Royal Birkdale Golf Club Hole By Hole Guide: Hole 12

A guide to the twelfth hole at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England ahead of the 146th Open Championship

Royal Birkdale Golf Club Hole By Hole Guide: Hole 12

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18

The 146th Open Championship takes place at Royal Birkdale this month, here is a guide to the twelfth hole.

Related: Royal Birkdale Golf Club Course Review

At 183 yards, it isn't the longest of par par-3s but it is extremely tricky, especially when the wind is up.

From the back tee the green looks minuscule, with a cavernous bunker short-left just waiting to pick up golf balls.

There us another deep pot bunker guarding the right side as well.

Just like the 11 holes prior, mounds of deep rough surround the green making up-and-downs difficult to come by.

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He covered the 2022 and 2025 Masters from Augusta National and was there by the 18th green to watch Rory McIlroy complete the career grand slam. He has also covered five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews.