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Royal Birkdale, England |
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Royal Birkdale Golf Club
Waterloo Road
Birkdale
Southport
Merseyside
PR8 2LX
England |  | George Low, FW Hawtree and JH Taylor |  | Brian Hodgkinson |
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 | +44 (0)1704 567920 |  | 1.5 miles S of Southport |
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Golf Club Website
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 | Contact in advance - Not Sat |  | Mike Gilyeat |
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 Nine-time Open Championship venue, Royal Birkdale was the last English course to be added to the Open rotation. Turnberry is the most junior Open Championship venue.
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Date
1954
1961
1965
1971
1976
1983
1991
1998
2008 |
Winner
Peter Thomson
Arnold Palmer
Peter Thomson
Lee Trevino
Johnny Miller
Tom Watson
Ian Baker-Finch
Mark O'Meara
P.Harrington |
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Country
Australia
USA
Australia
USA
USA
USA
Australia
USA
Ireland |
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| | The Birkdale (as Royal Birkdale Golf Club was originally called) was a nine-hole golf course located at Shaw Hills and it opened for play in October 1889. In 1894, the committee decided to extend the course to 18-holes and move it to its current home at Birkdale Hills. Designed by George Low, the course was ready in 1897. In the 1930s, the course was remodelled and upgraded to championship standard by FW Hawtree and JH Taylor. In his book, Golf Between Two Wars, Bernard Darwin writes: “J.H. Taylor was the architect and he has unquestionably made of Birkdale a ‘big’ course on which it is good fun to see the big men stretch themselves… no bad player is going to win over Birkdale, and yet it is no slogger’s paradise, for in the English Championship the final was fought between Arnold Bentley and W Sutton, who are neither of them particularly long drivers.”
The club was simply known as Birkdale until 1951 when King George VI bestowed the royal charter on the club. Royal Birkdale Golf Club has hosted all the important events - the Ryder Cup, Walker Cup, Curtis Cup, Ladies British Open Championship. The British Open Championship has been hosted at Birkdale no fewer than nine times (most recently in 2008).
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Royal Birkdale Golf Club played host to the 1965 and 1969 Ryder Cup matches between the USA and Great Britain. Team Captains in 1965 were Byron Nelson (US) and Harry Weetman (GB). Despite injury problems the Americans outplayed the British at their own links game, using low punch shots into the ever-present wind. The face of the Ryder Cup changed forever after Birkdale member Brian Park donated £11,000 for the erection of a tented village, a trade exhibition and the carrying of the now all-familiar banners showing individual match scores. USA 19 ½ - GB 12 ½. The Ryder Cup was played at East Lake in 1963 and at Champions in 1967.
Team Captains in 1969 were Sam Snead (US) and Eric Brown (GB). This was the closest contest in Ryder Cup history with 17 of the 32 matches being decided on the last hole. With the 18th Ryder Cup tied, focus was on the last match as Jack Nicklaus stunned the world of golf by conceding a tricky two-footer to Tony Jacklin. It resulted in the first tie in Ryder Cup history and the act is known simply as “The Concession” and is widely considered golf’s greatest single sporting gesture. USA 16 - GB 16. The Ryder Cup was played at Old Warson in 1971. |
It truly is a famous links and widely recognised for its fairness. If you hit the fairways, rarely will the ball be thrown off course. The fairways are laid out in the flat-bottomed valleys between the towering dunes. These dunes, in turn, provide superb viewing platforms for spectators. Invariably in immaculate condition, Royal Birkdale is a very tough cookie to master. The greens were re-built prior to the 1998 Open and despite their youth, are extremely difficult to read.
Birkdale has a superfluity of great golf holes. The 12th, a 183-yard par three is a classic hole and as natural as you can get. From a raised tee, the ball must carry across a hollow, whilst avoiding four deep pot bunkers before coming to rest on a narrow, raised green that is nestled at the feet of tussocky sand dunes. The par five 15th is Birkdale’s longest hole and one of the most heavily bunkered on the course; knock it straight down the middle off the tee and then using a long iron or a fairway wood, avoid the bunkers spread-eagled across the fairway; chip it on and, bingo, an easy five! The monstrous 18th has seen drama over the years, a heavily bunkered par four measuring 476 yards. Only our best two shots in the bag will see us putting for a birdie.
