Is This The Best Open Championship Venue

By: Kieran Clark | Fri 14 Jul 2023

Article Updated in July 2024

Spanning 164 years and 152 championships, The Open has been defined by its iconic venues, each of which have their own unique identity and have etched their place in the history of this game.

These links courses present a timeless challenge to the world's best golfers who are in pursuit of the Claret Jug, but perhaps the most enduring appeal is that anyone can test themselves against these famous layouts. Yes, they are often expensive to access, but everyone has the opportunity to play an Open course in their lifetime. It's a must do thing.

So, where should you look to experience first? Most golfers will have a favourite they have played, one that means the most to them, but for a degree of consensus, we have studied the many reviews submitted into the Golfshake Course Section.

When you enter a review on Golfshake, you rate a venue on several qualities, not just the golf course itself. These categories are The Course, Course Conditions, Value For Money, Pace of Play, Facilities & Service, Hospitality, Practice Facilities and Food & Drink.

Averaging those scores, we have been able to assign a rating to each of The Open venues based on the opinions of everyday golfers. These rankings do not reflect our personal views at Golfshake, but are a reflection of the data and what our users and Community have reported themselves.

You can see below the findings we have put together - including fabulous images captured by Kevin Diss Photography - placing Ayrshire and England's North West above the rest!

Royal Troon Golf Club

Opens Hosted: 1923, 1950, 1962, 1973, 1982, 1989, 1997, 2004, 2016, 2024

Average Golfshake Rating: 4.9 (28 Reviews)

Review Comment: "I was really impressed with the quality of the course and the facilities. The practice facilities were amazing and the course was really enjoyable. I loved the history and the location."

Royal Liverpool Golf Club

Opens Hosted: 1897, 1902, 1907, 1913, 1924, 1930, 1936, 1947, 1956, 1967, 2006, 2014, 2023

Average Golfshake Rating: 4.8 (55 Reviews)

Review Comment: "If you want to play an Open course this must be one of the best. Although we had rain and wind, the course played fairly and the condition it was in was amazing. A very warm welcome from everyone at the club too. If you get the chance play it."

Royal Birkdale Golf Club

Opens Hosted: 1954, 1961, 1965, 1971, 1976, 1983, 1991, 1998, 2008, 2017, 2026

Average Golfshake Rating: 4.8 (49 Reviews)

Review Comment: "Stunning. To walk these fairways and play these greens that the greatest golfers the world has ever seen have is a privilege nobody should take for granted. What an experience."

Prestwick Golf Club

Opens Hosted: 1860, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870, 1872, 1875, 1878, 1881, 1884, 1887, 1890, 1893, 1898, 1903, 1908, 1914, 1925

Average Golfshake Rating: 4.8 (24 Reviews)

Review Comment: "A really well kept course and a good challenge with plenty of interesting holes. Greens are in excellent condition. The food in the restaurant was really good too."

Turnberry

Opens Hosted: 1977, 1986, 1994, 2009

Average Golfshake Rating: 4.7 (149 Reviews)

Review Comment: "The course itself was in immaculate condition with exceptional greens extremely well-kept. It was challenging but also very pleasant to the eye with spectacular with beautiful views all around. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. I'd have to say this is the best golf course in the world."

Royal St George's Golf Club

Opens Hosted: 1894, 1899, 1904, 1911, 1922, 1928, 1934, 1938, 1949, 1981, 1985, 1993, 2003, 2011, 2021

Average Golfshake Rating: 4.7 (67 Reviews)

Review Comment: "I absolutely loved the history and immaculate condition of this course. It lived up to all my expectations of an Open venue. The greens were exceptional, and everything was well-tended. I definitely need to play here a few more times to really appreciate it!"

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club

Opens Hosted: 1926, 1952, 1958, 1963, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1988, 1996, 2001, 2012

Average Golfshake Rating: 4.7 (50 Reviews)

Review Comment: "The layout was excellent and the condition of the course was perfect. The quality of the design and the history of the course was evident and the overall Open vibe was great."

St Andrews Links

Opens Hosted: 1873, 1876, 1879, 1882, 1885, 1888, 1891, 1895, 1900, 1905, 1910, 1921, 1927, 1933, 1939, 1946, 1955, 1957, 1960, 1964, 1970, 1978, 1984, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2022

Average Golfshake Rating: 4.6 (376 Reviews)

Review Comment: "To sum up, if you can, simply, just go and play it! The history, the town, the views, The Open, the course - this is the Home of Golf and simply a wonderful place to visit and a course simply out of this world that every golfer should experience at least once in their lifetime."

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club

Opens Hosted: 1909, 1920

Average Golfshake Rating: 4.6 (66 Reviews)

Review Comment: "Superb traditional out and in links. Fantastic staff, welcoming environment in the clubhouse, course in immaculate condition and extensive practice facilities. Their new putting green must be one of the largest in the country and is excellent."

Royal Portrush Golf Club

Opens Hosted: 1951, 2019, 2025

Average Golfshake Rating: 4.6 (46 Reviews)

Review Comment: "The views were stunning and the course was in excellent condition when I played in late October. The greens were fabulous and playing on the course had a real Open Championship feel to it. The starter was an entertaining guy and the clubhouse had a real sense of history. The view as you walk onto the 5th green is breathtaking. It was fairly tough and expensive to play the course, but it was worth it to play one of the top ten golf courses in the world."

Carnoustie Golf Links

Opens Hosted: 1931, 1937, 1953, 1968, 1975, 1999, 2007, 2018

Average Golfshake Rating: 4.5 (149 Reviews)

Review Comment: "I visited Carnoustie in 2022 and I was thoroughly impressed with the overall presentation, quality of greens, and the challenging layout. Every hole presented a different challenge, requiring the use of every club in the bag. The course was in fantastic condition and was a great upgrade from my normal course. I definitely recommend this course to any golfer looking for a great experience on a course with so much history!"

Prince's Golf Club

Opens Hosted: 1932

Average Golfshake Rating: 4.4 (198 Reviews)

Review Comment: "Excellent facilities with all three courses in top order, staff helpful and friendly. The Lodges are comfortable and well appointed for all your needs. Comfy, spacious bar and restaurant at the Lodges and if you're lucky with the weather, good space outside to relax after your round. The courses are all challenging in their own way but the Himalayas in a stiff breeze is particularly challenging for length and accuracy. All of the greens were in excellent order and it will take a bit of adjustment if you are used to slowish greens."

Muirfield

Opens Hosted: 1892, 1896, 1901, 1906, 1912, 1929, 1935, 1948, 1959, 1966, 1972, 1980, 1987, 1992, 2002, 2013

Average Golfshake Rating: 4.3 (21 Reviews)

Review Comment: "I played in November 2022, on a cold but crisp day with a gentle breeze - shoulder season prices are definitely value for money. The overall experience was excellent. The course requires you to hit good golf shots at every turn - the design is a great test of golf for your average golfers. Interesting, it's hard to pick one standout hole, as the quality is spread across the course. Off course, the clubhouse is full of interesting memorabilia, and the lunch worth the effort of a jacket and tie with views to die for out across the links."

Musselburgh Links

Opens Hosted: 1874, 1877, 1880, 1883, 1886, 1889

Average Golfshake Rating: 3.5 (23 Reviews)

Review Comment: "Nice well kept course. Very friendly staff and members. The course isn't very long but some of the fairways are quite narrow which means accuracy is important. Not the prettiest of courses but well worth a round and excellent value for money."