Courses in England
England is home to many historic and notable golf courses, and it holds a special place in the golfing world, hosting prestigious events and championships. Four of these courses are part of the esteemed Open Championship Rota, which means they regularly host The Open Championship, one of the oldest and most prestigious golf tournaments globally. Here's more detail on these remarkable courses:
Royal Lytham & St. Annes
Royal Lytham & St Annes, host of the Open Championship for eleven years, was the fourth English course to hold the event, following Royal St George's, Royal Liverpool, and Royal Cinque Ports.
The northernmost of the English championship links courses, Royal Lytham & St Annes is located just ten miles away, as the seagull flies, from its famed neighbour, Royal Birkdale. Eleven years after the club was founded, in 1897, this monstrous links finally opened for play after being relocated from its previous position. The links were designed by the club's first professional, George Lowe, and Harry Colt made additional layout changes in the intervals between the wars.
Though it is no longer by the water, this path nevertheless connects things. Although it is currently half a mile inland, you can tell the sea is close by because of Blackpool Tower, which is visible in the distance. Surrounding the links are red brick residences, which is somewhat unique; the railway line to the west of the links is less unusual. The Victorian clubhouse, protector of the courses, is always watching, sternly. Compared to many of its peers, conditioning is frequently superb and less rough and ready on the outside. With the possible exception of a few holes, where the going is somewhat slanted, the terrain is generally level.
Royal St. Georges
After St Andrews, Prestwick, and Muirfield, Royal St George's is the fourth most popular Open location, having hosted 15 Opens. It was the first English course to hold the Open Championship.
In 1894, Sandwich held its first of fifteen Open Championships, just seven years after the game began. The inaugural Open to be held outside of Scotland was this one.
The layout of the course is not conventionally out and back. Each nine is loosely a figure of eight, with a large circular shape akin to Muirfield's. The natural look and feel of Royal St. George's is unmistakably natural, blending in perfectly with the surrounding dune grasses, wild flowers, and lark's melodious song. An interesting encounter is guaranteed with commanding views across Pegwell Bay and the white cliffs of Dover.
Every hole is distinctive and unforgettable, which is a hallmark of a top-notch golf course. A few other distinctive elements of Royal St George's are the thatched roof shelters, the red cross of St George on the flags, and the UK's tallest and deepest bunker, which is located on the fourth hole and is carved out of a massive dune. Encounter the tranquilly of the 'Elysian Fields' fairway beyond if you can carry the renowned bunker on this 470-yard par four.
Royal Liverpool
A 220-acre diamond-shaped piece of land that extends over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean is the site of Old Head Golf Links. As you play the course, various caves run beneath the promontory, which is almost an island. 180 acres are taken up by the links and practice area, and the remaining 40 acres of undeveloped cliff surround the course. It is a unique piece of golf real estate that makes many golfers and visitors pinch themselves when they drive through the historic entryway with the Atlantic Ocean 300 feet below them crashing in unison.
The stroll over the scented Hydrangea and Rosa Rugosa bordering the Old Head driveway provides breathtaking panoramas across the immaculate golf course, with the mighty ocean on both sides and beyond the renowned lighthouse that lies in front, adding to the sensory overload.
With a minimum of six tees each hole, Old Head's par 72 layout, which includes five Par 5s, five Par 3s, and eight Par 4s, is playable by golfers of any handicap level. The course extends from the ladies' tees at 5,413 yards to over 7,100 yards from the tips. All eighteen holes offer unmatched ocean views, with nine of them running along the cliff tops. The course offers a tough but fair test to the touring pro and the high handicapper alike with the constantly shifting sea breezes.
Depending on the current weather, the course is put up every day. A warm-up range, putting green, and short game practice area are available amenities. Old Head boasts a fantastic Clubhouse and a team of excellent and welcoming service workers to take care of the players' and residents' every need. The attention to detail is as exceptional as our welcome, with exquisitely furnished and managed locker rooms lined with oak and equipped with spa showers.
Royal Birkdale
The final English course to be included to the Open rotation was Royal Birkdale, home of the Open Championship for ten years.
Before the club received a royal charter from King George VI in 1951, it was only known as Birkdale. All of the major competitions, including the Ryder Cup, Walker Cup, Curtis Cup, and Ladies British Open Championship, have been held at Royal Birkdale Golf Club. Birkdale has played host to the Open Championship eight times (the most recent being in 2017).
It is a renowned link that is well-known for being equitable. Seldom will the ball go off course if you strike the fairways. The valleys with level bottoms between the tall sand dunes are where the fairways are set out. In turn, these dunes offer excellent viewing areas for onlookers. Always spotless, Royal Birkdale is a really difficult cookie to get right. The greens were rebuilt before the 1998 Open, and even though they are young, they are very challenging to read.
Birkdale boasts an abundance of excellent golf holes. When the wind is blowing, Royal Birkdale can be a wild place, with white horses charging into the Irish Sea, rearing their heads and slamming onto the shore like kamikazes. Many of the carries from tees to fairways into the prevailing wind can be too much for the typical golfer under these conditions. However, Royal Birkdale is an interesting venue to play golf in any kind of weather.
Royal Cinque Ports
After Royal St George's and Royal Liverpool, Royal Cinque Ports was the third English course to hold the Open Championship; the only courses with fewer Opens hosted are Royal Portrush and Prince's.