Royal Birkdale can be a torrid experience when the wind is up, with white horses kicking and rearing their heads in the Irish Sea, crashing like kamikazes onto the beach. In these conditions, many of the carries from tees to fairways into the prevailing wind can be too much for the average golfer. But whatever the weather, Royal Birkdale is a provocative place to play golf. | |
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |  | | | This is the best course I have played in England. I just finished a "Royal" tour of England which included playing Birkdale, Liverpool, Lytham St. Annes, and St. Georges (this is the order I rate them) and Birkdale is head and shoulders above the others. Moreover the staff and pro shop are super friendly. I had a beer with and "artisan" and lunch with a member. I rarely play 36 anymore but I HAD to re round at Birkdale. |
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| 09 May 2013
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| | I recently returned to Birkdale after a long time away. In my opinion, it is the outstanding course on the stretch from Hoylake up to Lytham. Every hole is great, and while the back nine at Hillside has the most spectacular views in the area, in the final analysis Birkdale is without peer. It is as good a course as I have seen anywhere. In addition, over the past ten years, the staff and members appear to have come a long way in being more welcoming to visitors. I found this a very welcome change. |
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| 26 April 2013
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| | A fantastic experience. Conditions were perfect though the rough was particularly thick. The design and feel of this course is just magnificent . The best condition course I have ever played . Loved it and can't wait to get back there. |
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| 12 November 2012
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| | I had the pleasure of playing this absolute star of a course courtesy of a successful bet on Ernie Els winning the British Open and I have to thank Mr Els for affording me such a treat! On arrival you are warmly welcomed with the sight of the iconic clubhouse and subsequently by friendly, helpful staff. The starter then set me off with a good line down the first and away I went into golfing bliss...This course really does exceed all expectations in terms of its layout, challenge and fun! Fortunately I was having a "good day" and managed to get it round in 79 including an eagle at the last and this made me realise 2 things whilst enjoying my celebratory Guiness overlooking the 18th green:
1. despite its beauty its not the true Links that I had imagined as the fairways are actually quite flat without all the usual lumps and bumps you find on many other Links which took away some of "luck" that you typically need on many a links course
2. I had absolute perfect conditions to take advantage...there was no wind to give the course the teeth that it needs and recent rain had softened the course to stop balls rolling through fairways and enable me to stop balls on the greens
Had we had a real summer to dry out the course and had it been blowing, even moderately, I think the course me would have eaten me alive - this is why I'll be back...I want to give this course the chance to gets its own back by playing it in less benign conditions. |
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| 22 September 2012
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| | I visted Royal Birkdale in Feb 2012 and I can testify that it is a world class golfing experience from arrival to departure. As a visiting Australian, I found the pro shop and clubhouse team to be welcoming and professional. The course, even in winter, is absolutely magnificent with hole after hole of challenging and memorable shots. Royal Birkdale is a stunning golf course that presents links golf at its best. I will be back! |
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| 17 July 2012
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| | A wonderfall golf experience across the board: a classic, straightforward links design; excellent course conditioning (fairways, greens, traps); a full variety of shots required; and, (esp. in the wet summer of early 2012) penal rough. You really don't want to leave the fairway too often on this championship-level course, and short hitters should definitely choose the appropriate set of tees to avoid a very long day. No tricks involved in playing Birkdale, just the requirement of continuously hitting strong, straight shots. (Middlle-level handicappers may want to play the stronger par 4s as par fives to avoid constantly hitting 200 yard second shots to well-guarded greeens. The greens putted very true and good approach shots held nicely. Staff is friendly and the clubhouse is chocked full of golf history. Excellent value for the admittedly (but appropriately) steep price. A real treat for the serious player with a sense of golf history. |
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| 11 July 2012
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| | We were lucky to play here on a mild and calm February day with only a few glimpses of how the wind can effect the course so much. After receiving a warm welcome from all the staff we tee'd off with the course just about to ourselves. Hole after hole of magical golf, just about all of them are excellent, maybe 15-18 not as good as the rest as there is a lack of the dunes that dominate the first 14 holes. If I had to choose the stand out holes I would go with the 6th-9th stretch, just awesome. The course was also in great condition after lots of wet weather, greens not as fast or smooth as Royal Liverpool which we played the day before. Would love to return here, so I better get saving now! |
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| 22 February 2011
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| I played Royal Birkdale on 19th November 2010. It was a sunny day 7c and only 8mph wind, so the beast was certainly asleep. Every detail about Royal Birkdale exudes quality, The staff couldn’t be more helpful and friendly. The famous Art Deco style Clubhouse is beautifully presented inside also. Even the changing rooms are 5 stars. But you do pay for the privilege; £120 per round in the winter (including a delicious soup and sandwich voucher worth £9) rising to a lofty £175 per round in the summer. If you have suffient golf balls remaining and strong enough glue securing your toupee, then you can play a second 18 holes and 50% discount. That is if it is quiet enough and you don’t impede the members tee times (see club website for restrictions).
