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Royal Birkdale Golf Club

10.0
Excellent See all 34 reviews

When it comes to links golf in the UK, there is arguably nowhere better to play than 10 time Open Championship, 6 times Women's Open and 2 time Ryder Cup host, Royal Birkdale Golf Club. Located in the beautiful town of Southport on the Northwest Coast of England, many view this stunning region of the country as the golfing capital.

Since gaining Royal golf course status from King George VI the club has been the setting for more Championship and International Tournaments than anywhere else in the world. In typical links fashion, the course provides a stringent test of every aspect of a golfer’s game and rewards good play but punishes careless shots. Royal Birkdale Golf Club offers some spectacular views during the round and if you aren’t playing as well as you’d like, then there are always these to enjoy.

With an Open Champion roster than includes Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson and Jordan Spieth, it is easy to see why Royal Birkdale is ranked amongst the world's best golf courses.

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Golf Courses at Royal Birkdale Golf Club

Royal Birkdale

Despite all its golfing accolades, the course is by no means the hardest links out there meaning that whether you are a low or high handicapper there is both fun and a challenge to be found on the course. Birkdale is as good as links golf in England comes, and is the jewel in Southport's considerable golfing crown.

Signature hole: par 3, 12th hole

The par 3, 12th is seen as the signature hole at Royal Birkdale. Despite being relatively short the green is well guarded by deep bunkers and thick rough making an accurate shot imperative if you want to any chance of parring the hole. The 12th is considered one of the finest on the course as when the wind blows hitting the green is no easy feat and once you get there it doesn’t exactly get any easier. The subtle contouring of the small putting surface make it difficult to read.

Royal Birkdale is seen by many as the 3rd best course in the UK and the 32nd best worldwide. Jordan Spieth claimed his 1st Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale in winning The 2017 Open Championship. His -12 total was enough for a 3-shot victory over Matt Kuchar. Ireland's Padraig Harrington claimed a back-to-back victory in The 2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale with a +3 total being enough to fend off a chasing Ian Poulter. Harrington's Eagle on the par-5 17th hole proved critical with his approach shot into the green considered by many to be one of the best played under pressure in Major golf.

However, it is not only the golf course that makes Royal Birkdale so spectacular, the clubhouse contains the perfect balance between representing the esteemed history of the club whilst still containing all the contemporary facilities needed to make sure you can relax and enjoy some wonderful food and drink after a day of golf. Before the round stock up in the pro-shop which only sells you the latest and best equipment. Also if arranged in advance there are also some of the best pros in the country at Royal Birkdale all of whom are willing to help you hone your skills before tackling the glorious golf course. There are buggies available to rent but only to those who have a genuine incapacity to play golf unless they have a buggy to get them round the course.

As far as links golf breaks go, Royal Birkdale is the perfect destination for golfers of all abilities. Even with the North West of England being littered with so many fantastic courses, Royal Birkdale is just that cut above the rest as it offers a unique golfing experience that cannot be found elsewhere due to the sheer number of tournaments it has held. It is also very easy to get to from wherever it is you wish to come from. Royal Birkdale is only 45 minutes away from Liverpool and 1 hour away from Manchester. The nearest airport is Liverpool John Lennon Airport again only a 45 minutes drive. If you are travelling via train, there are services running every 15 minutes from Liverpool to Southport, so the golf club is very easily accessible.

Royal Birkdale is ranked as one of the best courses in England

Course Information
Par 70
Designed by Frederick G. Hawtree and J.H. Taylor.
Opened for play 1889
Previously hosted Open Championship, Ryder Cup, Women’s British Open, The Walker and Curtis Cups
Tees
White 7,156 yards Par 70
Yellow 6,381 yards Par 72
Red 5,793 yards Par 75

The Open history at Royal Birkdale

Royal Birkdale has hosted The Open 10 times and was the last English course to be added to The Open rota in 1954, Turnberry being the latest addition in 1977.

The Open at Royal Birkdale
Year Winner Country Score
2017 Jorden Spieth USA -12
2008 Padraig Harrington Ireland +3
1998 Mark O'Meara USA Par
1991 Ian Baker-Finch Australia -8
1983 Tom Watson USA -9
1976 Johnny Miller USA -9
1971 Lee Trevino USA -14
1965 Peter Thomson Australia -7
1961 Arnold Palmer USA -4
1954 Peter Thomson Australia -9

How to get to Royal Birkdale Golf Club

Royal Birkdale Golf Club is situated between the towns of Southport and Ainsdale off the A565, just half a mile from Hillside train station.

Address: Waterloo Road, Southport, Merseyside, England, PR8 2LX

What Our Golfers Say

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0 reviews
Bar / Restaurant 0
Facilities 0
Location 0
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These reviews are from verified Your Golf Travel customers.
10
Excellent
34 reviews
Condition overall 9.8
Condition of greens 10.0
Speed of round 66.6%
Value for money 9.0
Facilities 9.8
Difficulty 100%
These reviews are from verified Your Golf Travel customers.

Michael

4 Oct 2025

Excellent
10.0

Great golf course. A true test of golf. Every shot had to be thought about, miss the fairway and it became difficult. Absolutely loved it though and drinks on the veranda outside the 18th were great. One to tell the grandchildren about.

