I'm not a golfer. Let me say that upfront. But I live five minutes from Royal Birkdale, I've watched The Open from the hillside before, and I know this corner of Southport better than most. This is the guide for people who want to go to The Open and do it properly — whether you're a dedicated golf fan or someone who's been dragged along by one.
About Royal Birkdale
Royal Birkdale Golf Club is consistently rated as one of the finest links courses in the world. It's hosted The Open 10 times before 2026, with previous champions including Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, and Tiger Woods. The course is famous for its dramatic dunes, unpredictable wind, and fairways that run between the dunes rather than over them.
The course is private — you can't just rock up and play. But during Open week, it becomes accessible in a way it never normally is. The spectator village, the grandstands, the atmosphere. It's worth experiencing even if you're neutral on golf.
Getting tickets
Tickets for The Open 2026 are sold through The R&A at theopen.com. Practice round tickets (Monday–Wednesday) are cheaper and often more available than championship round tickets. If you can only get practice round tickets, still go — you'll see the course, the players up close, and the atmosphere without the full-price crowds.
Getting there during Open week
Don't drive to the course. I cannot stress this enough. The park and ride shuttles from various points around Southport are the way to go. They're efficient, they drop you close, and you avoid the traffic that will make driving a misery.
- →Park and ride shuttles from multiple locations — buy passes in advance
- →Train to Birkdale station (Merseyrail) is a 15-minute walk from the course
- →Southport town centre is a manageable 25-minute walk or short bus/taxi
What to bring
- →Waterproofs — it's July on the Lancashire coast
- →Comfortable shoes — the course is large and you'll walk miles
- →Cash — some hospitality areas are cash-only
- →Binoculars — the grandstands are good but binoculars help
Where to eat and drink near the course
There's a substantial hospitality village on site during Open week. Outside the course, Birkdale village is your best bet for food and drink. The Bold Hotel does Open week packages. Book everything well in advance — this is not a normal week in Southport.
⛳The Open at Royal Birkdale is, in my experience, one of those events that's better than you expect even if you're not a golf fan. The atmosphere, the proximity to world-class sport, the Southport setting. It's a special week.
Still need somewhere to stay? We've ranked hotels by walking distance to the course.
See the Open 2026 accommodation guide →Sorted your transport to Royal Birkdale? Here's the full guide on getting there without a car.
Getting to Royal Birkdale →Terry
Chief Editor, SouthportGuide.co.uk — Lives in Churchtown with his wife,
four kids, and Frank the bulldog.
