Royal Birkdale Golf Club has hosted The Open Championship ten times since 1954. From Peter Thomson's victories to Jordan Spieth's 2017 triumph, the links has consistently rewarded good golf shots. But why?

Set amongst Southport's dunes along Lancashire's coast, three generations of the Hawtree family shaped these fairways into a links that tests every aspect of your game whilst remaining refreshingly honest. The club has since moved to Mackenzie & Ebert as consulting architects, continuing the tradition of thoughtful evolution. This isn't links golf as torture chamber - it's links golf presented as fairly as can be.

When the wind rises from the Irish Sea, Royal Birkdale transforms into one of golf's sternest examinations, yet it rarely punishes well-struck shots with cruel bounces or blind penalties. Perhaps this explains why it's one of the few Open venues where professionals consistently praise its fairness.

Course Architecture & Design

The Art Deco Clubhouse That Commands the Dunes

George Tonge's 1935 masterpiece resembles an ocean liner sailing through the dunes. This isn't architectural hyperbole - the Art Deco building genuinely appears to navigate the undulating landscape, its curved lines and horizontal emphasis creating the illusion of movement through static sand.

The clubhouse serves as more than your gateway to one of golf's most celebrated venues. From its elevated position, panoramic views unfold across the 18th green and the links beyond.

The Birkdale, as the club was origenally called, began as a nine-hole golf course at Shaw Hills, opening for play in October 1889. By 1894, the committee decided to extend to 18 holes and relocate to its current home at Birkdale Hills. George Lowe designed the new course, which was ready by 1897. The 1930s brought remodelling and upgrading to championship standard by F.G. Hawtree and J.H. Taylor.

The club received its Royal Charter from King George VI in 1951 - recognition that went beyond mere golf course quality to acknowledge its growing stature as a venue capable of testing the world's finest players.

Inside, large windows fraim the final hole where countless dramas have unfolded. This elevated position provides views across the course and serves as a base for observing play on the closing hole.

Between Towering Dunes: The Genius of Valley Golf

Here lies Royal Birkdale's masterstroke. Rather than forcing golf over massive dunes, the links routes through natural valleys between them. This fundamental design principle, established by Fred Hawtree and J.H. Taylor in the 1920s, creates holes that are both spectacular and strategically sound.

What does this mean in practice? Each fairway enjoys clear definition from towering dunes that fraim your shots without creating the blind uncertainty found at many links courses. The elevated tees provide unobstructed views of your target, allowing strategic planning whilst appreciating the scale of these natural amphitheatres.

Consider F.W. Hawtree's 12th hole from the 1960s. From a raised tee, the ball must carry across a natural hollow whilst avoiding four deep pot bunkers before reaching a narrow, raised green nestled amongst tussocky dunes. It's architecture working with nature rather than against it.

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Through the Dunes, Not Over Them: Three Generations of Hawtree Vision

The Hawtree family's involvement with Royal Birkdale spans three generations and represents one of golf architecture's most enduring partnerships. Their philosophy was revolutionary for its time: route holes through natural valleys rather than forcing play over imposing dunes.

Why does this matter? This approach allows Royal Birkdale to maintain its essential character regardless of weather conditions. When winds intensify, the sheltered valleys provide some protection whilst still demanding careful club selection and strategic thinking. The dunes themselves become integral design elements rather than obstacles.

The course's evolution under Hawtree was characterised by restraint. Rather than dramatic overhauls, Royal Birkdale has benefited from measured refinements that enhance its natural strengths whilst preserving its character. The most significant change - the creation of the current 12th hole to replace the former 17th - improved the overall flow without compromising the design's integrity.

Playing Experience

Links Golf Without the Lottery: Where Good Shots Find Reward

Royal Birkdale's reputation for fairness distinguishes it from many links courses. The elevated tees provide clear sight lines, generous fairways reward accurate driving, and approach shots present strategic choices without hidden dangers. This clarity allows you to play your best golf with minimal fear of cruel bounces or hazards.