I’m not a links golf fan, I’ve played Royal Porthcawl once many years ago and remember having far to many unfair lies after reasonable drives. I also experienced putting on the green into a bunker a stroke I understand is called de greening! Also I’ve never really thought links courses look particularly attractive on the TV either. However, 18 holes at Royal Birkdale has completely changed my mind.
The course was in good condition for the time of year. I won’t go on in essay form about each hole but it was just simply magical. The fairways are fair and if you hit the target you won’t find an unfair lie. The majority of the holes have huge dunes encapsulating them giving each hole its own privacy. The par 3’s 7, 12 & 14 are absolutely fabulous. There aren’t any poor holes but I would agree with previous reviews that 15, 16, 17 and 18 aren’t quite in the same high class bracket as the previous 14. I can imagine that when the wind blows it would be a savage course to play. Solid, accurate ball striking is demanded and very focused course management.
As I mentioned I've only played two links courses, but Royal Birkdale isn't rated number 7 currently in the World by accident. So if you want to experience one of the best links courses in the world get out your credit card (we are all a long time dead) and experience Royal Birkdale, it’s surely how golf is meant to be. |
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| 25 November 2010
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| | Marvellous!Played during the Ryder Cup final day 04.10.10 so the course was deserted.It was sunny and calm so i was able to play somewhere near my handicap.Loved the dunes - a real links feel ,walking through the valleys from a multitude of elevated tees was great.The place was immaculate very true, quick greens which weren`t over the top with undulation.Holes 9 to 14 phenomenal.My only criticism ,we sometimes found it hard to locate the tees - some signs please? |
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| 07 October 2010
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| | Best links course I have played. In my opinion it over shadows St Andrews, Lytham, Royal St George's, Carnoustie, Turnberry and Royal County Down (and many others) in almost every sense. We played it in sideways rain, and despite a 7,7 start I recovered to a very satisfying round of 79. Brilliant course, just brilliant. |
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| 01 August 2010
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| Response: | | | David McKie | 16 September 2010 | | Having played Royal Lytham, Kingsbarns, Prestwick, Turnberry and Troon, I didn't expect to come to the view that a course could put all of them in the shade, but Birkdale did just that this week. It was absolutely superb. Immaculately maintained, each hole with its own unique character and a simply wonderful test of golf. Even the clubhouse exceeded my expectations. The best golf course I've ever played. |
| | | Have played Birkdale twice now as a members guest and it goes down as my favourite course, just edging out it's neighbour Hillside. Had played hillside first, didn't think i could enjoy birkdale as much, but i did. Hillside is prettier, but birkdale knits together better and is more consistent, would probably have 9 holes from each if i could make a composite course, but birkdale has a slight edge. Best hole for me is the 9th, although the famous 12th is also very good, as are 2,6,8 and 11. Would agree with a coulpe of other reviews that the end is a little disappointing. You come back to the clubhouse after 14 and the last 4 are in a loop, that i feel are not quite as good as the rest. Hitting up to that iconic clubhouse is a real thrill though. This is a great golfing experience. |
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| 10 May 2010
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| | Played R Birkdale on 24.03.10, the whole experience including the fabulous clubhouse and the amazing golf course was just fantastic. It is without question the best course i have played in my 24 years of playing. |
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| 26 March 2010
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| | Absolutely fantastic course. Tough but very fair and in excellent condition. Played here on a lovely thursday morning and had the course to ourselves!! All the holes were very good with some good birdie opportunities but the 6th, 12th and 17th were the stand out holes and the 18th provides a wonderful finish in front of the clubhouse. £120 for a green fee but excellent value and the staff and starter made us very welcome. Definatley be back. |
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| 23 October 2009
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| | I guess most serious, travelling golfers have a list of Top 10 'must play' courses - if Royal B isn't on your list, you're letting the best in golf pass you by - shame I played it in driving rain but OMG...what a course - I've played some of the very best around the world and this goes straight into my top 3 [alongside Ballybunion & Royal County Down] - sublime! |
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| 23 October 2009
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| | I have just returned from Royal Birkdale with 3 friends, the course without doubt remains one of my favorites, the Tees, Fairways & Greens were 1st Class. if you have to beg, save or borrow to play please do so before the legs, swing or heart gives in. I would like also to thank Brian in the Pro-Shop and all the other staff for the courtesy that was showed to us on the day. |
