Royal St George's Golf Club
Sandwich, England, United Kingdom
18 Holes · Par 70 · GBP 250–350 · Links
— About
About Royal St George's Golf Club
Royal St George's Golf Club at Sandwich in Kent is the only English links to have hosted The Open Championship, and it does so with a degree of wildness and unpredictability that distinguishes it from every other Open venue. Founded in 1887 by Dr Laidlaw Purves, who surveyed the Sandwich Bay dunes by telescope from a church tower in search of a Scottish-style links near London, the course has hosted The Open fifteen times — more than any other English venue. The course plays through enormous natural dunes on the Kent coast, with the English Channel providing the backdrop and Pegwell Bay to the north. The fairways heave and roll dramatically, the rough in championship condition is fearsome, and the undulating greens punish anything but precision approach play. The famous par-4 4th features a bunker in the centre of the fairway — the Maiden — that has caught the drives of champions for over a century. Royal St George's is a private club with visitor access on weekdays. The 2021 Open Championship, won by Collin Morikawa, reintroduced the course to a new generation of golf fans. The town of Sandwich is one of the ancient Cinque Ports, and the combination of historic English town, Channel coast, and wild links terrain creates an atmosphere unlike any other stop on the Open rota.
- The only English links to host The Open Championship — fifteen times in total
- Founded 1887 after Dr Laidlaw Purves surveyed the Sandwich Bay dunes by telescope from a church tower
- The Maiden — a bunker in the centre of the 4th fairway that has caught champions for over a century
- Wild undulating fairways through enormous Kent dunes with the English Channel as the backdrop
- 2021 Open Championship host — won by Collin Morikawa, bringing the course to global attention again
History
Dr Laidlaw Purves founded Royal St George's in 1887 after searching for genuine links terrain within reach of London. The Sandwich Bay dunes were his answer, and the club received its royal warrant shortly after opening. The first Open at Sandwich was held in 1894, won by J.H. Taylor. The course hosted the first Open won by an American — Walter Hagen in 1922 — and has been the venue for legendary battles ever since. The combination of fierce rough, unpredictable bounces, and Channel weather makes it one of the most demanding tests on the Open circuit.
Signature Holes
The par-4 4th is the most discussed hole: 470 yards with the Maiden bunker positioned centre-fairway, demanding a carry or deliberate layup leaving a long approach. The par-3 6th (155 yards) plays to a green with a famous hollow that funnels balls away from the flag. The par-4 14th (508 yards into the prevailing wind) crosses the Suez Canal drainage channel and represents the most demanding mid-round test.
Best Time to Visit
May through September for the most reliable Channel coast conditions. Visitors are admitted on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays — confirm current visitor days with the club before travelling. Open Championship years see visitor access heavily restricted in the months surrounding the event.
Playing Tips
Advance booking is essential, particularly April through September. Sandwich is approximately 75 minutes by train from London St Pancras to Sandwich station, then 10 minutes on foot. Caddies are available on request. The town of Sandwich offers limited accommodation; Ramsgate and Canterbury are nearby for more options.
— Current Weather at Royal St George's Golf Club
Approximate conditions · Updated every 30 min · Open-Meteo
Visit Royal St George's Golf Club
Sandwich, England, United Kingdom
— Facilities
Practical Information
— FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Royal St George's Golf Club
How many times has Royal St George's hosted The Open Championship?
Fifteen times, making it the most frequent English Open venue. The most recent was in 2021, won by Collin Morikawa.
Can visitors play Royal St George's?
Yes, on designated visitor days (typically Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday). Contact the club directly to book; advance reservation is strongly recommended during peak season.
What makes Royal St George's different from other Open venues?
It is wilder and more unpredictable than most links on the rota. The fairways roll dramatically, the rough is severe in championship trim, and the dunes create blind or semi-blind shots. It rewards local knowledge more than most Open venues.
How far is Royal St George's from London?
Approximately 75 minutes by train from London St Pancras to Sandwich station, then 10 minutes on foot. By car it is about 80 miles from central London, roughly 90 minutes depending on traffic.
What is the Maiden bunker at the 4th hole?
A large cross-bunker positioned in the centre of the 4th fairway approximately 270 yards from the back tee. It has been catching wayward drives since 1887 and is one of the most famous hazards in championship golf.
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