Royal Birkdale Four holes to watch

1st hole 
(Champ 450yd Medal 447yd Par 4) This opening dog-leg is a formidable hole. A short hitter may be troubled by the ditch on the right, while a long hitter must guard against the out of bounds on the same side - particularly if the wind is blowing off the sea.

Even when the fairways are dry and hard and the ball is running long, you need a couple of mighty thumps to reach the green in two. Accuracy is vital because of the narrow entrance to the green which is guarded by three bunkers and a number of mounds.

6th hole
(Champ 492yd Medal 488yd Par 5) Whatever your standard this dog-leg is always a challenge. If you drive the ball more than 250yd (228m) you can reach the dog-leg from the tee, but watch out for the big bunker on the right side of the fairway.

If you're a short hitter you face a more difficult second shot across the angle of the dog-leg. There is trouble everywhere: three ditches, dangerous slopes, extensive rough and a plateau green that is closely surrounded by mounds and bushes. Best to take a safe three shots to reach the green.

8th hole
(Champ 460yd Medal 414yd Par 4) For the best line to the green on this dogleg, play down the right side of the fairway from the tee. But be careful - if you stray too far to the right there is a group of bunkers ready to catch your ball. Although the right is the more dangerous side, don't play safe down the left because you may leave yourself a blind second shot to the green. Take one more club than you think for your shot to the raised green.

12th hole
(Champ 186yd Medal 159yd Par 3) You can't see the green from the hole's elevated tee because of the sand dunes that closely guard the putting surface. Don't be short off the tee or your ball is likely to finish in one of the four greenside bunkers. Anything wide or overhit leaves a difficult chip.

This hole is the newest on the course; it was introduced in time for the 1965 Open Championship.