13/07/2026
The Open is this week at Royal Birkdale. We are getting excited!
The world’s best golfers begin their quest for the Claret Jug at Birkdale – absolutely regarded as one of the world’s finest links.
Our team at SGT (Southport Golf Tours) is excited to have the Open in our back yard. We absolutely love to help international groups of golfers to come and play Birkdale, the 2 other Open courses (Royal Lytham and Royal Liverpool), and 10 other championship links. We are at Birkdale this week walking and watching the Open, happy to share insider stories and photos with you. Let us know if you have any questions. We literally just created a free guide to this coastline known as England's Golf Coast. Access it here: https://www.southportgolftours.com/guide/
The Weather Forecast, and Course Look Good
It has been hot and dry recently so the course should play firm and fast. There is always the chance of a shower, but the winds look like they will be 10-12mph light.
To us, Royal Birkdale is a course that appeals to golfers who want to experience links golf at its challenging best. The course is framed by towering dunes, with fairways that run naturally through the landscape and holes that demand strategy, patience and precise shot-making. Some of us played Birkdale a couple of weeks ago and it really is in great shape. There has been enough rain in the Spring to green up the fairways and thicken the rough, so let’s get ready to enjoy a fabulous week.
While millions of us will be watching on television, many golfers don't realize that Royal Birkdale is just one of three Open Championship venues located within an hour of each other on England's Golf Coast. Alongside Royal Liverpool and Royal Lytham & St Annes are another ten outstanding links courses including Hillside, Formby, Southport & Ainsdale and West Lancashire. It’s one of the most compact and greatest golf destinations in the world, yet remains one of Britain’s best-kept secrets. Check out the map.
Thanks for your time today. Happy to answer any/all questions. If you have played there let us know your favorite 3 courses. We suspect Hillside will make your list!
All sorts of related info at www.southportgolftours.com
