Here’s my list.
I like all these courses. There are no Bellerives in this rota. But some are better than others.
And yeah, we’re kind of in a 4 year lull of venues from 2021-2024 with all being in my bottom 5.
1. Muirfield-Great winners almost every time. The best PFP course in the rota. So fair, but also very difficult. Seems like every Open it hosts is a really good one. Great location too. Sadly they are in the R&A doghouse right now, but I’m hopeful it’ll end soon.
2. Carnoustie-Love the difficulty and finishing stretch. Once again, cant beat East Coast of Scotland.
3. Birkdale-It’s the best of the English courses. A little like Muirfield in that it’s a real proper test. Very fair, but also is able to play difficult and incorporate true links elements. Great finishing hole too. Produces a lot of great winners.
4. Turnberry-Best views 100%. Has had some very memorable finishes, which seem to all involve Tom Watson. Actually a pretty stellar course too, but everyone only knows it for the views. Yeah, we know why it’s in the doghouse. Who knows if that’ll ever change? But definitely bad for the Open if it doesn’t.
5. Portrush-Way in on this venue after one Open. You could make a good argument it’ll be competing for the best few when it’s hosted more of them. I think it’s very important that there’s representation from outside England and Scotland. Want an Irish course too.
6. Old Course-Definitely a hot take, but it’s incompatible with the modern game. The history of it is unmatched, but it’s by far the worst current course in the rota. How do you match those two things up? And low key, 4 of the last 6 winners haven’t been those historic players people associate with this course. I think the easiness is allowing for worse winners.
7. Troon-Love how much it leans into the out and back feel more than any course in the rota. It’s the worst of the Scottish courses, but still really good. Last time it hosted was great.
8. St. George’s-Very quirky course, which a lot of people hate, but I think is what makes the Open great. I’ve read a lot about of the rota courses how it’s the course people hate on TV, and then they love once they play it. The last time it hosted was pretty good too. Biggest downsides, hosting the Open so far South. Also the winners tend to be weaker, not that they’re totally bad.
9. Lytham-Another course that gets a bad rep, but is pretty underrated. Has the most bunkers I think of any course in the rota. The finishing stretch and clubhouse is memorable. Has had some great finishes over the years too and generally good winners. Seems to be out of the rota though of late. The R&A has passed over it twice now in slots it should’ve gotten the Open.
10. Hoylake-Great winners the last two times. And great winners too pre 1960, but it feels oddly situated with how little it’s hosted compared to other venues of late and it’s not like a Turnberry or Portrush with natural appeal. It’s kind of just a very plain course. Not bad, but not really near the ocean and not ultra linksy feel to how shots are played. Don’t love how the players tend to take it apart either. But it’s still better than basically every PGA venue and a lot of US Open venues.
www.theopen.com
