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Royal Birkdale
Year Established
1889
Designed by
Frederick Hawtree
Location
North West England
Address
Waterloo Rd, Southport, Lancashire, England PR8 2LX
About Royal Birkdale
Nestling amongst truly spectacular sand dunes, the course runs through a rugged landscape of amazing, soaring dunes with wonderfully flat fairways and good, clear views from the tee. The magnificent Art-Deco clubhouse overlooks the 18th green.
The club has hosted more Championship and internationals since World War 2 than any other course, anywhere in the world. Not unsurprisingly given that Royal Birkdale is the recipient of notable accolades, including having variously been voted England's number one club, one of the top five clubs in Britain and amongst the world's top 35. As you can imagine, it offers a supreme golfing experience that really is second to none.
A Brief History
- Founded as Birkdale Golf Club in 1889
- Given royal status in 1951
- In 1993 Martin Hawtree, the son of Frederick W, modified the layout again, rebuilding 18 of the greens from scratch
Featured hole – Hole 1
The very first challenge you'll encounter on your visit to Royal Birkdale golf course is hole one, a full 450 yards long and an incredibly tricky Par-4. You'll need your wits about you to handle this famously tough start, which is frequently rated one of the most difficult holes on the entire course - a worthy adversary to kick off an exceptional golfing experience. Fail to make a pinpoint-accurate tee shot and you'll stand next to no chance of actually attacking the pin. 'Demanding' just doesn't cover it!
Known For: Magnificent, Magical Sand Dunes
It's no surprise that this course’s reputation as one of England’s finest links has endured. Designed by the fertile imaginations of Fred Hawtree and JH Taylor, who cleverly routed the holes through the dunes during the 1920s, you play Royal Birkdale for holes that run along deep valleys running between enormous, imposing dunes. It may be tough going from start to finish but that's what makes this golf course such a pleasure, and why it is still regarded by many as one of The Open’s fairest tests. The 12th hole is also notable, playing to an incredibly steep green within a dramatic amphitheatre of sand dunes.
