Royal Lytham & St Annes is one of England’s most celebrated golf clubs. Rich with history and blessed with iconic championship heritage, it’s a jewel of Lancashire and stands as a layout that has challenged the world’s best golfers for generations.
While it’s story dates back to the 1890s, the course truly came to prominence following its redesign by the great Harry Colt, who prepared a layout that was suitable to stage the Open in 1926.
How Many Opens Have Been Staged at Royal Lytham & St Annes?
That was the year when legendary amateur Bobby Jones lifted the Claret Jug, claiming the first of three famous victories in the game’s oldest and grandest major.
Since then, the list of winners is no less stellar, including Bobby Locke, Peter Thomson, Bob Charles, Tony Jacklin, Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Tom Lehman, David Duval and, most recently, Ernie Els in 2012.
There had been fears that perhaps Lytham wouldn’t return to host the championship – such is the scale of the event these days for a venue that has limited space to accommodate the modern trappings of the Open. But thankfully, it was confirmed that the Champion Golfer of the Year would once more be crowned here in 2028.
Lytham has also hosted two Ryder Cups (1961 & 1977) and welcomed both the Amateur Championship and Senior Open on several occasions, but it has also become a superb canvas for the Women’s Open.
Sherri Steinhauer won the first edition that was held here in 1998, before returning to clinch another in 2006, while Annika Sorenstam, Catriona Matthew and Georgia Hall have all claimed this title ahead of the championship making its way back in 2026.
What Makes Royal Lytham & St Annes So Special?
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
Featuring 174 bunkers, Lytham is a highly strategic golf course, and one of the most testing that you are likely to encounter. The annual Lytham Trophy – bringing together elite amateurs – demonstrates that fact each year. From the blue tees, it has a formidable WHS Course Rating of 76.5 and a Slope of 152.
Bordered by the railway line and surrounded by the town of Lytham St Annes itself, this is a course with a distinctive look and feel, with that sense of uniqueness being further demonstrated by the layout beginning with a par three.
Despite this land restriction, it’s refreshing that championship golf remains part of Lytham’s legacy.
When Golfshake Ambassador Andy Picken played here, he wrote: “Ultimately, Royal Lytham & St Annes represents one of the finest tests of golf available in the United Kingdom. Having taken RLSA off my bucket list, I am replacing it back as I now find it necessary to play it over two days and discover the delights of the Dormy House. This was a golfing experience of the finest order that I need to repeat.”
How Good is Royal Lytham & St Annes?
Ranked as one of the UK’s best courses on Golfshake, with that rating being based on the reviews submitted by everyday golfers, the quality of Lytham is clear.
Here are just some of the glowingly positive comments that we have received:
“The layout was excellent and the condition of the course was perfect. The quality of the design and the history of the course was evident and the overall Open vibe was great.”
“The fairways and greens are in great condition and it is a very difficult course, with fast running greens. Highly recommended!”
“It goes without saying that the course was in perfect condition but also the welcome, staff, food and bar were excellent. Played twice over the two days, off the green tees first then red tees second day. Tip – don’t miss the sausage rolls at halfway hut!”
“For me Royal Lytham & St Annes was a bucket list course to play and it did not disappoint. An excellent experience from arrival to leaving.”
“Best course I have played, tough test of golf, but awesome to walk the fairways that legends have.”
What Does it Cost to Play Royal Lytham & St Annes?
Like most courses of this calibre, it’s certainly an expensive booking to make. Green fees between 1 April to 30 September 2026 are £400, but that drops to £280 in October 2026 and March 2027. There is also an England Golf member rate of £800 per tee time.
It’s recommended that golfers playing here should have handicaps no greater than 21 (for men) and 30 (for women).
Our travel partners Golfbreaks have some attractive packages that include rounds at Royal Lytham and these are worth checking out if this is an experience that you wish to sample.
The relationship between Royal Lytham & St Annes and championship now spans a full glorious century, with that connection set to continue for years to come, meaning that this remains an outstanding venue of the past, present and future.