Born at historic Prestwick in 1860, the Open is golf's oldest and grandest major, the event that has defined the careers of generations of champions, but it has also elevated each of the venues it has been staged at to an iconic, legendary status.
14 courses have hosted the championship, with Dublin's Portmarnock widely expected to become the 15th in the coming years, taking the Open outside of the United Kingdom for the first time.
Unlike the United States, where famed layouts such as Augusta National, Oakmont, Shinnecock and Pine Valley are restricted to an exclusive membership and their guests, the most celebrated locations on this side of the Atlantic do have public access, you can book a dream tee time, albeit the price can be eye-wateringly expensive.
But if you desire to walk in the footsteps of past Champion Golfers - the icons of this game - you have that opportunity.
Let's have a look to see just what is required to make that a reality.
Carnoustie
- Opens Hosted: 1931, 1937, 1953, 1968, 1975, 1999, 2007, 2018
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
Arguably the Open's fiercest host and certainly one of its best, the likes of Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Padraig Harrington have all lifted the Claret Jug on the Angus links that boasts one of the most challenging finishes in the world of golf.
With a handicap limit of 28 for men and 36 for women, you can book a tee time here for £360pp in the peak months of 2026, with 2027's summer prices rising to a contentiously high £450pp. For play between 29th March to 30th April next year, the cost is £342pp.
Our travel partners Golfbreaks also offer packages that encompass overnight stays and additional courses.
Muirfield
- Opens Hosted: 1892, 1896, 1901, 1906, 1912, 1929, 1935, 1948, 1959, 1966, 1972, 1980, 1987, 1992, 2002, 2013
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
Many a knowledgeable mind consider this to be Scotland's best links, and with a collection of past winners that includes the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson, it's hard to argue with that reputation. One of the nation's more traditional clubs, the experience offered by this East Lothian masterpiece is undeniably unique.
Available to visitors on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2027's green fees are £420 for 18 holes and £655 for 36 holes on the day, with the latter option including the famous Muirfield lunch.
But for a less costly opportunity, winter green fees start from just £150 from December to February.
Golfbreaks can also take you there with these superb packages.
Musselburgh
- Opens Hosted: 1874, 1877, 1880, 1883, 1886, 1889
One of golf's revered birthplaces, the nine-holes at Musselburgh had its place as an Open venue in the 19th century, but it remains a significant draw for golfing purists who wish to play its unique layout that sits inside the horse racecourse.
Available to play for adults from just £25.50, there is also the option to truly go back in time and hire hickory clubs for your round. Magical!
Prestwick
- Opens Hosted: 1860, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870, 1872, 1875, 1878, 1881, 1884, 1887, 1890, 1893, 1898, 1903, 1908, 1914, 1925
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
This is where the Open began, staging the first 12 championships, and its Old Tom Morris design has captivated, fascinated and occasionally befuddled golfers ever since.
Peak season green fees start from £340 in 2026 (with 36 holes available for £440). Each of those prices will rise by £20 in 2027. Winter rates are significantly cheaper and there is also a lower rate for Ayrshire residents. The Prestwick Experience package includes a three-course lunch and 18 holes for £325.
You can also enjoy this magnificent coastline (pairing up Prestwick with other courses) by visiting Golfbreaks.
Prince’s
- Opens Hosted: 1932
The great Gene Sarazen won the sole championship that was staged on this Kent links back in 1932, with the course having been notably modified and changed following the Second World War, with further alterations in more recent years transforming it once more into a true must visit.
You could play here from £175 in the summer - with winter green fees starting from £100.
Boasting lodges and all manner of modern amenities, stay and play packages can be secured through Golfbreaks.
Royal Birkdale
- Opens Hosted: 1954, 1961, 1965, 1971, 1976, 1983, 1991, 1998, 2008, 2017, 2026
The championship made its way back to Royal Birkdale in 2026 and what a spectacular venue it is, one of the finest on the entire rotation.
Regular visitor tee times are available on Mondays and Thursdays, which can be booked for £450pp in April, which rises to £495pp for rounds played between May and October. The Birkdale Experience Package (£565pp) includes 18 holes, a special gift pack from the professional, and a two-course meal.
Golfbreaks is offering a one-night package that includes round at both Royal Birkdale and Hillside from £949pp.
Royal Cinque Ports
- Opens Hosted: 1909, 1920
Like nearby Prince's, some may not have realised that Royal Cinque Ports, Deal, had staged the Open in the distant past, but it nonetheless remains one of England's finest links courses.
Visitor play is available between Mondays and Thursdays and summer 2027 green fees will cost £285. But there is value in the winter - 19th October to 10th December - when times are on offer from £150pp.
