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Open Championship Courses

Follow the Pro's on the Open Championship Rota

✍️ Oliver Gunning | ⏰ 8 min read

The 150th Open at St Andrews

The Open Championship Rota

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 legendary list including the dramatic links of Royal Portrush the timeless challenge of Carnoustie the classic test of Royal Birkdale and the historic fairways of Royal St. George's. All are headlined by St Andrews the most revered destination in golf. To experience the greatest links courses and the true heritage of the game work your way through the list of Open Championship greats.

Future Open Venues

2026 Royal Birkdale (England)
2025 St Andrews (Scotland)

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.

The Worlds Mopst Famous Par 3? Royal Portrush

Open Championship Courses in England

<p>Open venues in England are split into two geographical areas, <a href="/golf-breaks/england-kent">Kent</a> and the <a href="/golf-breaks/england-north-west">Merseyside / Lancashire coastline</a>. 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).</p> <p>Those travelling to the North West of England can enjoy the very different layouts found at Royal Liverpool (Hoylake), Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham &amp; St Anne's which will create an excellent golfing tour.</p>

Open Championship Courses in Scotland

<p>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 <a href="/golf-holiday-inspiration/best-golf-courses-never-hosted-the-open">best course never to have held an Open</a>.</p> <p>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.</p>

Open Championship Courses in Northern Ireland

<p>Royal Portrush, located around an hour North of Belfast is the only course outside of England and Scotland to have hosted an Open Championship.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>The Open will return to Portrush in 2025 for The 153rd Championship.</p>

The Open History in Scotland

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

The Open History in England & Northern Ireland

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 3 72 7,143 Shane Lowry (269)
Prince's 1902 Henry Cotton, Gene Sarazen and Mackenzie & Ebert 1 72 7,204 Gene Sarazen (283)

More About Oliver

Handicap: 1
Favourite Course: Sunningdale (Old)
My 'Expert' areas: Algarve, New Zealand, Dubai
Best trip I've done: New Zealand playing Kauri Cliffs & Cape Kidnappers
Where my next trip is to: Valderrama

Give Oliver a call on 0800 043 6644 to arrange your next golf break.

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