Today's Golfer Expert Review

It’s not every day you get to play a course that’s hosted the Open Championship and Royal Birkdale is one of the finest of the nine Links on the rota.

As you would expect from a Major venue, it’s a tough examination of every part of your game: the rough is usually thick and high, making finding your ball, let alone advancing it down the fairway, tough if you’re wayward off the tee.

Also, the tight fairways require accurate ball striking and the greens are fast and true, meaning good putters can make hay while the sun shines.

Standout hole is the 509-yard par-5 17th. It’s great to be able to play the same holes as the pros and you can follow in the footsteps of Padraig Harrington if you get on in two like the Irishman famously did in 2008. A booming drive from the yellow tees and a long iron make an eagle putt a real possibility… if it’s not playing into the wind.

The striking white art deco clubhouse overlooks this mighty linksland and every room is adorned with historical mementos and pictures, the friendly service making it a great place to reflect on a round to remember.