included in this list is probably the most famous Royal club, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (founded 1754, granted royal status 1836 by King William IV) as it is not a course owning club.

Other Royal golf societies include the Royal Perth Golfing Society and County & City Club (founded 1824, granted 1833 by King William IV), and Royal Montrose Golf Club (founded 1810, granted 1845 by Prince Albert).

The Curragh Golf Club in Ireland was granted a Royal title in 1910, but does not use it. Royal Tara in Ireland (founded 1906) is not a Royal chartered course, but simply gave itself the title due to its location near the Hill of Tara where the ancient Kings of Ireland used to reside. Unfortunately for the 9-hole Royal Isle of Wight, it closed in 1962.