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| 23 September 2009
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| | nice! quite a few blind shots and shame you don't get the views that you get at Hillside next door. worth the visit especially for the history! |
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| 13 August 2009
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| | Played Royal Birkdale on thursday and have nothing bad to say about it. The course was in fabulous condition and was an absolute pleasure to play, with accurate driving a necessity. No dull holes at all, plenty of great ones, possibly the greatest of which, the par 3 12th. A medium length par 3, with a small green perched high up, with dunes either side and bunkers short. A tough test especially in the wind and rain which we played it in. Would place it above the likes of Turnberry, Ballybunion, Waterville and Royal Lytham and St Annes, all of which I have played. |
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| 18 July 2009
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| | loved it!!! would rate it as 2nd best course after kragerø! super! |
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| 06 June 2009
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| | I had the good fortune to play Royal Birkdale yesterday and was not disappointed. The course was in terrific condition, the fairways were tight and fast running, the greens were true (if a little slow), and there wasn't a weak hole on the course. Outstanding holes were the 12th and 17th - Tom Watson called the 12th his favourite par 3 in golf, and the view from the 17th green from the fairway is outstanding - you realise how good Harrington's 2nd shot on the 71st hole at the Open last year was, although the green is a bit artificial and totally different to the other greens on the course. The finish was a touch disappointing - fairly flat holes and not as much character as the previous 14 - but the level of customer service was terrific, and well worth a visit. Not 100% sure on the no 1 ranking in England- Royal St George's gets my vote. |
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| 19 May 2009
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| | I just can't bring myself to give Birkdale top rating. It is a superb golf course, of that there's no doubt, and in the two to three club wind that we played it in it is a brutal test. But the finish from the non-pro tees really is disappointing: 3 par 5's in the last 4 holes and none of them really much of a challenge. The 17th is the best of these and the approach if you're going for it in two is certainly dangerous, making padraig's 5 wood last year that much more impressive. But the 18th is a let down if played as a par 5. If you are looking for real thrills, spills and big dunes, try Hillside next door. |
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| 18 May 2009
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| Response: | | | chris | 27 July 2010 | | The course is a completely different experience from the back tees. If you had played the last 4 off them I'm sure your opinion would be different. In a 3 club wind you just wouldn't have finished if you played from the championship tees which are further back again. Played Royal St George's earlier in the year and that is the only course in England which comes close to Birkdale as a golfing experience. |
| | | Beautiful, Difficult, Fair golf course. Huge sand dunes line the holes and define the shots, when the wind comes up it makes you grind and think your way around, the par threes are among the best on any course, just a stern test. Club house - nice inside, friendly staff, golf shop well stocked, a real treat to play here with all of it's glorious history. Very expensive to play not worth the tariff. If you can afford it play it if not play West Lancs they are similar enough. |
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| 04 January 2009
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| Response: | | | Jim McCann | 05 January 2009 | | Excuse me... Birkdale and West Lancs SIMILAR ENOUGH??? I don't think so, and not by a country mile!!! West Lancs is a very good course, sensibly priced for the visitor and well worth playing but any similarity to Birkdale is confined to its geographical location - in no way could the experience of playing at Birkdale come close to that of its coastal neighbour, sorry. Birkdale IS very expensive but then courses at the very top end usually are - the tariff IS steep, I agree, however, what price to be able to play such a magestic course with such a golfing pedigree? Thank God we can still pay to play 99% of all top venues in GB&I, unlike other countries I could name. |
| | | Played the course on a sunny and windy day (2-3 clubs worth). great experience, great course, great clubhouse and not many out on the course. didn't feel like an outsider like you can feel like with many other courses. highly recommended, start saving now. |
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| 23 October 2008
