Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club
Royal Lytham & St Annes holds a unique place in championship golf as the only Open Championship venue in England that doesn't begin or end with a hole along the sea. Despite being located just yards from the Lancashire coast, the course is surrounded by suburban housing, yet once inside the boundaries, golfers find themselves on one of the most challenging and strategic links layouts in the world. The club has hosted The Open Championship eleven times, more than any other English venue, producing champions from Bobby Jones to David Duval.
The course was designed by George Lowe in 1886 and has been refined over the decades to create a layout that demands precision, strategy, and mental fortitude. What makes Lytham particularly challenging is its 206 bunkers, many positioned to catch even slightly wayward shots. The course features seven par 3s and only two par 5s, creating an unusual par 71 that places a premium on iron play and accuracy rather than length. The prevailing wind from the Irish Sea adds another layer of complexity, often changing direction and strength throughout a round.
Royal Lytham's championship pedigree is unmatched, having witnessed some of golf's most dramatic moments, including Seve Ballesteros's famous recovery from a car park in 1979 and Tony Jacklin's emotional victory in 1969. The course has been meticulously maintained and updated to remain relevant for modern championship golf while preserving its classic character. For visiting golfers, Lytham offers an authentic links experience with strategic challenges that reward course management and shot-making over pure power.