Laurie

11 Jul 2025

Excellent
10.0

Paddy

10 May 2025

Excellent
10.0

Mark

10 May 2025

Excellent
10.0

Brilliant Golf Course - we had a caddy from other party which was helpful - and had a famous Pro and his family playing behind us. Everyone very friendly at Birkdale and a great time.

Christopher

5 Oct 2024

Excellent
10.0

It's a splendid course, well protected by its bunkers and the wind. Greens true and in places very tricky. Very good welcome on arrival, and an expert caddie provided. All great fun.

Kevin

15 Aug 2024

Excellent
10.0

Just brilliant, everything looks great,great staff who meet you and show you where to go. Everyone super friendly Best course I've played

David

4 Aug 2024

Excellent
10.0

wonderful golf course

David

25 Jun 2023

Excellent
10.0

Must be one of the best courses in UK. Immaculate condition and the staff very helpful. Great experience, expensive but worth it.

William

24 Apr 2023

Excellent
10.0

An incredible experience. It was super hard as so many long par 4s. And a lot of bunkers. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly.

Pádraic

21 Mar 2023

Excellent
10.0

great course and staff very friendly and good facilities .

Philip

19 May 2022

Excellent
10.0

Fantastic course

John

16 May 2022

Excellent
10.0

The short rough is surprisingly forgiving and a contrast to the other two links courses we played. The best welcome from knowledgable greeters. Access all areas at the clubhouse and a warm welcome at the pro shop. Some prestige golf venues can be a little stuffy and aloof. Not in this case. The staff we met were all a credit to the Royal Birkdale organisation. It was an unforgettable experience and I will never get tired of telling people about it

Jon

15 May 2022

Excellent
10.0

Fantastic experience....all staff exceptional

David

27 Apr 2022

Excellent
10.0

Amazing course. From being greeted at the pro shop, the facilities, clubhouse and course itself it’s a worldie. Should be on everyone’s bucket list

Mark

12 Apr 2022

Excellent
10.0

Despite 50 mile an hour winds and rain we thoroughly enjoyed our round. We'd like to play it again in better weather. The Birkdale Experience including dinner is highly recommended.

Adam

2 Apr 2022

Excellent
10.0

The whole experience was excellent! The staff were very welcoming and they couldn’t have done more! The course was in excellent condition considering it was the end of March and the weather wasn’t fantastic! We will 100% be visiting again!

Mike

2 Sep 2021

Excellent
10.0

Great experience. Light winds on the day helped us a lot. Lovely atmosphere and people

Robin

30 Aug 2021

Excellent
10.0

Of the five courses played this one was my favorite by a narrow margin over Royal Liverpool. The welcome was the epitome of graciousness. The course is beautiful, tough, and very enjoyable. I'd love to play here daily. It is a thinking ballstriker's course.

Ben

21 Aug 2021

Excellent
10.0

Great golf course!!!

Peter

2 Aug 2021

Excellent
10.0

Alan

31 Jul 2021

Excellent
10.0

Worth every penny, great course & clubhouse Very welcoming Everything a top course should be

Laurie

30 Jul 2021

Excellent
10.0

Andrew

12 Jul 2021

Excellent
10.0

Mark

2 Jul 2021

Excellent
10.0

David

1 Jul 2021

Very Good
8.0

A very challenging course but I thought the holes got a bit monotonous , if not for the history it was average links

Michael

26 Jun 2021

Excellent
10.0

A wonderful day, just loved the whole experience, but found the course quite tight for a 15 handicap,but the course was fabulous

Keith

21 Oct 2020

Excellent
10.0

Great fairways sandy turf as you would expect the ball ran for miles Greens perfect a little too fast for me tho’ good reception from high balls, stopped quick Visually stunning as you walk towards the green surrounded by high hump back bunkers You must stay out of the fairway bunkers as it costs you a shot Loved it 17 handicap

Mike

2 Oct 2019

Excellent
10.0

Without doubt the highlight of our trip! A truly amazing day in glorious sunshine! It also helped that I played my best round of the trip and finished with 35 pts and no lost balls!! The 2 caddies we had were excellent - friendly, knowledgeable and showed us the lines etc.. We couldn't have asked for better weather and although this is an Open course it is very fair and not too difficult. The fairways & greens were immaculate. We will return to Birkdale next year if we can! :-)

André

17 Sep 2019

Excellent
10.0

Antoinette

7 Jul 2019

Excellent
10.0

Loved everything

Alan

6 May 2019

Excellent
10.0

The best course and facilities in the area, caddies excellent and informative

Anthony

20 Sep 2018

Excellent
10.0

Richard

24 Jan 2017

Excellent
10.0

All have their own character but especially the par 3s. 


My caddy tip - "Your whole game will be tested but you must keep out of the rough."

Stableford score - 32 points. 

Handicap - 

Ian

24 Jan 2017

Excellent
10.0

Enjoy it. 


My caddy tip - "Play within yourself."

Stableford score - 36

Handicap - 18

Royal Birkdale Golf Club Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a range on site?

Yes

Are there buggies available to hire?

No

How much is the fee for the caddies?

£50

Are there any weekend golfing restrictions?

No play on Saturday and limited on Sunday

Is there a charge for car parking on site?

There is complimentary parking

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