In February 1892, Royal Cinque Ports, or Deal as it is more widely known, was established.
Deal is a links course that is pure raw force. The final seven holes, or rather the back nine, are particularly tough as they always play right into the teeth of the dominant south westerly wind. The design is bleak and devoid of color; the only things giving this slender out-and-back plan any true definition are the sandhills and wild dune grasses. Awkward stances are to be expected because to the fairways' narrow and hanging lays. Let's not sugarcoat the fact that this is a challenging course. Make up ground on the first nine, or Deal has the ability to turn even the greatest golfers into weekend amateurs.
Let's go back a hundred years. Deal's golf course is still excellent. In actuality, the course is getting better because to constant funding, diligence, and Martin Ebert's direction. Even the knowledgeable critics of golf course architecture concur.
The par five third hole was extended in 2019 and features a tee that was moved from the right side of the second green to the left. The fairway was also rearranged and grassed with cores from previous courses as it leads to an amazing punchbowl green complex.
Enjoy yet another upgrade at the recently renovated 16th hole, a par five with a divided fairway. It was nearly impossible for the single-digit golfer to keep the green as it was a par four and difficult to approach with a long iron. Now a three-shot hole, #16 provides a little break from the wind as you go home.
Princes
The land for Prince's was given by the Earl of Guildford to Sir Harry Mallaby-Deeley, who recruited Charles Hutchings, the 1902 Amateur Champion, and his friend Percy Montagu Lucas, the honorary secretary at Cromer Golf Club, to lay out the 18-hole course in 1904.
During the building of the links, Lucas sought advice from three individuals: Scottish international golfers Cecil Hutchinson and Mure Fergusson, as well as Herbert Fowler, the designer of Walton Heath's two superb golf courses.
In April of 1952, the links was eventually reopened as a 27-hole facility with an 18-hole Championship Blue course and a Red 9-hole layout. The majority of the original greens were retained in the new configuration.
The Himalayas is a favourite circuit for many members despite the Shore & Dunes' high ranking because it allows them to play a quick round on the shortest of the three nines. This loop includes the longest par five on the property at the 680-yard sixth hole, which is the hole closest to the coast.
The eighth and fourth holes share a double green, another homage to traditional course architecture. The ninth hole's final tee shot is directed towards a semi-blind fairway that leads to the home green, which is defended to the left by the renowned Sarazen bunker.
Architect Martin Ebert's redesign of the Himalayas Nine was shown by Prince in the summer of 2017. In order to create a long par five, the current second and third holes were combined. A new second tee was built to the right of the first first fairway. After the current fifth hole (new fourth hole), a brief par three fifth hole was added, playing towards the sea. Currently, the eighth hole is a short, driveable par four with everlasting marshes arranged on both sides of the fairway. May 2018 saw the opening of the new holes.
Walton Heath
Walton Heath Golf Club stands as a monument to the rich tapestry of golfing and political history, nestled within its challenging heathland layouts. Renowned globally, it has earned its place among the elite clubs, with both its courses consistently ranked among the finest in the UK and Ireland.
The club's legacy stretches back to its founding in 1903, marking the beginning of a journey that would see it become a cherished institution in the world of golf. Despite its relatively young age, Walton Heath quickly rose to prominence, attracting notable figures from both the sporting and political spheres.
One of the club's most distinguished features is its two exceptionally challenging heathland courses, which have garnered praise from legends such as Jack Nicklaus. The Old Course, in particular, holds a special place in the annals of golfing history, having secured a position in the World's Top 100 rankings every year since 1938.
The club's association with royalty adds a regal touch to its storied past. HRH the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, assumed the role of Captain in 1935, further elevating Walton Heath's status. This royal connection continued to imbue the club with prestige and glamour over the years.
Moreover, the presence of renowned figures like James Braid, a five-time Open champion who served as the club's first professional, and Winston Churchill, who frequented the club as a sanctuary from the demands of his political duties, adds layers of historical significance to Walton Heath.
With its blend of rich heritage, exceptional courses, and illustrious patrons, Walton Heath Golf Club remains a beacon of excellence in the world of golf, continuing to inspire awe and admiration among players and enthusiasts alike
Sunningdale
Sunningdale Golf Club is another esteemed institution in the world of golf, located in Sunningdale, Berkshire, England. Founded in 1900, Sunningdale has established itself as one of the premier golf clubs not only in the UK but also globally.
The club boasts two championship courses: the Old Course and the New Course. Both courses were designed by the legendary golf course architect Harry Colt, who is renowned for his ability to create layouts that seamlessly blend with the natural landscape. The Old Course, in particular, is highly regarded for its strategic layout and pristine conditioning, attracting top players from around the world.
Over the years, Sunningdale has played host to numerous prestigious tournaments, including the European Tour's BMW PGA Championship and the Senior Open Championship. Its rich history and challenging courses have earned it a place among the most revered golfing destinations.
In addition to its golfing excellence, Sunningdale Golf Club is also known for its elegant clubhouse and traditional atmosphere, providing members and guests with a refined and welcoming environment.
With its combination of world-class courses, storied history, and timeless charm, Sunningdale Golf Club continues to hold a special place in the hearts of golfers and enthusiasts worldwide.
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