Royal Birkdale hosted the Open Championship in 2017, when Jordan Spieth won, and you can book a tee time there yourself. It isn’t a closed members’ club. This guide covers what the Southport links is like to play, what a visit costs in time and money, and when you’re better off staying home.

Why Royal Birkdale Rewards Straight Golf, Not Long Golf

Royal Birkdale sits in Southport, Merseyside, on the coast between Liverpool and Blackpool. The club was founded in 1889, and the course you play today owes its shape to the 1930s redesign by F.G. Hawtree and J.H. Taylor.

Dune valleys, not open links

Many people picture a bare, windswept links. Birkdale is different. Most fairways run in valleys between tall sandhills, so you get shelter and a clear sense of where to aim. Wind still matters on the exposed holes and on the way back in, but the ground is flatter and fairer than most links courses.

What that means for your game

The dunes punish wild drives and reward a steady, repeatable swing. A 200-yard drive down the middle beats a 260-yard one into the rough, where the grass is thick and the sandhills swallow balls. Pot bunkers (small, deep and steep-faced) guard the greens, so aim for the middle and take your par.

If you hit the ball straight but modestly, this is a course that suits you. The drawback is that bunkers here are properly deep, and a bad one can cost you two shots.

The Holes You’ll Remember: 6th, 12th and 18th

Three holes tend to stay with visitors. Each shows a different side of the design.

The 6th is a long par 4 that plays through the dunes and tests your second shot as much as your drive. The 12th is a short par 3 played towards a green set among sandhills, and it’s one of the most photographed holes on the course. The 18th is a par 5 finish, played toward the famous art deco clubhouse, which looks like a ship moored at the end of the fairway.

Championship tees play to a par of 70, at roughly 7,100 yards, and visitors normally play shorter tees. Pick the set that matches your real carry distance, not your best-ever drive. Playing from the back tees mostly costs you time, and a slow round annoys the group behind.

A Short History: Opens, Ryder Cups and Women’s Golf

Birkdale has hosted the Open Championship ten times. Spieth’s win in 2017 is the most recent, and he finished three shots clear of Matt Kuchar. The club has also staged the Women’s Open, the Walker Cup (the amateur match between Great Britain & Ireland and the USA) and the 1969 Ryder Cup, famous for ending in a tie after Jack Nicklaus conceded a short putt to Tony Jacklin.

The 2025 Ryder Cup was not played here. It went to Bethpage Black in New York, so don’t expect Ryder Cup buzz on your visit.

One more warning. Don’t mix Birkdale up with its Open neighbours. Royal Liverpool is at Hoylake on the Wirral, and Royal Lytham & St Annes is on the Fylde coast near Blackpool. Search results and tee-time sites blur them often, so check the address before you book.

Booking a Round: Access, Cost and Etiquette

Visitors can play, but usually only on set days and with advance booking. Green fees at Royal Birkdale are among the higher ones in England, and prices vary by season, so confirm the current rate and visitor days with the club before you plan anything. Expect to pay well into three figures for a summer round.

Here’s what to expect from a visit:

1. Check the club’s current visitor policy and available days.
2. Book early. Popular dates fill well ahead, especially around Open season.
3. Bring a current handicap certificate, as visitors are generally expected to hold one.
4. Pack tidy golf clothes. Collared shirts and tailored shorts or trousers are the norm, and denim and trainers are out.
5. Allow a full day. A round takes about four and a half hours, plus time for lunch.
6. Switch your phone to silent in the clubhouse.

If you don’t have a handicap certificate, don’t turn up hoping for the best. You may be turned away.

Getting There, Weather and Nearby Alternatives

Birkdale railway station is a short walk or taxi ride from the course on the Merseyrail Northern line from Liverpool, so you can leave the car at home. Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport are the nearest major airports, with Manchester further away.

Wind is the real variable. A breeze of 10 to 15 mph is part of the fun, but a gale makes the round a slog, so postpone if the forecast is for 30 mph gusts or more. Avoid the weeks around any Open or major event too, as the course may be closed for preparation.

If Birkdale’s visitor days don’t suit, try neighbouring links. Southport & Ainsdale and Hillside sit close by and offer a similar sandhill test, often at a lower price. Golfyet.com’s links course reviews can help you compare them before you commit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can anyone play Royal Birkdale?

Yes, visitors can book a round, but only on set days and usually with a handicap certificate. Policy changes, so check the club’s current rules before you plan travel or pay a deposit.

Is Royal Birkdale a hard course for an average golfer?

It’s tough but fair. The fairways are generous between the dunes, though deep bunkers and thick rough punish wayward shots. Play the right tees and aim for the middle of greens, and you’ll score better than you expect.

What’s the best way to get to Royal Birkdale without a car?

Take the train to Birkdale station on the Merseyrail Northern line from Liverpool. From Manchester Airport, expect to change trains at least once, so allow extra travel time.