Open Championship Courses
Follow the Pro's on the Open Championship Rota
⏱ 10 min read
Follow the Pro's on the Open Championship Rota
⏱ 10 min read
Of the countless prestigious golfing venues scattered throughout the United Kingdom, the exclusive band of Open Championship venues are the most famous and sought after.
Soaked in the history of golf's most illustrious tournament, the Open rotation is filled with names to make any golfer weak at the knees - choose from a list including Turnberry, Carnoustie, Royal Birkdale, Royal St. George's and more, all headed by St Andrews, the most revered of any golfing destination. To experience the greatest links courses and the true heritage of the game, work your way through the list of Open Championship greats.
2024 Royal Troon (Scotland)
2025 Royal Portrush (Northern Ireland)
Whether it is recreating Seve celebrating on the 18th green on the Old Course or enjoying your own Duel in the Sun at Turnberry, we're pleased to bring you unique opportunities to experience these classic links courses.
Alongside these Open heavyweights are the likes of Princes (host venue in 1932) and Royal Cinque Ports (two-time venue, which would've held more but the sea encroached on the course) located on the Kent Coast, or even the original host of the Open Championship, Prestwick, on Ayrshire's Western coast, there are many fantastic courses to explore and enjoy.
Open venues in England are split into two geographical areas, Kent and the Merseyside / Lancashire coastline. While Kent only has one active course on the Open Rota, Princes and Royal Cinque Ports are former hosts and provide what many consider to be one of the finest golf tours in the UK with all 3 courses just 15 minutes from each other (so close in places an out of bounds drive from Royal St George's can find itself at Princes).
Those travelling to the North West of England can enjoy the very different layouts found at Royal Liverpool (Hoylake), Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham & St Anne's which will create an excellent golfing tour.
Kent
Rated 9.6 by 25 golfers (Read reviews of Royal St George's Golf Club)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
Southport
Rated 10 by 27 golfers (Read reviews of Royal Birkdale Golf Club)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
Southport
Rated 9 by 24 golfers (Read reviews of Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
Kent
Rated 9.4 by 27 golfers (Read reviews of Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
Kent
Rated 9.2 by 215 golfers (Read reviews of Prince's Golf Club)
1 Night, 1 Round
Cheshire
Rated 8.6 by 14 golfers (Read reviews of Royal Liverpool Golf Club)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
Having hosted The Open Championship for 34 consecutive years before the Claret Jug eventually travelled South to Royal St George's, it is safe to say that Scotland is very much the home of Open Championship golf with 7 courses, and will have hosted a total of 98 times by 2022, and countless others which lay claim to the best course never to have held an Open.
For those wanting to experience multiple venues as part of their tour, a trip to the West Coast can see you tick off the likes of Prestwick, Royal Troon and Turnberry easily with all 3 courses within 45 minutes of each other, while those seeking the East Coast should consider a trip to include the likes of Carnoustie, Muirfield and St Andrews.
Glasgow & Ayrshire
Rated 9.6 by 19 golfers (Read reviews of Prestwick Golf Club)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
St Andrews & Fife
Rated 9.6 by 44 golfers (Read reviews of The Old Course, St Andrews)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
Dundee & Angus
Rated 9.2 by 98 golfers (Read reviews of Carnoustie Golf Links)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
Glasgow & Ayrshire
Rated 9.8 by 15 golfers (Read reviews of Royal Troon Golf Club)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
Glasgow & Ayrshire
Rated 9.6 by 207 golfers (Read reviews of Trump Turnberry Golf Resort 5*)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
East Lothians
Rated 10 by 2 golfers (Read reviews of Muirfield Golf Club)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
Royal Portrush, located around an hour North of Belfast is the only course outside of England and Scotland to have hosted an Open Championship.
With a rich tournament pedigree which has not only hosted the top events in amateur and professional golf but also produced Major Champions as the home course of Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Fred Daly.
Antrim
Rated 9.8 by 19 golfers (Read reviews of Royal Portrush Golf Club)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
Course | Established | Designer | No. of Open's | Par | Yardage | Lowest 72 hole score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Old Course, St Andrews |
1552 |
Multiple inc. Old Tom Morris |
30 |
72 |
7,305 |
Cameron Smith (268) |
Prestwick |
1851 |
Old Tom Morris |
24 |
71 |
6,908 |
James Braid (291) |
Muirfield |
1891 |
Old Tom Morris, Harry Colt, Tom Simpson, Martin Hawtree |
16 |
71 |
7,245 |
Tom Watson (271) |
Royal Troon |
1878 |
George Strath, Willie Fernie & James Braid |
9 |
71 |
7,208 |
Henrik Stenson (264) |
Carnoustie Golf Links |
1850 |
Allan Robertson, Old Tom Morris, James Braid |
8 |
71 |
7,402 |
Francesco Molinari (276) |
Musselburgh Links |
1672 |
Unknown |
6 |
34 |
2,968 |
Willie Park, Jnr (155)* |
Turnberry |
1901 |
James Miller, Mackenzie & Ebert |
4 |
70 |
7,357 |
Tom Watson, Nick Price (268) |
*Before 1891 The Open Championship was contested over 36 holes
Course | Established | Designer | No. of Open's | Par | Yardage | Course Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal St Georges |
1887 |
Dr. Laidlaw Purves |
15 |
70 |
7,204 |
Greg Norman (267) |
Royal Liverpool |
1869 |
Robert Chambers, George Morris, Harry Colt |
13 |
72 |
7,312 |
Tiger Woods (270) |
Royal Lytham & St Annes |
1886 |
George Lowe, Harry Colt |
11 |
70 |
7,118 |
Tom Lehman (271) |
Royal Birkdale |
1889 |
Frederick G. Hawtree and J.H. Taylor |
10 |
70 |
7,156 |
Jordan Spieth (268) |
Royal Cinque Ports |
1892 |
Henry Hunter, James Braid, Sir Guy Campbell & Henry Cotton |
2 |
71 |
7,245 |
John Henry Taylor (291) |
Royal Portrush |
1888 |
Harry Colt |
2 |
72 |
7,143 |
Shane Lowry (269) |
Prince's |
1902 |
Henry Cotton, Gene Sarazen and Mackenzie & Ebert |
1 |
72 |
7,204 |
Gene Sarazen (283) |