Royal Birkdale 2026 Beta

[linkster]

It is nothing fancy but I uploaded what I have completed for an update of Royal Birkdale. I didn't get the seam blends completed for the rough, planting is limited, and no crowds or 3D. The lidar does capture the new hole changes completed in 2024 but not the bunkers and tee changes done in 2025. I free handed most of these changes but someday I'll get it right when new lidar comes out.

Royal Birkdale is frequently described and a fair test of golf. There are not many blind shots into the greens and the fairways are generally flat. Middle of the greens is generally flat, which is a big difference from the majors at Aronimink and Shinnecock so far this year. Ball striking will be key on this course. If the wind picks up, that will make the challenge extremely more difficult.

Feel free to comment on what this course needs to be completed. Next year I will focus on only 1 majors course; St Andrews Old Course.

[linkster]

Here is a link to the file until it becomes available:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15yJXuF ... drive_link

[Southcitygolf]

***SCG - I want to thank linkster for making this course available before the start of The Open. These designers put in hours of their time to bring these courses to life for our enjoyment. With all the changes to the course, linkster did great job making this playable for us. Thank you my Brother, Can't wait for the final product.

I only played with Breezy wind and the course responded in kind. This is not a very hard course if you play fairways and greens. Throw in some wind, now you have a course with teeth.
During this tournament, you can figure Gusty to Windy conditions for four days.

Links 2003 Royal Birkdale Beta
By linkster

Video link to Royal Birkdale Beta
https://youtu.be/GDroX7mBJNM

[dko]

After playing a few practice rounds in varying conditions, I think this Linkster course will play exactly as the real one; mid-60s or lower in calm conditions, just under to just over par (or worse) when the wind blows. In one case, I actually had to play sideways out of a fairway bunker. In another case, when I decided to blast away on a tee shot, I rolled into one of those little streams/burns (or whatever they are.)

The false fronts and roll-offs can create interesting short game shots. A wonderful job by Linkster, especially for a beta and given the time constraints.

[dwg]

The course plays well, I wasn't playing as well as the course, but still did ok, there are some places you do not want to be, I found a few. I think the wind is this course's biggest defence in real life.

For a Beta version it is very good, I have seen some final courses not this good, so it is more than just usable for any events this coming week.

For information, I noticed the scorecard is missing handicaps.

Des

[Pete]

Many thanks Linkster great job & been hoping for this great course for a long time the old ships bridge clubhouse would be nice

[sagevanni]

Nice job Linkster....!!!!!

Sage.......