As you would anticipate, spectacular packages to this corner of Kent are an option with Golfbreaks.
Royal Liverpool
- Opens Hosted: 1897, 1902, 1907, 1913, 1924, 1930, 1936, 1947, 1956, 1967, 2006, 2014, 2023
Hoylake is a venue rich with history and has crowned the likes of Walter Hagen, Peter Thomson, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy as the Champion Golfer of the Year.
Green fees in the summer are £400 but on a Tuesday, for £450, you can also sample lunch in the clubhouse.
Golfbreaks can take you there with some brilliant packages to England's special North West.
Royal Lytham & St Annes
- Opens Hosted: 1926, 1952, 1958, 1963, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1988, 1996, 2001, 2012, 2028
It was a century ago when Bobby Jones lifted the Claret Jug at Lytham, which is where Seve Ballesteros won two of his three Open titles.
Uniquely surrounded by houses and starting with a par 3, this is a distinctive venue full of character, one that has tested the world's best for generations.
£400 is the green fee in summer, but in October and March it can be played for £280 - and there are packages on offer with Golfbreaks too.
Royal Portrush
- Opens Hosted: 1951, 2019, 2025
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
This stunning links in Northern Ireland has brought new life to the Open since it returned to the rotation in 2019. The Dunluce is a remarkable course, breathtaking in scale and a raw examination of any golfer's abilities.
If you would like to play it, £420 is the main season green fee, while there are Golf Ireland rates available for groups of four on request.
And, yes, there are packages on Golfbreaks, which include other brilliant courses nearby.
Royal St George’s
- Opens Hosted: 1894, 1899, 1904, 1911, 1922, 1928, 1934, 1938, 1949, 1981, 1985, 1993, 2003, 2011, 2021
The was England's first Open venue and it has been a regular part of the championship ever since. While it has sometimes divided opinion due to its undulating fairways, those who admire this links, really, really love it, and you could discover exactly why by playing there yourself.
All players must have a handicap index of 18.4 or less, stricter than most places, with green fees in the winter starting from £215 and peak season rates being £430. These are all inclusive of the club's renowned dining room lunch.
You could also pair Royal St George's with Prince's and Royal Cinque Ports courtesy of Golfbreaks.
Royal Troon
- Opens Hosted: 1923, 1950, 1962, 1973, 1982, 1989, 1997, 2004, 2016, 2024
Part of Scotland's wonderful Ayrshire coastline, Royal Troon has been a favourite with American champions, including Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Xander Schauffele. Several of the holes are instantly recognisable, especially the revered par 3 8th, the Postage Stamp.
Tee times are available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with 2026 green fees being £395, which shall rise to £430 in 2027.
Want to explore Troon and others on the west coast? You can visit Golfbreaks for more information.
St Andrews
- Opens Hosted: 1873, 1876, 1879, 1882, 1885, 1888, 1891, 1895, 1900, 1905, 1910, 1921, 1927, 1933, 1939, 1946, 1955, 1957, 1960, 1964, 1970, 1978, 1984, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2022, 2027
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
There's nowhere else quite like St Andrews and its immortal Old Course. First staging the championship in 1873, the Open will make its way back for a 31st occasion in 2027. The winners here include such names as Jones, Thomson, Nicklaus, Ballesteros, Faldo, Woods. Iconic doesn't even come close to describing it - and the experience of playing here is simply magical.
Being a public venue, there are numerous ways to secure a tee time here, including a ballot drawn the year prior, in addition to costly tour operator and hotel packages, but an accessible pathway is the ballot that is drawn each day, with golfers entering two days prior to when they hope to play. There is even a ballot for single golfers to enter.
Green fees are £350 in the high season, dropping down to £250 in October.
Turnberry
- Opens Hosted: 1977, 1986, 1994, 2009
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
Turnberry has been one of the Open's more recently added venues, but it has arguably been underutilised. The "Duel in the Sun" between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus established its reputation from the beginning, with the enhanced Ailsa Course now being widely viewed as ranking alongside the world's very best.
But it does come at a premium. It costs £1,000 for non-hotel guests to play in the summer. If you are staying on-site, the green fee drops down, with lesser rates also available during non-peak months of the season, but this is clearly a prohibitively expensive tee time for most of us to even consider.
Golfbreaks also has some Turnberry possibilities for you to choose from.
Ultimately, while many golfers will rightly feel that the costs involved have risen too sharply during the past decade, the fact that anyone has the chance to emulate Open champions and play the same courses is something to cherish.
You can't play football at Wembley or tennis at Wimbledon, but you can play golf at St Andrews, Birkdale or Portrush.
