When golf fans talk about the greatest stretches of links golf in the world, England’s Golf Coast consistently tops the list and nowhere embodies that reputation quite like Royal Birkdale Golf Course. As The Open Championship returns this year, the spotlight once again falls on Birkdale and the surrounding Merseyside coastline, welcoming the very best players in the game to one of golf’s most revered settings.
With global stars such as Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler and many more arriving on the shores of Merseyside, the region will once again prove why it is considered one of the true homes of championship golf.
Royal Birkdale: A True Championship Test
Royal Birkdale needs little introduction. Regularly ranked among the top courses in the world, it has hosted The Open more times than almost any other venue. Its towering dunes, demanding fairways and famously unforgiving rough provide a pure links test that rewards creativity, patience and nerve.
During Open week, the atmosphere around Birkdale is electric but what truly sets the area apart is what lies beyond the ropes. Few locations anywhere in the world offer such a dense concentration of elite golf courses, all within minutes of one another.
A Cluster of World-Class Courses on Your Doorstep
Staying in Birkdale places golfers at the centre of an unrivalled golfing landscape. Within a short drive — and in some cases walking distance — are courses that regularly feature in global top-100 rankings, including Hillside Golf Club, Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club, Formby Golf Club and West Lancashire Golf Club.
Each course offers its own character and challenge, from dramatic dune landscapes to classic out-and-back links routing. For visiting golfers, it’s possible to experience multiple championship venues in a single trip — something very few golf destinations worldwide can offer.
The Perfect Base for The Open
With Royal Birkdale hosting The Open this year, demand for accommodation close to the course is intense. Staying locally transforms the experience. Being on the doorstep allows guests to arrive early for morning tee times, step away during peak crowds, and return later to enjoy the closing holes. All without relying on transport or rigid schedules.
It also allows visitors to balance championship golf with their own rounds, fitting in play at nearby courses either side of Open days. For many, this blend of spectating and playing is what makes a golf trip to Birkdale truly special.
More Than Just Golf
What elevates the region further is everything surrounding the courses. Birkdale and nearby villages offer excellent dining, relaxed pubs, independent cafes and coastal walks, making it ideal for golfers travelling with partners, friends or family. While the golf is world-class, the setting remains welcoming, walkable and refreshingly unspoilt.
A Destination Golf Fans Return to Time and Again
When the world’s best players arrive for The Open, Birkdale reminds everyone why it holds such a special place in the game. But long after the final putt drops, the area continues to attract golfers from across the UK and beyond — drawn by its concentration of legendary courses, authentic links golf and unbeatable atmosphere.
Whether you’re visiting to watch history unfold at Royal Birkdale or to play the same fairways as the game’s greats, this corner of Merseyside delivers a golf experience that few places on earth can rival.