The history of Royal Birkdale Golf Club

Royal Birkdale Golf Club was founded on July 30, 1889, when nine members organised themselves to form the Birkdale Golf Club on the outskirts of Southport on the coast near Liverpool in the North West of England. The original 9 hole course opened in October 1889. In 1897, the club moved to its present location where 18 holes were laid out by George Lowe, the professional at nearby Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club – home to several Open Champioships itself.

The club had ambitions for Royal Birkdale Golf Club to host a major championship. In preparation further changes were made to the course in 1932 and the iconic clubhouse was finished in 1935. Nearly twenty years later in 1951 the club was granted Royal status.

The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale

Just three years later, The Open first came to Royal Birkdale, Peter Thompson took the maiden victory and he went on to repeat his Birkdale triumph in 1965.

Since then Royal Birkdale has been repeatedly been ranked the best course in England by Golf Monthly, and has hosted the Open Championship ten times the last being in 2017.  it has also been a regular venue for the Greencard Golf Tour and always a favourite amongst our clients.

10 Opens, 9 Winners at Royal Birkdale.

As one of the most demanding courses on The Open rota it has played host to victories by Peter Thomson (twice), Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson, Ian Baker-Finch, Mark O’Meara and Padraig Harrington

Possibly the most dramatic victory at Birkdale was earned in 2017 by Jordan Spieth when after 20 minutes he eventually played a 3 iron from the practice ground on his way to 3 birdies and an eagle in the last 5 holes to win by 3 shots form Matt Kuchar.

Amateur Golfers Guide: How to play Royal Birkdale

So how do us mere mortals tackle such a beast? We asked our resident PGA Professional Paul McLean to help us out with some insider pro tips – so here is our guide on how to play Royal Birkdale including some of the key holes around the famous links.

If you are either joining us on one of our Greencard events, or simply have a round booked independently on this iconic Open Championship links these tips will help you make the most of your day, and enjoy your golf on what has to be a bucket list course for any amateur golfer.

1^st Hole – Par4/Par 5, 430 /408 yards, S.I. 11/8

Possibly one of the toughest opening shots on any course for men and ladies, with many of the professionals taking an iron for safety. It is a par 4 for men, a pa5 5 for ladies. As always, the centre of the fairway is ideal, but the left side is favourable as the ball often kicks to the right however, avoiding the bunker on the left is a must.

A good tee shot makes for a possible green in regulation with an approach shot that should kick forward on to the green providing you miss the bunkers left and right. The green tends to make the ball run away to the back of the green so take your two putts, two points and run!

7^th Hole – Par 3, 140/114 yards, S.I. 17/18

The shortest hole on the course but don’t let that fool you. No fewer than 7, yes 7, pot bunkers and prevailing wind into and off the left will protect this undulating green. Take plenty of club to get you to the middle or even back of the green, there is no future in being short and buckle up for some tough putting.

Again, walk away with 2 points and you are in great shape.

13^th Hole – Par 4/5, 422 yards, S.I. 4

We couldn’t write this without including the now famous 13^th hole. Not the toughest hole on the course with a prevailing wind behind, usually making the hole play shorter. Unless of course you follow Jordan Spieth’s line off the tee at the 2017 Open when he drove his ball into the mounds on the right which resulted in a drop onto the practice ground and second shot of some 240 yards.

We suggest a more conservative tee shot favouring the left side. This will an approach shot to a generous green. The green runs away at the back so make sure of the right club selection to give you a chance of picking up a 3 point hole.

18^th Hole – Par 5, 465/441 yards, S.I. 10/9

Playing as a par 5 from the yellow tees for men and red tees for ladies, the 18^th is one of the best closing hoes on The Open rota. Out of bounds right and a well bunkered green protect this hole but as a par 5 it is definitely a good chance to record a high scoring finish.

Without question the highlight is putting out in front of the iconic Art-Deco clubhouse to complete a memorable experience at true links championship course.

The Expert.

Don’t just take our word about the course, watch Royal Birkdale’s Head Professional Brian Hodgkinson’s video for his expert views on how to play Royal Birkdale and more tips on how to approach and enjoy your round on one of the best courses in the UK.

Bucket list golf with Greencard

For more information on events played at some of the best golf courses in the UK & Ireland please visit our Tournament page or contact us at enquiries@greencardgolf.com or call us on  +44 (0)208 191 7798.