Situated on the golden links of the North West coast in Southport, Royal Birkdale Golf Club possesses one of the finest of all courses in England. Royal Birkdale's 18-hole layout has held more Championship and international events since World War Two than any other course in the world.  

To play golf at Royal Birkdale is to play through a landscape teeming with wildlife that is frequently endangered, and occasionally entirely unique to the United Kingdom. It is one of the most ecologically sensitive open courses, recognized internationally for its outstanding nature conservation value.  

Designed by George Lowe in 1897, when the club moved to its current location in the Birkdale Hills, the par 70 course was remodeled and upgraded to championship standard by F.G. Hawtree and J.H. Taylor in the 1930s. The 7,156-yard layout is invariably presented in immaculate condition and although recognized for its fairness it is also well known for being a tough track to master. 

Royal Birkdale is always a provocative place to play and can be a torrid experience when the winds pick up, making the carries from tee to fairway particularly challenging. The course's fairways are laid out in flat-bottomed valleys between towering sand dunes and the greens were rebuilt prior to 1998 Open and are extremely difficult to read, despite their youth. 

History and modernity combine to provide a great clubhouse facility to sit back and relax in after a day of golf. The Royal Birkdale offers both members and visitors the opportunity to enjoy a drink or evening meal following a round in the Longhurst Room's bar and bistro overlooking the iconic 18th hole.  

Image(s) published courtesy of Golf Monthly.co.uk, Golf Advisor.com, and Today's Golfer.co.uk