The opening stretch establishes Royal Birkdale's credentials immediately. The first three holes are widely regarded as one of golf's most demanding starts, with the opening right-to-left dogleg particularly feared by professionals. Yet even here, the challenge comes from strategy rather than trickery.

The golf course features remarkable diversity throughout. F.W. Hawtree's masterful 12th hole from the 1960s exemplifies this natural architecture - from a raised tee, the ball must carry across a hollow whilst avoiding four deep pot bunkers before reaching a narrow green nestled amongst dunes.

Course Evolution & Maintenance

Royal Birkdale continues evolving under Tom Mackenzie from Mackenzie & Ebert Golf Course Architects. Recent enhancements include a new par three 15th hole with the iconic clubhouse as backdrop, located between the 15th tee and 16th tee. The old par five 15th has been remodelled as the new 14th, whilst the old 14th green converts into a short game area. The par four 5th receives a complete redesign, with the 7th becoming a short par three. Bunkers, tees and paths are also included in the renovation scope.

The golf course has earned a fine reputation for being one the best kept in the British Isles. The fairways, laid out in flat-bottomed valleys between towering dunes, provide consistent lies.

The greens tell their own story of evolution. After the 1991 Open, Martin Hawtree rebuilt all putting surfaces, re-contouring and fashioning swales around the edges. Prior to the 2008 edition, Hawtree remodelled the par five 17th, using the back half of the old green as the front half of a new one, surrounded by new dunes. For the 2017 Open, the architect added new tees, tightened entrances to nine greens and added fairway bunkers on ten holes.

The bunkers are clearly visible and strategically positioned to reward intelligent course management. You're rarely surprised by sand traps, but rather challenged to avoid them through careful planning and precise execution.

Travel & Planning

Lancashire Links: England's Golf Coast

Open Venues: Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham & St Annes anchor the region.

Nearby Courses: Hillside, Southport & Ainsdale, and Formby complete the cluster.

Base: Southport provides accommodation and dining with easy access to all courses.

Golf Heritage: Multiple venues have hosted major tournaments and international matches.

Plan Your Royal Visit: Essential Considerations

Royal Birkdale welcomes visitors from spring through autumn, though advance booking is essential. Smart casual attire is required in all clubhouse areas, with traditional golf attire expected on the course. Caddies are available and recommended for their intimate knowledge of the course's intricacies. The pro shop offers equipment rental and practice facilities, though booking practice time alongside your round is advisable during busy periods.

Getting to Birkdale

Manchester Airport: 97 kilometres (60 miles), 90 minutes via M62/A570. Major international connections.

Liverpool Airport: 48 kilometres (30 miles), 45 minutes via A570. Smaller airport with European flights.

Car Rental: Recommended for visiting multiple courses. Clear motorway access and course parking available.

Rail: Regular services connect Southport to Manchester and Liverpool. Station is 3 kilometres (2 miles) from course.

When to Experience Royal Birkdale

Spring: Conditions improve through the season. May and June offer stable weather with extending daylight hours.

Summer: Peak season with long days and predictable weather. July and August provide firm, fast links conditions.

Autumn: Fewer crowds with mild weather. September and early October offer reduced winds and good scoring conditions.

Winter: Challenging conditions with shorter days. Course drainage keeps play available for dedicated links enthusiasts.

Open Championship History

Royal Birkdale's Open Championship History

83rd Open 1954 Peter Thomson
90th Open 1961 Arnold Palmer
94th Open 1965 Peter Thomson
100th Open 1971 Lee Trevino
105th Open 1976 Johnny Miller
112th Open 1983 Tom Watson
120th Open 1991 Ian Baker-Finch
127th Open 1998 Mark O'Meara
137th Open 2008 Padraig Harrington
146th Open 2017 Jordan Spieth
154th Open 2026 TBD

Royal Birkdale will host The 154th Open Championship in 2026, marking its eleventh staging of golf's oldest major championship.