The Cost of Playing at a British Open Golf Course

The British Open is one of the most prestigious competitions in sport, with its 146th event to be held at the Royal Birkdale course in July this year.

Only 14 courses have had the privilege of hosting this event, many of which are as old, or even older, than the competition itself.

It is possible to play these iconic courses as a visitor, and we have compared the green fees for each venue to find out how much this will set you back.

The most expensive course was the Ailsa course at Trump Turnberry. There were some reports suggesting that this course would no longer be in the rota for the Open, after Donald Trump’s controversial election campaign. However, as he has now resigned as director from the firms that own Turnberry, perhaps its future as a host for the Open will be secure once again. For visitors to the Turnberry course, you can expect to pay £325 during the peak season, or £350 at weekends. This is nearly £100 more expensive than the second and third most expensive – Muirfield and Royal Troon.

The club that will be the 2017 hosts, the Royal Birkdale, are the fourth most expensive to play at, with a weekday ticket in peak season setting you back £205 when purchased online, or £215 at the venue.

Not all clubs are so pricey, however. The 9 hole links course at Musselburgh has hosted the open 6 times, and is just £14.30 to play at during the high season, or £15.30 at weekends.

If you are considering visiting one of the courses, bear in mind that there are different terms and conditions for each one. Most of them have a maximum handicap, which may be different for men and for women, and proof of your handicap must be supplied. Carnoustie has the highest maximum handicap at 28 for men and 36 for women.

Lunch is included in your green fee at Prince’s and Prestwick.

The infographic displays all of our findings from the study. Please feel free to republish on your website.

 

VENUE NUMBER TIMES HOSTED OPEN GREEN FEE 18 HOLES* HI SEASON WEEK DAY GREEN FEE 18 HOLES* HI SEASON WEEKEND GREEN FEE 18 HOLES LO SEASON
Trump Turnberry – Ailsa Course 4 325 350 £200/£250
Muirfield 16 230 N/A 110
Royal Troon – Old Course 9 230 N/A 195
Royal Birkdale – 2017 hosts 9 £205/£215 £235/£245 £155-£200
Royal Lytham & St Annes 11 195 240 £122-£195
Royal Portrush – Dunluce 1 190 190 £60-£190
Royal St George’s Golf Club 14 190 N/A £100-£120
Royal Liverpool Golf Club 12 185 215 £90-£125
Carnoustie – Championship Course 7 175 175 87.5
St Andrews – Old Course 29 175 175 £88-£123
Prestwick Golf Club 24 170 195 95
Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club 2 130 155 £65-£155
Prince’s Golf Club 1 60 95 £50-£75
Musselburgh Links (*9 holes) 6 14.3 15.3

Prices correct as at 17/02/2017.