Royal St. George's Golf Club photo gallery

7 Things to See at Royal St. George's Golf Club

Explore the Channel Coast's Open Championship Venue

After an unexpected year-long delay, The Open Championship returned to Royal St. George’s Golf Club and the Channel Coast of England in 2021. The first club outside of Scotland to join The Open Championship venues, the event marked the 15th time that Royal St. George’s awarded the Claret Jug to the Champion Golfer of the Year. For many, Collin Morikawa's impressive win served as an introduction to Royal St. George’s. For others, the coverage brought with it a desire to see Royal St. George's first-hand.

 

If you were inspired by the scenes to plan a golf trip to England' Channel Coast, here are 7 things to see during your visit to Royal St. George’s Golf Club.

The Clubhouse

Like most members of The Open rota, the clubhouse at Royal St. George’s is a small scale museum featuring the history of this great club. It’s also a traditional affair, with a jacket and tie required for gentlemen after 11am. After your morning tee time, be sure to allow a few extra minutes to peruse the memorabilia inside. And by all means, don’t skip lunch in the dining room. But more on that later.

Royal St Georges Clubhouse

Credit: Royal St. George's Golf Club

The Himalaya Bunker

The par-4 4th hole is likely to get plenty of airtime during The Open at Royal St. George’s. That’s because arguably the largest, deepest bunker in all of Britain is found here. Clearing the pit will likely be of no concern to most competitors, but for those visiting Royal St. George’s during a golf trip to England, the Himalaya bunker is a formidable sight. Clear it, and breathe a sigh of relief. Find it, and you may want to hide your scorecard.

Royal St. George's 4th Hole

Credit: Royal St. George's Golf Club

The Maiden

The 6th hole at Royal St. George’s - known as Maiden - is one of the most famous par-3s in all of golf. But the version of The Maiden seen in this year’s Open Championship is very different from the one that earned such acclaim. The hole is named after a tall sand dune which once stood between the green and tee, making the tee shot an entirely blind one. If you’re picturing the famous Dell hole at Lahinch Golf Club, you’re not too far off. Eventually, critics of blind par-3s won the day, the tee box was relocated, and a far less intriguing version of The Maiden was born.

Royal St. George's The Open Championship

Credit: Royal St. George's Golf Club

The Suez Canal

The par-5 14th hole at Royal St. George’s was named Suez Canal by acclaimed author Bernard Darwin in honor of the burn which used to swallow drives with regularity. The bigger complication here, as Dustin Johnson will surely attest, is the Out of Bounds which runs hard up the right side of the hole. In 2011, the current Masters champion came to the 14th hole two-shots behind Darren Clarke. His run at the Claret Jug came to an end with a pushed 2-iron approach which wound up on the wrong side of the white stakes.

Royal St. George's Golf Tours

Credit: Royal St. George's Golf Club

The Lunch

Joining the likes of Muirfield, Sunningdale, and Prestwick, lunch in the Dining Room at Royal St. George’s is an attraction unto itself. Seemingly every kind of roasted meat imaginable is on display. The beverages are equally abundant. So is the stimulating conversation and warm hospitality. If you’re making another loop around the links after lunch, you may emerge from the clubhouse questioning the wisdom of this decision. Rest assured, no one will criticize if you opt for a nice nap instead.

Royal St. George's Tee Times

After lunch, there's an 8th thing to see... The Pro Shop.

The Neighbors

The golf riches of the Channel Coast of England stretch far beyond Royal St. George’s. Immediately to the north, Prince’s Golf Club hosted the 1932 Open Championship, where Gene Sarazen introduced the world to the sand wedge en route to victory. To the south, Royal Cinque Ports hosted The Open in 1909 and 1920, and would have welcomed many more were it not for some untimely flooding. When deciding where to play on a golf trip to the Channel Coast of England, this duo should not be overlooked.

England Golf Trips Princes Golf Club

Credit: Prince's Golf Club

The White Cliffs

During the telecast of The Open Championship, golf fans were continuously served spectacular b-roll footage from the famous White Cliffs of Dover. The cliffs, Dover Castle, and the World War II tunnels are all just a short drive from Royal St. George’s and should not be missed during your time on the Channel Coast. Of course, the best way to view the White Cliffs is not necessarily from on top of them, but from the deck of a private boat tour for your group.

Cliffs of Dover Golf Trip Sightseeing

 

The 2021 Open Championship inspired many golf travelers to scratch the Channel Coast of England off their list. If you find yourself among them, follow the link below.

Ready to Experience Royal St. George's and the Channel Coast of England?

England Golf Travel E-Book Download

Download Your Ultimate Guide to The English Links

The Complete Guide to

England Golf Travel

What's covered in this free 30+ page guide:

  • The best regions for golf in England.
  • Tips for making the most of your trip.
  • Where to enjoy the Good Life between rounds.
  • Lesser known courses you should play.

Plus links to nearly 50 additional guides and resources.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By downloading up you agree to receive marketing communications from Haversham & Baker and have read our privacy policy.

Discover More of Golf at its Finest with H&B