Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club in Deal, England sits on the epitome of a links landscape

DEAL, England -- The renowned Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, also popularly known as Deal, stretches across a narrow strip of land that extends to Sandwich Bay.

The golf course has a rich history that dates back to 1892. It has survived two wars and has been the host of two Opens.

The natural terrain is the epitome of a links landscape. An abundance of sand dunes characterizes nearly every hole, providing the fairways and greens with a unique undulating nature. Golfers will be hard-pressed to find a flat stance anywhere but the tees. Like any seaside links golf course, wind is always a challenging factor and there are also 66 large bunkers strategically placed throughout.

Royal Cinque Ports' back nine, specifically the final seven holes, present a brutal test for even the most seasoned golfers. The 16th hole is especially tricky with a green that from any distance is difficult to hit and hold.

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club - 10th bunker

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club's short par-4 10th is undoubtedly the best birdie chance on the back nine.

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Royal Cinque Ports GC - 10th

Looking back down Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club's dog-leg par-4 10th from the sea wall.

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Royal Cinque Ports golf course - 13th

Arguably Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club's best hole, the 13th is heavily protected by bunkers. Three guard the corner of the dog-leg, while another trio lurk next to the green.

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Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club - 15th

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club's 15th green slopes so severely it resembles a half-pipe.

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Royal Cinque Ports golf course - 18th

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club's closing hole is intersected by the same stream that cuts across the first. In still conditions it is well within range.

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Royal Cinque Ports GC - 1st

Looking back towards the Royal Cinque Ports clubhouse from the first green. The flagpole in front of the clubhouse is dotted with bullet holes from a German aircraft in World War II.

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Royal Cinque Ports G.C. - 3rd fairway

It is not uncommon to find a sloping lie on the rumpled third fairway at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club.

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Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club - 3rd green

The sunken green on Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club's par-5 third. From the fairway, you cannot see all of the pin so must trust the yardage!

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Royal Cinque Ports golf course - 4th green

Looking back to the tee on Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club's par-3 fourth hole. It is difficult to hold even short irons on this sloping green.

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Royal Cinque Ports G.C. - 4th

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club's fourth hole is a 152-yard par 3 that offers views of the sea to the right. The green is like an upturned saucer so very hard to hold.

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Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club - 5th approach

Royal Cinque Ports' par-5 fifth, like most of the outward holes, are played to the same power plant that can be seen from nearby Royal St George's.

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Royal Cinque Ports GC - 7th

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club's lengthy par-4 seventh has eight deep bunkers in total, but only one next to the green.

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Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club - 8th

Played towards the sea wall, Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club's 171-yard eighth has a fast green that is protected by no less than six sand traps.

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