The Open 2021: Hole-by-hole guide to Royal St George's

Royal St George's hole-by-hole guide to the course.

Hole 1

445 yards, par 4

Average score in 2011 - 4.216 (8th hardest)

This is a challenging opening hole where players will need to drive over a deep swale. Bunkers lie in wait for approaches that are either short or lead, and the green slopes from front to back.

Hole 2

421 yards, par 4

2011 - 4.06 (16th hardest)

The Hogsback doglegs from right to left with two bunkers lurking on the inside corner. A straightforward approach awaits but finding the front of the green would be preferable as it facilitates an uphill putt.

Hole 3

239 yards, par 3

2011 - 3.247 (6th hardest)

The right level of the two-tiered putting surface will have to be found on the first of the four par threes. There are no bunkers and the tree on the right side of the green is the only one on the course.

Hole 4

491 yards, par 4

2011 - 4.521 (hardest hole)

The first priority will be to avoid the huge Himalayan bunker but the problems are not all over if players can find the flat area of the fairway. Club selection will be crucial as overshooting the green brings the risk of going out of bounds on one of the course’s most difficult tests.

Hole 5

422 yards, par 4

2011 - 4.11 (12th= hardest)

Players will face the choice of which side of the split fairway to attack, but most of the trouble can be negotiated by a hefty drive of more than 300 yards. However, an iron down the right could prove to be the more sensible approach from which to attack the unexposed green.

Hole 6

174 yards, par 3

2011 - 3.214 (9th hardest)

Four bunkers surround the green with a dune on the left a prominent feature on the second par three of the test. Tom Watson knocked in a hole-in-one during his second round ten years ago.

Hole 7

566 yards, par 5

2011 - 4.563 (18th hardest)

Players face a blind tee shot on the first of the course’s two par fives. Three steep greenside bunkers can gobble up any errant approaches but plenty of birdies and even eagles will be anticipated.

Hole 8

450 yards, par 4

2011 - 4.369 (2nd hardest)

Go left from the tee to avoid two bunkers, and approaches will have to be spot on too to avoid some penal rough. The contoured green is protected by two bunkers at the front and a par is always a decent score here.

Hole 9

412 yards, par 4

2011 - 4.241 (7th hardest)

The second shot is key as anything that heads too far left risks finding one of two bunkers. It’s an undulating putting surface so the right level will have to be found depending on pin position.

Hole 10

415 yards, par 4

2011 - 4.188 (11th hardest)

Again the emphasis will be on the quality of the approach as the elevated green slopes from all sides. The green has been brought forward over the years but precision with the second shot will be of primary importance.

Hole 11

238 yards, par 3

2011 - 3.252 (5th hardest)

This hefty par-three can cause problems, particularly if the wind picks up. There are five bunkers around the green but the three on the left are more likely to come into play as the green slopes in that direction.

Hole 12

379 yards, par 4

2011 - 3.998 (17th hardest)

There are a few issues here with five bunkers at the front of the green and a ridge running across the fairway, but this is the shortest par four on the course which means top players can use an iron off the tee and still have a lofty club for their approach. It should prove relatively trouble free.

Hole 13

456 yards, par 4

2011 - 4.11 (12th= hardest)

An accurate drive will be essential to avoid one of four dangerous bunkers. A ridge runs down the length of the putting surface so being the right side of that will be the key consideration when approaching the green.

Hole 14

547 yards, par 5

2011 - 5.066 (15th hardest)

The second and final par five is not the typical birdie opportunity players may anticipate, mainly because the wind can prove a huge factor. There is out-of-bounds running from tee to green down the right and most of the trouble is in that direction. Avoid that and the most pressing concern could be the ditch 330 yards from the back tee.

Hole 15

496 yards, par 4

2011 - 4.269 (4th hardest)

Plenty of sand will have to be avoided here, with five bunkers in play off the tee and three more around the green on this long par four. A challenging pitch awaits if you miss the green to the left.

Hole 16

162 yards, par 3

2011 - 3.071 (14th hardest)

The green is surrounded by pot bunkers so it stands to reason that these have to be avoided at all costs. Even if you get out, there is a chance that the ball can come rolling back into the trap, so finding the green initially is vital.

Hole 17

426 yards, par 4

2011 - 4.199 (10th hardest)

The fairway has plenty of swales and humps but the approach is the most important element of the gentle dogleg. The false-fronted green lies in wait for anything a bit short while players who go long face a difficult up and down. Bunkers await errant second shots on both sides.

Hole 18

450 yards, par 4

2011 - 4.325 (3rd hardest)

This is a tough one to close. The approach is never easy with a swale to the left of the green lying in wait, from which an up and down is not guaranteed. And that's after you've had to negotiate two tricky fairway bunkers. Expect closing fireworks.

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