There's something special about standing on the same tee box where history was made — where Tiger fist-pumped, where Seve conjured magic from the car park, where Watson chipped in at 17. Many golfers assume these venues are private and inaccessible, but a surprising number of major championship courses welcome visitors. Here's your guide to playing the courses where legends are made.
The Open Championship Venues
The Open Championship is played exclusively at links courses in the UK, and most of them welcome visitors:
St Andrews Old Course (Scotland)
The home of golf is a public course. Access is via a daily ballot — submit your name (online or at the starter's box) the day before, and you'll be informed by 4pm whether you have a tee time. The odds aren't bad, especially outside peak season. Green fee: approximately £275 in summer.
Carnoustie (Scotland)
A fully public course managed by the Carnoustie Golf Links trust. Book online up to a year in advance. Green fee: from £75 off-peak to £200 in summer. This might be the best-value championship venue in the world.
Royal Troon (Scotland)
Visitors are welcome on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. You'll need a handicap certificate and an introduction from your home club. Green fee: approximately £280 including lunch.
Royal St George's (England)
Visitors can play on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, with some Thursdays and Fridays available. A letter of introduction from your club secretary is required. Green fee: approximately £200.
Royal Portrush (Northern Ireland)
The Dunluce Links is open to visitors most days, though weekend availability is limited. Book well in advance for summer dates. Green fee: from £100 off-peak to £240 in summer.
Royal Birkdale (England)
Visitors are accommodated on specific days throughout the week. Contact the club directly to arrange. Green fee: approximately £250.
US Open and PGA Championship Venues
American championship venues tend to be more private, but several notable exceptions exist:
Bethpage Black (New York)
A New York State public course — anyone can play. The catch: it's incredibly popular. New York residents can book online; others join the overnight queue or try walk-up availability. Green fee: $75 for NY residents, $150 for others.
Torrey Pines South (California)
A San Diego municipal course perched on cliffs above the Pacific. The South Course hosted the US Open in 2008 and 2021. Green fee: $67 for SD residents, $202 for non-residents. Some of the best value in American championship golf.
Pebble Beach (California)
The most famous public golf course in America. Green fees are eye-watering ($575) but the experience — crashing waves, sea otters, and some of the most photographed holes in golf — justifies the once-in-a-lifetime splurge. Hotel guests at Pebble Beach Resorts get priority booking.
Pinehurst No. 2 (North Carolina)
The crown jewel of Pinehurst Resort is open to resort guests. The Donald Ross masterpiece hosted back-to-back US Opens in 2014 and returns in 2029. Green fee: $395 for resort guests.
Chambers Bay (Washington)
The 2015 US Open venue is a public course operated by Pierce County. The links-style layout along Puget Sound offers incredible views. Green fee: from $75.
Ryder Cup Venues
The K Club (Ireland)
The Palmer Course, venue for the 2006 Ryder Cup, is open to visitors year-round. Stay at the resort for the full experience. Green fee: from €195.
Marco Simone (Italy)
Host of the 2023 Ryder Cup near Rome, this is a resort course open to visitors. Green fee: from €200.
Le Golf National (France)
The 2018 Ryder Cup venue south of Paris welcomes visitors. The Albatros course is a stern championship test with amphitheatre-style viewing mounds still visible from the Ryder Cup. Green fee: from €105 off-peak.
Celtic Manor (Wales)
The 2010 Ryder Cup venue in Newport is a resort course open to all. The Twenty Ten course was purpose-built for the event. Green fee: from £175 for resort guests.
How to Get On
Securing a tee time at championship venues requires planning:
- Book early. Six to twelve months ahead for peak-season tee times at the most popular venues.
- Check visitor days. Many private clubs designate specific days for visitors — usually Mondays through Thursdays.
- Carry a handicap certificate. Most UK and European championship courses require one. USGA handicap index or equivalent is widely accepted.
- Get a letter of introduction from your home club if required. Some clubs still ask for this formality.
- Consider a golf tour operator. Specialists have allocation at courses that can be hard to book independently. The markup is often worth the saved hassle.
- Travel in the shoulder season. October, November, March, and April offer much better availability and lower green fees at most venues.
- Be flexible. If your dream course is full, call the pro shop directly — cancellations happen, especially in uncertain weather.
Standing on the 18th tee at St Andrews, or looking across the 7th at Pebble Beach, or walking the 16th at Carnoustie — these are experiences that every golfer should have. And the good news is, you don't need to know a member to have them.
