2 Nights, 3 Rounds
The Open Championship returned to Royal Lytham and St Annes for the eleventh time in 2012, underlining its status as one of the country's elite links and a popular Open venue. You'll find it on 'England's Golf Coast', around 10 miles north of Royal Birkdale, with Blackpool Tower often visible on the horizon.
What makes Lytham a bit different is that it's a links that feels coastal without starting and finishing right on the shoreline. George Lowe's 1897 routing runs through proper linksland, dunes and hollows, with sea glimpses more likely as you head into the back nine.
The biggest change came in 1919 when Harry S. Colt added over 200 pot bunkers, turning Lytham into the true championship seaside test it's known for. They sit in clusters and they're properly penal, so placement, patience and a sensible gameplan off the tee matter more than raw power. When the breeze picks up, and it often does, club selection becomes half the battle, so trust your numbers and aim for the fat side more than you think you need to.
Lytham has crowned some of the game's greatest champions, from Bobby Jones in 1926 to Seve Ballesteros in 1979 and 1988, and more recently Ernie Els in 2012. It asks questions on every shot and rewards smart, strategic golf.
Who is this for?
Golfers who want to play a genuine Open Championship venue on England's Golf Coast, with easy access to other top links courses in the region and the nightlife and attractions of Blackpool nearby.
Who is it best for?
Low to mid-handicappers who relish a strategic, bunker-heavy links test and appreciate the history and prestige of walking the same fairways as Jones, Ballesteros and Els.
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
1 Night, 2 Rounds
2 Nights, 2 Rounds
3 Nights, 4 Rounds
The general consensus is that Lytham is not the most aesthetically satisfying course, being located close to some suburban housing, but any shortfall in prettiness is certainly well compensated for by the remarkable clarity of the course's design. Granted Royal status by King George V in 1926, Lytham is renowned for its merciless difficulty, but many believe it to be the country's fairest test of championship links golf; when David Duval triumphed in 2001, commentators praised the quality of the design, as well as the outstanding set-up and condition, which proved to be a great leveller and rewarded the most consistent play.
Lovers of links golf are sure to be enchanted by the wind-swept landscape at Lytham, where the championship seaside layout is enough to rival the best that the English coastline has to offer, and is a certain highlight of any pilgrimage to this famous golfing stretch in Southport.
Royal Lytham and St Annes is ranked as one of the best courses in England
| Par | 70 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | George Lowe / Harry Colt |
| Opened for play | 1886 |
| Previously hosted | Open Championship, Women's Open and Ryder Cup |
| Blue | 7,094 yards | Par 65.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Red | 6,641 yards | Par 74.3 |
| Green | 6,346 yards | Par 72.5 |
| Orange | 5,855 yards | Par 76.4 |
Royal Lytham & St Annes was the fourth English course to hold The Open after Royal St George's, Royal Liverpool and Royal Cinque Ports, the Championship has been held there a total of 11 times.
| Year | Winner | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Ernie Els | South Africa | -7 |
| 2001 | David Duval | USA | -10 |
| 1996 | Tom Lehman | USA | -13 |
| 1988 | Seve Ballesteros | Spain | -11 |
| 1979 | Seve Ballesteros | Spain | -1 |
| 1974 | Gary Player | South Africa | -2 |
| 1969 | Tony Jacklin | England | -4 |
| 1963 | Bob Charles | New Zealand | -3 |
| 1958 | Peter Thomson | Australia | -6 |
| 1952 | Bobby Locke | South Africa | -1 |
| 1926 | Bobby Jones | USA | 291 gross |
Royal Lytham and St Anne's Golf Club is situated 6 miles south of Blackpool, just a mile from St Annes-on-the-Sea train station.
Address: Links Gate, Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire, England, FY8 3LQ
Andrew
✓26 Mar 2019
Fantastic rooms ... just lacked a kettle in the room
Robert
✓24 May 2026
Very disappointed. We had to play off mats on approach shots. Ruined the experience. Greens were long and had fertiliser on them. Held up at have way house for 45 minutes by 4 4 balls in front of us. Took 5 and 1/2 hours to get round. Also not very welcoming. Easily the the worst open course we have been on. Had to park down the road as no room in small car park. Would not go back. Make sure you can play out of bunkers they are everywhere.
JOHN
✓22 May 2026
Iain
✓1 Apr 2026
Fabulous experience. Very windy but course in great condition and was really enjoyable. Staff were very friendly and helpful.
Christopher
✓8 Mar 2026
We were made very welcome when we arrived in the pro shop by the staff. We then went to the club house and had a drink and breakfast which was very good, again the staff in there were very nice and friendly. The time out on the course was amazing , the course was in great condition . When we came off we were given a voucher each because we had had to play off mats on the fairways. Which we thought was a very nice thing to do.
Richard
✓10 Oct 2025
Paddy
✓10 May 2025
Krista
✓10 Jul 2024
Krista
✓10 Jul 2024
Since we had to drive an hour there and back had no time to enjoy the facilities pre and post round. Course was top class.
Karl
✓10 Jul 2023
Great venue and course, but 4 Americans with caddies in front of us made the round too slow.
Pádraic
✓21 Mar 2023
they are doing a refurbishment and the facilities are minimal as a result . The greens had a lot of sand which took from the experience .
Check-in from 12:30pm | Check-out from 9am
7-10am
Jacket and Tie required
The Dining Room
Yes
Yes
£50 plus discretionary
Tee times for visitors are available between 2:40-4pm
There is 1 bar on site
There is complimentary car parking
