After an unexpected year-long delay, The Open Championship returned to Royal St. George’s 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 and the Channel Coast, here are 7 things to see during your visit to Royal St. George’s.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The 2021 Open Championship has inspired many golf travelers to scratch the Channel Coast of England off their list in 2022 and beyond. If you find yourself among them…
Let’s Talk.
Our free guide includes over 30 pages of valuable insight, plus links to nearly 50 additional resources, on Golf and the Good Life in England.
For more insight on planning your golf trip to England, visit the pages below, read our England golf trip reviews, or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.
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