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| | As it says it is a brute & i sure did find that out. A very bitter North West wind blew & but is stayed dry. The way the greens were set into the dunes is what really made this course the outstanding. I played awful lost 6 balls but for some reason we as golfers loved to be punished & somehow still get enjoyment out of it. Best course i have played by far but would love to play it on a calm day. The greens were a bit furry but with how the wind blew that was for the best. |
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| 20 October 2008
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| | Very tough, not my idea of fun. I am a good player, and unfortunately not a big fan of links golf. I preferred the local courses of Formby and Hillside which I found challenging but also offered a good chance of a decent score. If the wind blows at Birkdale it really is difficult as we saw at the Open. Great clubhouse, and friendly staff. |
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| 26 September 2008
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| | Played the course this morning as a members guest and it was trully brilliant. Quite simply the best i've played and it really has recovered well from the open stands and crowds. |
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| 25 September 2008
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| | Superb course and very pretty but not the toughest on the rota, played to handicap (10) despite five three putts but there was no wind. Looking forward to the open. |
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| 19 March 2008
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| | Although lots has been said about the course, a special mention to the Pro and bar staff and the clubhouse. All of which i felt really added to the day and made it all the more special!!!
Regarding the course, it is simply the best I have played!! |
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| 06 February 2008
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| | If you like your links golf to be "fair" then Birkdale is probably your cup of tea. For me though I think it's on the boring side when compared to the truly great links of the Isles; highly overrated in the rankings. and bolstered by the Open and pros who like their golf to be "fair". Take a close look at the architecture. Nearly all the holes are routed on flat land between the dunes and so there's a lack of variety. And unless you're wild off the tee, the dunes don't affect play as much as on links like Sandwich and Ballybunion. Is there a less inspired hole than the 13th on the Open rota? Additionally, the green contours aren't all that exciting and don't compare in interest to the real great links such as: Portrush, St Andrews, Dornoch, Rye.... Gimme Sandwich any day! England's true #1. |
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| 28 August 2007
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| Response: | | | Fred | 02 December 2007 | | Quite agree. Played the course this weekend and thought although it was a consistent test with some strong bunkering, it just doesn't have the muscle and majesty of the great links like St Georges, which I played earlier in the year and thought was a far superior course. |
| | | Played it recently on a cold windy day and my o my, really found out what a links style course can do to you. Found it much like Royal St. Georges (the only other Open rota courses I've played) and the difference between a very ordinary round and an extremely difficult one can be made by the wind. The bunkers are no joke but the main difficulty is judging the way and distance around the mounds. The par 3s were very ordinary but the par 4s are where the hard work has to be done. |
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| 17 July 2007
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| | This is simply the very best course in the GB and UK. No question |
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| 04 May 2007
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| | I have played all of the courses on the current Open rota. Birkdale is quite simply the best. It has everything a links devotee could want. Just down the road Royal Liverpool is at the opposite end of the scale being flat, forgettable and pointless. |
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| 03 April 2007
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| | Played in June 2006, in a howling 35-40 mph, and still enjoyed it immensely. You can tell that this is a tremendous course as you play it. Not tricked-up at all. Bring your handicap card, as it is asked for upon check-in. |
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| 15 March 2007
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| | All I can do is echo what has been said before. True quality from start to finish, not the jaw dropping stunning views like Turnberry, Old Head and Kingsbarns - but this is fantastic... Love the 17th green hope they do in 2008. |
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| 07 September 2006
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| | What an unbelievable golf course. Royal Birkdale is a fantastic links course that deserves all of the accolades and praise that it has received. Every hole is a unique and interesting championship test. The course winds it way through the marvelous Merseyside dunesland, but the dunes serve to frame the holes as you play around, but not over the dunes. This gives each hole a unique, almost isolated feel. Although a very modern and up to date track, there are still shots like the blind tee shot on 9 to remind you that you are, indeed, playing links golf.
