The seaside destination of Southport plays host to some of England's finest links courses and the best of them all is Royal Birkdale Golf Club. You do not have to travel far to find someone who convincingly argue that Royal Birkdale - the Open was last held here in 2008 - is the finest of all the Open Championship courses. The course first hosted the Open in 1954 and since then has hosted the venerable old Championship nine times including the 1971 100th staging of the event. Brkdale has also been a venue for the Walker Cup, two Ryder Cups and much more besides: Little question of whether or not the much treasured Royal title, bestowed in 1951, is deserved. As anyone watching the 2008 Open will be aware Royal Birkdale is a stunning example of links golf at its very best - and it shares that old links trait of being a very different course depending on the weather. Like all Open venues Birkdale has an aura that the visitor will sense as soon as they set foot on the tee. A stunning course with a stunning history.

Royal Birkdale is one of the best links courses in England. The first 13 holes through the dunes are fantastic and the par-3s at 7, 12 and 14 in particular are excellent. The course is long but these holes are also quite narrow and you have to place your tee shots carefully to avoid the bunkers and give yourself the best line into the greens. The last 5 holes open out a little and can be a tough test into the wind. The 17th green has come in for a lot of criticism and it is easy to see why as it is much smaller than the others and the slopes on and around it can make it a bit of a lottey. However it's a small black mark on what is otherwise a fantastic course and the view up the last to Royal Birkdale's famous 1930s clubhouse is worth every penny.