Royal Birkdale sits on the dunes of England's north-west coast in Southport, Merseyside — about an hour north of Liverpool — and it's hosting The Open Championship in 2026. Every time the Open comes here, the same three questions spike: where exactly is it, can a normal golfer play it, and what would it cost to actually join? Here are the numbers.
Where Is Royal Birkdale Golf Club?
The club is in Birkdale, Southport, Merseyside (PR8 2LX), on the stretch of coastline known as England's Golf Coast — a run of famous links courses along the Irish Sea. It's roughly an hour's drive north of Liverpool and reachable by train from Liverpool and Manchester, which is why Open week floods Southport with visitors.
How Much Does It Cost to Play Royal Birkdale?
Unlike some championship clubs, Birkdale does let visitors on — on set days, at premium prices:
| Option | Cost (per person) |
|---|---|
| Green fee, April | ~£450 |
| Green fee, May–October | ~£495 |
| "Birkdale Experience" package | ~£565 |
- Visitor days: generally Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
- Closed to visitors: January, February, March, November and December.
- Book far ahead — Open years fill fastest, and tee times are limited.
How Much Is Royal Birkdale Membership?
Reported figures put the initiation fee at around £6,600 (roughly $9,000), with annual dues near £2,200 (about $3,000). By the standards of elite championship clubs, that is not the eye-watering part.
The eye-watering part is the process: prospective members play multiple rounds with existing members, who assess not just whether you can play, but whether you'd be a good clubmate. It's a social audition as much as a financial one — which is why writing the cheque is the easy step.
Why the Open Keeps Coming Back
Founded in 1889, Royal Birkdale is one of the most respected tests in championship golf: par 70, about 7,156 yards, threaded through towering dunes. What makes it brutal isn't length — it's the combination of rugged dune corridors, deep revetted bunkers and coastal wind that can flip direction between nines. Fairways sit in valleys between dunes, so a good drive is rewarded and a slightly bad one is buried.
It has staged ten Opens before 2026, and players consistently rate it among the fairest of the rota — punishing, but rarely random.
Watching the 2026 Open
For tee times, TV schedule and the favourites this week, see our Open 2026 complete guide. For two of the week's bigger storylines, read about Rory McIlroy's Prime Video documentary and Henrik Stenson's return.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where is Royal Birkdale Golf Club?
In Southport, Merseyside (PR8 2LX), on England's north-west coast, about an hour north of Liverpool.
How much does it cost to play Royal Birkdale?
About £450 per person in April and £495 from May to October, with a £565 package option. Visitors typically play Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
How much is Royal Birkdale membership?
Reportedly around £6,600 to join plus about £2,200 a year — and candidates must play several rounds with members first.
How many times has Royal Birkdale hosted The Open?
Ten times before 2026. The club dates to 1889 and plays as a par 70 of roughly 7,156 yards.
