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Open Championship Courses

Follow the Pro's on the Open Championship Rota

⏱ 10 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 list including Turnberry, Carnoustie, Royal Birkdale, Royal St. George's and more, all headed by St Andrews, the most revered of any golfing destination. 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

2024 Royal Troon (Scotland)
2025 Royal Portrush (Northern Ireland)

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 AILSA COURSE REBORN: Day 1 at Turnberry with Mark Crossfield & Co + A Tom Watson Challenge

Open Championship Courses in England

Open venues in England are split into two geographical areas, Kent and the Merseyside / Lancashire coastline. 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).

Those travelling to the North West of England can enjoy the very different layouts found at Royal Liverpool (Hoylake), Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham & St Anne's which will create an excellent golfing tour.

Open Championship Courses in Scotland

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 best course never to have held an Open.

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.

Open Championship Courses in Northern Ireland

Royal Portrush, located around an hour North of Belfast is the only course outside of England and Scotland to have hosted an Open Championship.

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.

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

2

72

7,143

Shane Lowry (269)

Prince's

1902

Henry Cotton, Gene Sarazen and Mackenzie & Ebert

1

72

7,204

Gene Sarazen (283)

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