Royal Birkdale differs slightly from many of Britain’s great links courses in that its holes run between the sand dunes, not over them. The fairways are therefore relatively flat, meaning unanticipated kicks from the short grass into the rough (fairly thick this year due to 50% more rain in the last two months than is usual) will be few. But this is a major championship, of course, so although it measures only 7,180 yards from the back tees, Birkdale will be anything but easy. And if the wind blows anywhere near as strongly as it did during 1998’s third round, when Tiger Woods ballooned to a seven-over 77, the following five holes will play well above their par, and 280 — even par for 72 holes — could be good enough to win.

1st — 450 yards, Par 4

A very strong opening hole requiring a precisely positioned tee shot to give players a decent view of the green for their approach. The dune on the left can be carried from the tee, leaving a good line into the pin, but it is a risky shot, as the landing area is small. A long iron or hybrid to the left of the fairway is therefore the most sensible shot. New bunkers and mounds around the putting surface make the 200-yard approach shot considerably more demanding than it was 10 years ago.

5th – 346 yards, Par 4

This short par 4 can be driven on windless days, but it is more likely to play into Birkdale’s prevailing gusts. When it does, the wisest play from the tee will be a long iron to the left of the fairway, avoiding all the trouble on the right: a pond and knee-deep rough. Club professional Brian Hodgkinson doesn’t expect to see many players taking the green on, as that could very easily lead to a six or even worse. The green has two tiers and is surrounded by seven bunkers, so even though the approach shot will probably be played with little more than a sand wedge, accuracy and good distance control are necessary to leave a makeable birdie putt.

6th – 499 yards, Par 4

Birkdale’s toughest par 4 (stroke average of 4.62 in 1998) is an absolute brute into any sort of breeze. A dogleg right, the options off the tee are many: Stay short of the fairway bunkers leaving a long, blind, uphill second; come up shy of the bunker on the left at 303 yards from the tee and leave a slightly less daunting approach, or take on the 275-yard carry over the bunker on the right to leave a 190-yard shot. Even this last option will be a tough approach, however, as the green is raised, relatively narrow, and protected by three deep, front bunkers.

17th – 572 yards, Par 5

One of Birkdale’s best driving holes, the 17th is a slight dogleg left and should be reachable in two for many as it will likely play downwind. The new green, which is now 30 yards farther back from its 1998 position, has been cut into a large dune and is very heavily contoured. It will definitely prove unpopular with many players who find it in two and then take three or four putts. Laying back to a favorite yardage and finding the right part of the green with a wedge could prove a popular policy.

18th – 473 yards, Par 4

The superb closing hole has out-of-bounds down the right and three bunkers very much in play off the tee, including a new one at 300 yards on the left of the fairway. Players will instinctively want to drive down the right to leave a shorter approach, but the OB isn’t the only threat on that side, as some of the course’s deepest rough lurks just wide of the fairway. A cut shot, starting left of the bunker 270 yards ahead and curving back to the left or middle of the fairway, is therefore the best option. The green, which sits immediately below the white-washed Art Deco clubhouse, has a narrow entrance protected by three bunkers.

T.D.