Music Legends & Laughs – Another Unforgettable RNGC Invitational
An invitation the the RNGC Invitational. One of the most sort after invitations in the whole of golf. What an honour to play in my second legendary event.
‘RNGC is probably the toughest short game test in the world of golf’
Music Legends & Laughs – Tucked away in the Devon countryside lies a golfing experience unlike anything else – Royal Norton Golf Club (RNGC). Created during lockdown by golf writer and golf romantic Dan Davies, this wonderful short course is now home to one of the most creative and chaotic events in the sport: the RNGC Invitational.
Paul from Golf4Home had the pleasure of attending this year’s event – and what a day (and night) it was. With a fancy dress theme celebrating music legends, the fairways were filled with everyone from Elton and Elvis to Amy, Adam Ant, and Axl.
The story of RNGC begins in lockdown, when Dan swapped city life for rural Devon and set about building the course of his dreams – not on a vast estate, but in a borrowed backyard. Over ten months of digging, shaping, and designing, Dan created nine unforgettable holes packed with imagination, humour, and menace.
Above: Dan Davies producing a remarkable chip under pressure. Dan is congratulated by his playing partner, well-known actor and writer Simon Farnaby.
This was never meant to be a polished, commercial facility. RNGC was built for friends, fun, and the revival of short-course golf with bite. The result? A 9 hole 510-yard course that’s as unforgiving as it is unforgettable.
RNGC doesn’t pull its punches. The greens are tiny. The bund is waist-deep and ever-present. The bounces are wicked. And the hazards – including a sleeper-strewn second hole – are straight out of a golf nightmare (or dream, depending on your taste for suffering).
There’s a tribute to Augusta’s 12th (reversed and reimagined), and a layout that demands every ounce of your creativity. RNGC is a reminder that golf doesn’t need to be long – it just needs to be interesting.
But what truly sets the RNGC Invitational apart isn’t just the course – it’s the atmosphere.
Amazing food flows all day. The alcohol? Endless. And the party doesn’t stop when the last putt drops. With several DJ sets running into the evening and beyond, RNGC turns from golf course to dance floor, keeping spirits high and friendships flowing.
It’s a festival, a competition, and a reunion all rolled into one – where the music, the outfits, the laughter, and the late-night beats are just as important as the golf.
At Golf4Home, we absolutely love what RNGC stands for. It’s about imagination, inclusivity, and enjoying the game your own way – whether that means battling deep bund or dancing in golf shoes until 3am.
Dan Davies has shown the world what’s possible with a bit of land and a lot of heart. It’s a spirit we carry into every home putting green and short game project we design.
If RNGC has fired up your imagination, we’re here to help. Whether it’s a simple green or a full short-game setup, Golf4Home can build something unique that brings joy and creativity to your doorstep. Home Putting Greens | Golf4Home Transform Your Garden Space
RNGC: Where golf meets Glastonbury, and the good times roll long after the final hole.
Can’t wait to be back next year. Costumes packed. Wedges and Putter ready.
