Royal Links Hole by Hole Preview
The ROYAL LINKS’ 18-hole golf course was inspired by some of the most famous golf holes of courses where the British Open has been played. The selected holes (see below) were chosen for how well they represent the spirit of the game in the birthplace of golf. In creating the ROYAL LINKS, the design team sought to provide players with shot values, challenges and drama similar to those at the honored golf courses.
Hole No. 1 334-yard, par 4
Inspired by #10 at Royal Lytham Golf Club, this short but challenging par 4 is a
dogleg-right with a smallish elevated green and deep bunkers guarding the right.
Hole No. 2 390-yard, par 4
Royal Links’ second hole will remind players of #7 at Royal Troon Golf Club in
Scotland. The hole features an elevated tee with fairway bunkers left and right placing
a premium on accuracy. Fairway shots should be down the center since a large
mound on the right side of the fairway will create a blind shot into the green for
anyone who misses right off the tee. The green is surrounded by three large bunkers.
Hole No. 3 171-yard, par 3
Similar to #2 at Prestwick Golf Club, this golf hole features a large, but well-protected
green that’s guarded by bunkers on both the right and left.
Hole No. 4 602-yard, par 5
This massive par 5 was inspired by #8 at Royal Liverpool Golf Club and requires
both distance and accuracy from players. A substantial mound on the right side of the
fairway makes ball position off the tee very important. The elevated green is guarded
by a pot bunker on the front right.
Hole No. 5 325-yard, par 4
Reminiscent of #12 on St. Andrews’ Old Course, the hole features six fairway
bunkers that are virtually invisible from the tee. However, with a safe first shot
players need only a solid wedge into the narrow green.
Hole No. 6 410-yard, par 4
Inspired by #10 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, this hole has a sharp dogleg left that
puts emphasis on hitting a good tee shot. Players will want to favor the left side since
the fairway slopes left to right with a bunker guarding the right side approximately
260 yards out. However, anything that holds too far to the left of center will make the
approach difficult to the well-protected green.
Hole No. 7 466-yard, par 4
Similar to #13 at Royal St. George Golf Club, this longish par four has bunkers
guarding the right side of the fairway off the tee and three more deadly reverse
bunkers farther down towards the center of the fairway. The elevated green is
fronted by two large bunkers on the left and right.
Hole No. 8 126-yard, par 3
This challenging par-3 was inspired by Royal Troon Golf Club’s famed “Postage
Stamp.” Though it’s only 16 yards long, the small green is elevated and well-protected
by five bunkers - one in the front and two each on the left and right. Believe it or not,
Gene Sarazen aced Royal Troon’s “Postage Stamp” at 71 years of age in his final
appearance at the 1973 British Open.
Hole No. 9 559-yard, par 5
Inspired by #5 Muirfield Golf Club, this golf hole has a rolling fairway pocked with
a virtual minefield of bunkers. Five located along the right side menace players from
the start while others are spread along both sides of the fairway farther on. Seven
more bunkers surround the green, making an accurate approach a necessity.
Hole No. 10 467-yard, par 4
The famed “Road Hole” of St. Andrews (No. 17 on the Old Course) served as the
inspiration for this thrilling par-4. Just like in Scotland, players must clear a section of
old wall with their tee shots, a menacing bunker protects the front left of the tiny green
and a road cuts diagonally across its back.
Hole No. 11 335-yard, par 4
The arduous elevation changes and severe dogleg right of Royal Links’ 11th hole
will remind players of #6 at Royal Cinque Port Golf Club. Here, as there, good ball
placement and strong iron play are paramount.
Hole No. 12 473-yard, par 4
The longest par-4 at Royal Links features many of the same characteristics as Royal
Birkdale Golf Club’s sixth. Two fairway bunkers keep players honest by requiring tee
shots to be both accurate and long. A sharp dogleg right and two bunkers protecting
the green can make the approach tricky. Don’t expect too many birdies here.
Hole No. 13 356-yard, par 4
Inspired by #15 at Prestwick Golf Club, this short par-4 plays to an elevated green
protected by two bunkers on the front right. Elevation changes in the fairway add
to its challenge.
Hole No. 14 201-yard, par 3
The steep slopes to the right of this green and the pot bunker guarding its front
will remind players of #15 at Turnberry Golf Club. The undulating green requires
pin-point accuracy in order for players to have any chance at a birdie.
Hole No. 15 553-yard, par 5
Similar to #5 at Turnberry Golf Club, this long, narrow par-5 doglegs left and
features an elevated green and an elevated tee. Fairway bunkers and severe
mounding guard the left side of the fairway. A steep slope in front of the green
requires a strong approach shot.
Hole No. 16 459-yard, par 4
This hole is long, narrow and peppered with bunkers very similar to #15 at
Carnoustie Golf Links. Pot bunkers, in particular, are prevalent all along its
rolling fairway and the green is heavily guarded..
Hole No. 17 223-yard, par 3
Inspired by #17 at Royal Troon Golf Club, this hole may be the toughest on the golf
course. It’s a long par-3 with four bunkers protecting the approach to the green and a
fifth guarding the right. You’ve got to be deadly accurate here.
Hole No. 18 520-yard, par 5
Those who’ve faced the challenges of #14 on St. Andrews’ Old Course will recognize
the size and placement of the treacherous bunkers on Royal Links’ challenging
finishing hole. Five bunkers, similar to St. Andrews’ “Beardies,” lie to the left of the
fairway and are eager to gobble up errant tee shots. Likewise, players must carry
two more bunkers - akin to “Hell and the Grave” at St. Andrews - with their second
shots. The third shot must be well-placed to hold the shallow green.
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