The Open Venues

We show you all the golf courses where The Open is played.

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The Open Venues History

The Open is a renowned and prestigious tournament in golf, boasting over 150 years of rich history and tradition. As an international event, it is considered the only major competition not held in the US, adding to its reputation and grandeur.

The courses that have hosted this celebrated tournament over the years have been distinguished and challenging. The R&A guarantees that every aspect of the event is handled with utmost sincerity and sportsmanship. The unpredictable weather and difficult courses make it an intense and thrilling experience for players and viewers alike.

The iconic Claret Jug trophy awarded to the winner symbolizes the gravity of this highly regarded championship. The Open Championship is a remarkable event for golf enthusiasts, offering an unforgettable experience.

The Open venues list

Prestwick Golf Club, South Ayrshire, Scotland (inaugural venue)
The Old Course at St Andrews, Fife, Scotland
Musselburgh Links, East Lothian, Scotland
Royal St George’s Golf Club, Sandwich, England
Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake, England
Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, Deal, England
Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, England
Royal Troon Golf Club, South Ayrshire, Scotland
Carnoustie Golf Links, Angus, Scotland
Muirfield, East Lothian, Scotland
Turnberry (Ailsa Course), South Ayrshire, Scotland
Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport, England
Prince’s Golf Club, Sandwich, England
Royal Portrush Golf Club, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

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PRESTWICK GOLF COURSE

Prestwick Golf Club is a celebrated and historic golf course situated in the picturesque Ayrshire of Scotland. Its rich heritage dates back to 1851, rendering it among the oldest and distinguished golf courses across the globe. The golf course is highly regarded for hosting the first Open Championship in 1860 and being one of the pioneer founders of the tournament.

Despite its relatively short distance, the course’s undulating terrain, blind shots, and intricate bunkers present a challenging yet exhilarating experience for golf enthusiasts. Throughout its illustrious history, Prestwick has enjoyed the company of renowned golfers such as Old Tom Morris, Harry Vardon, and Bobby Jones. The differentiated and captivating red and white clubhouse, constructed in 1854, is a protected building and a hallmark feature of the golf club. Today, Prestwick offers access to the public and serves as a popular destination for golfers worldwide.

» Glasgow golf packages

OLD COURSE
ST. ANDREWS LINKS

CURRENT THE OPEN venue

The Old Course St Andrews is one of the oldest and most famous golf courses in the world, with over 600 years of history. With deep bunkers and narrow fairways, it is a challenge for even the most experienced golfers. Located near the historic town of St Andrews and the Scottish coast, the Old Course is an iconic course that every golfer should play at least once in their lifetime.

» St. Andrews & Fife golf packages

MUSSELBURGH LINKS

Musselburgh Links in East Lothian, Scotland, is one of the oldest golf courses, with records dating back to 1672. With only nine holes, it hosted six Open Championships between 1874 and 1889. This coastal links course is famous for its rich history and challenging layout that includes strategic bunkers and small greens. Although no longer in the Open rotation, it remains a popular destination for golfers.

» Edinburgh golf packages

ROYAL ST. GEORGE'S
GOLF CLUB

CURRENT THE OPEN venue

Royal St. George’s, in Sandwich, England, is one of the most prestigious and challenging golf courses in the United Kingdom. Known for its undulating topography and sand dunes, it can result in unpredictable bounces. It is the first golf course in England to host The Open Championship. Royal St. George’s is famous for its challenging design and natural beauty, making it a favorite among golfers and spectators.

» Kent golf packages

ROYAL LIVERPOOL
GOLF CLUB

CURRENT THE OPEN venue

Royal Liverpool, also known as “Hoylake”, located in England, is a historic and challenging golf course. Although it may appear flat at first glance, the strong coastal winds can transform it into a true test of golfing skills. It was the second English course to host The Open Championship. Hoylake is famous for its strategic design and is a real challenge for even the most experienced golfers.

» Liverpool golf packages

ROYAL CINQUE PORTS
GOLF CLUB

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, located in Deal, England, is a traditional coastal links course known for its beauty and challenge. It has hosted The Open Championship twice, although frequent flooding has prevented further tournaments. Its undulating fairways, fast greens and severe coastal wind conditions make Royal Cinque Ports a real challenge for golfers, who must combine skill and strategy to succeed.

» Kent golf packages

Organizing your trip to The Open venues

ROYAL LYTHAM
& ST. ANNES

CURRENT THE OPEN venue

Royal Lytham & St Annes, located in Lancashire, England, is a historic links golf course renowned for its distinctive and challenging design. Its first unique feature is that it starts with a par 3. The Golf Course is known for its large number of bunkers, more than 200, which requires precision and strategy. Although it is some distance from the coast, it still offers the typical challenges of a links course.

» Liverpool golf packages

ROYAL TROON
GOLF CLUB

CURRENT THE OPEN venue

Royal Troon Golf Club is a historic golf course on the west coast of Scotland. It offers an exciting challenge for all levels with its classic link course design, impressive rough and deep bunkers. With spectacular views of the Irish Sea, Royal Troon is one of Scotland’s must-visit golf destinations.

» Glasgow golf packages

CARNOUSTIE GOLF LINKS
CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE

CURRENT THE OPEN venue

Carnoustie Golf Links Championship Course is one of the most challenging golf courses in the world, challenging even the most experienced golfers. Despite its difficulty, it offers a unique golfing experience in a beautiful coastal setting in Scotland. If you are looking for an exciting challenge, you should definitely visit this course.

» Dundee & Angus golf packages

MUIRFIELD
GOLF CLUB

CURRENT THE OPEN venue

Muirfield Golf Club is an iconic golf course located on the east coast of Scotland. The course has a classic links-style layout, an exciting challenge for golfers of all levels. With strategically placed bunkers and dense roughs, it demands precision and strategy on every shot. Its rich history makes Muirfield Golf Club a must-play.

» Edinburgh golf packages

TURNBERRY AILSA COURSE

The Turnberry Ailsa Course is a renowned golf course on Scotland’s Ayrshire coastline. Known for its challenging holes, beautiful views, and rich history, it has hosted four Open Championships. Recently redesigned, it remains a top course for golfers of all abilities and offers excellent facilities at the Turnberry Hotel.

» Glasgow golf packages

PRINCE'S GOLF CLUB

Prince’s Golf Club, located in Sandwich, England, is a lovely and challenging links golf course. It hosted The Open Championship in 1932, but damage during World War II led to extensive remodeling. The current course is divided into three nine-hole loops: The Shore, The Dunes, and The Himalayas, each with its own unique challenges. The proximity to the sea provides changing conditions that test golfers.

» Kent golf packages

ROYAL BIRKDALE
GOLF CLUB

CURRENT THE OPEN venue

Royal Birkdale, located in Southport, England, is one of the most celebrated golf courses in the United Kingdom. Known for its undulating fairways and high sand dunes, the course offers a challenging but fair game. It has hosted numerous Open championships and is acclaimed for its superior design and impeccable maintenance. Its coastal position can make wind a significant factor, increasing the difficulty and strategy of the game.

» Liverpool golf packages

ROYAL PORTRUSH GOLF CLUB

CURRENT THE OPEN venue

Royal Portrush, located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, is a historic and challenging links golf course. With panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, it is the only course outside of Scotland and England to have hosted The Open Championship. The course is known for its undulating fairways, fast greens and unpredictable coastal winds, creating a challenging and exciting game. Its two most famous holes, Calamity Corner and Purgatory, are especially remembered for their difficulty.

» Nothern Ireland golf packages

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