Royal Birkdale 16th - Open Championship Hole of the Day - Beau Welling Design

The 16th hole at Royal Birkdale is a 439-yard par four that provides a demanding test from tee to green. A slight dogleg right, the hole will emphasize finding the narrow, undulating fairway off the tee. Prior to the 2008 Open Championship, a new back tee was added to further lengthen the hole which plays into a prevailing crosswind from the right. Players will look to challenge the inside of the dogleg to effectively shorten the hole and also achieve the best angle for approach shots into the slightly elevated green. Windblown contours, as well as two fairway bunkers off to the right from 239 to 258 yards, protect the optimal line off the tee which competitors will look to avoid. Dense gorse and thick rough to the right will pose issues for competitors missing the 29-yard-wide fairway. Four pot bunkers are located in the center and to the right of the fairway from 56 to 15 yards short of the green and should be avoided by any players laying up on their approach due to being out of position off the tee. For competitors successfully finding the fairway, a mid iron approach will be left to the well-protected green. Four greenside pot bunkers flank the front portion of the green, which also falls off on both the left and right sides, further emphasizing holding the putting surface by aiming for the center. The elevated green measures 38 yards deep by 24 yards wide at its widest point.