Why Does Royal Liverpool Change The Order Of Its Holes For The Open?
Royal Liverpool has a different routing during The Open to the other weeks of the golfing year. We explain why...


Thank you for signing up to Golf Monthly. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Royal Liverpool is unique in that it's the only Open course that uses a different configuration of holes to the one used by the members.
If you've played Hoylake then you will begin your round with a par 4 in front of the clubhouse which has internal out of bounds to the right – this plays as the 3rd hole in The Open which is a relative welcome bit of relief with the club's practice ground lurking down the right.
For The Open your round will begin at the members' 17th and finish with a par 5 which usually plays as the club's 16th hole. There is an element of confusion to this but you simply add two to the members' routing to get your Open course.
The changes in the hole order that sees the 17th and 18th played as the 1st and 2nd in The Open were first mooted back in 1964 but they were overlooked for the 1967 when Roberto de Vicenzo lifted the Claret Jug.
In 2006, after a gap of 39 years, the R&A decided to go ahead with the new routing.
"Getting a strong finishing hole with enough space for grandstands was our priority, the 18th and the 72nd hole. The 1st hole is a very strong hole. And I think on balance we've done exactly the right thing. I found the paperwork after we made the decision, that it was considered in 1967, but they decided not to do it then; I'm not sure why. So it's not a new idea," explained the former chief executive, Peter Dawson in 2006.
"I know the members are going to review the situation for the future as to the order they play the holes themselves after the Championship. But, no, we are very happy with the order of the holes this way."
The move also means that we will finish with a par 5 where the same out of bounds exists for a pushed tee shot or approach. Now, with the wind playing ball, there is the opportunity for a late rally with a closing eagle as opposed to a straightaway par 4.
Before that we also have the new 17th, an uphill, pint-sized par 3 which is surrounded by sand with the Dee Estuary beyond it.
John Heggarty has been the head professional at Hoylake since 1982 and this is how he describes the Open's finishing hole which has been tweaked to get the very most out of it.
“The 18th has a brand new tee, we’ve changed the orientation of the out of bounds, so it has come in 20 yards from the right-hand side, which actually sets up better I think from the tee shot, as the tee shot is now parallel to the out of bounds so that gives you a better perspective, but the fact it has come in 20 yards does mean that the fairway’s narrower.
"Bunkers off the tee are a no-no on the that hole because you literally just have to get it out and then you’re left with a very long third shot. Players again in previous Opens have been able to hit long irons down there and just chase the ball. If we get fast running fairways they’ll do the same, but the reality is they’ll probably be a little further back than they were in 2014, which then brings more of the out of bounds in for the second shot."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Tips on how to play better, latest equipment reviews, interviews with the biggest names and more.

Mark has worked in golf for over 20 years having started off his journalistic life at the Press Association and BBC Sport before moving to Sky Sports where he became their golf editor on skysports.com. He then worked at National Club Golfer and Lady Golfer where he was the deputy editor and he has interviewed many of the leading names in the game, both male and female, ghosted columns for the likes of Robert Rock, Charley Hull and Dame Laura Davies, as well as playing the vast majority of our Top 100 GB&I courses. He loves links golf with a particular love of Royal Dornoch and Kingsbarns. He is now a freelance, also working for the PGA and Robert Rock. Loves tour golf, both men and women and he remains the long-standing owner of an horrific short game. He plays at Moortown with a handicap of 6.
-
-
Graeme McDowell Questions Ryder Cup Course Set-Up After Fifth Big Home Win In A Row
The former Ryder Cup player thinks it may be time for the Europeans and Americans to collaborate on how the courses are set up
By Mike Hall Published
-
10 Reasons Why Europe Won The 2023 Ryder Cup
Europe stunned America as they prevailed 16.5-11.5 to overturn their record defeat in Whistling Straits two years earlier, but what led to the win?
By James Nursey Published
-
European Ryder Cup Heroes To Make Immediate Return At Dunhill Links Championship
Three of Luke Donald's side are set to return from Italy and tee it up in Scotland later this week
By James Nursey Published
-
'My Head Was Spinning' - Why Max Homa Took An 'Incredible' Penalty Drop On The Final Hole At The Ryder Cup
Homa top scored for America in Rome with 3.5 points but benefited from a canny drop on the last in his Sunday singles
By James Nursey Published
-
'It’s Called Playing For A Hundred Bucks In Practice’ - How Europe Dominated The 1st Hole At Marco Simone
Luke Donald and Team Europe reveal the secrets behind their legendary fast starts in the 16.5-11.5 win over Team USA at the 2023 Ryder Cup
By James Nursey Published
-
Jordan Spieth Questions Ryder Cup Scheduling Amid Criticisms Over 'Disgraceful' USA Preparations
Spieth and captain Zach Johnson have responded to Europe regaining the Ryder Cup after an 16½-11½ defeat for USA at Marco Simone in Rome
By James Nursey Published
-
Will Luke Donald Get Another Two Years? Europe’s Ryder Cup Stars Hope So
Donald lifted the Ryder Cup at the trophy presentation where his team chanted: "Two more years" as they want him to stay in charge for 2025
By James Nursey Published
-
What Every Player Shot On Sunday At The Ryder Cup
Europe reclaimed the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone in Rome after a thrilling final day as we look at what the pros shot
By James Nursey Published
-
'It Fuelled Me' Rory McIlroy Fights Back Tears After Ryder Cup Win
McIlroy made it four wins in Rome with a 3&1 victory over Sam Burns after using the previous day's bust-up as "fuel"
By James Nursey Published
-
PGA Tour Korean Stars Exempt From Mandatory Military Service
Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim represented their country in the Asian Games in China where South Korea won gold in the team golf event
By James Nursey Published