The course was in fantastic shape, even with the dry weather this past summer. The greens were especially good. The challenge of Birkdale is apparent from the opening tee shot. A high dune guards the left hand side of the fairway, while out of bounds guards the right. With a prevailing left to right wind, a slight controlled draw is almost mandatory to hit the fairway. Yet on 2 and 5 a fade will give the best result off the tee. So it goes throughout the course. The diabolically placed bunkers seem to threaten you on every shot making proper club selection a difficult task. I loved this course, and I can see why it is the top ranked course in England. The new green at 17 will certainly be controversial. The green does seem a bit out of place, but I think it makes the hole much more interesting and challenging. I'm looking forward to seeing what the pros think at the 2008 open. If you enjoy golf, and especially if you enjoy links golf, you owe it to yourself to play this magnificent track. Richard Smith, Knoxville Tennessee |
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| 14 August 2006
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| | Nothing to add really to Jim's words. A marvellous place not as "dunny" as we all thought and we even almost had the place to ourselves! Tough course with bunkers in play for most tee shots. Not as stuffy as some other top venues and we felt most welcome. Fantastic clubhouse too... |
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| 22 June 2006
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| | Birkdale is a brilliant Open venue with acres of space in and around the sandhills on the course – so much so that it looks like there’s room for another 18 holes here, though the dunes were not as imposing as I had anticipated before playing – you want dunes, go play Portstewart (Strand) front nine holes! I was surprised by the almost parkland feel to the early part of the course from holes 3 to 5 and further surprised by blind tee shots at the 9th and 16th holes – they still allow this in the modern era of Open venues, marvellous! The undulations of the putting surfaces on holes 5 and 17 also raised eyebrows and I predict the latter recently redesigned green will draw some criticism when the Open is played at Birkdale in 2008. The tee boxes, fairways and greens were in the condition you would expect from a course that is consistently in the top 10 rankings (which is something that cannot always said about other top tracks!). The clubhouse exterior design and interior fittings are most impressive and the atmosphere in the main mixed bar area was very informal – no stuffed shirts here! A word too for the very efficient staff in the pro shop, the old boy at the starter’s hut and the people behind the bar (for arranging late evening meals) who were all very helpful and made our visit memorable. James McCann |
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| 21 June 2006
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| Response: | | | Richard Smith | 11 March 2008 | | The "old boy" on the first tee is Burt, and meeting him is worth the green's fee! | | | Cedric | 16 July 2008 | | Spot on Jim about the 17th green!!! See the BBC |
| | | How can a course be any better? In fantastic condition with a fantastic layout. Our hosts and members alike were very welcoming. |
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| 17 May 2006
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| | Royal Birkdale has been closed all winter so I can't wait for it to open its doors again to vistitors. I played here last September on a fairly benign day and as I was making my merry way along, I couldn't get the famous Groove Armada song out of my head which goes something like: "If you're fond of sand dunes and salty air"... and if you are a dune lover, you can't go far wrong here. Royal Birkdale is quite right and properly England's best course - nothing really comes near to it for a complete all round test. No weak holes, just a brilliant links course and a fair one too which is quite unusual. |
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| 06 March 2006
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| | What a tremendous golf course. Since moving to the North West 5 years ago I have played this course at every opportunity. Wonderful layout which tests golfers of all abilities. Very fair if you hit it straight - but beware the rough if you find it you will be punished! definately rated in my top three courses only behind Muirfield and possibly just ahead of Sunningdale. I dream of playing golf at Royal Birkdale for the rest of my life! |
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| 25 February 2006
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| | For me, Royal Birkdale is the most complete of the Open venues. It’s a fair course with relatively flat fairways but the dunes give each of the holes tremendous form and definition. The opening hole is one of the toughest I’ve ever played…having played here on more than ten occasions and never even bettered bogey! If you don’t know a member I appreciate that it’s expensive to play here but I urge every true links lover to play this course at least once and I guarantee that you’ll want to play it again and again and in doing so, you’ll love it more and more. Birkdale is a supreme test of golf and the art deco clubhouse is the perfect place to reflect on the round with a beer or two. |
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| 24 March 2005
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| | Best Links course played so far. |
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| 27 August 2004
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| | If Muirfield didn't exist, this would be my number 1. The course has everything, and matches the best. Can there be 2 better courses in such a small area as Birkdale & Hillside. Well worth a visit to Southport? |
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| 27 May 2004
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