Royal St George's: 2026 Update
The only Open Championship links in the South East of England, host of Collin Morikawa's 2021 victory, remains one of the great tests in the game. Here is where Royal St George's stands in 2026 and how to play it at Sandwich.
The news: an Open venue between championships
Royal St George's at Sandwich, founded in 1887, is one of the great links of England and the only course on The Open rota located in the South East of the country. It last hosted the championship in July 2021, the 149th Open and the fifteenth held at the club, won by Collin Morikawa at fifteen under par, two strokes clear of Jordan Spieth, in what was only Morikawa's second major start.
The story for 2026 is that of a major venue in its between championships years. With the rota rolling forward through other host courses in the seasons ahead, Royal St George's has no confirmed next Open date, which is exactly when a visitor can experience a championship links at its most accessible. The course that tested the world's best in 2021 is, for now, one a traveling golfer can book.
The course, and its place in Kent
Royal St George's plays as a par 70 of roughly 7,200 yards from the championship tees, a sprawling, tumbling links of huge dunes, blind shots and some of the deepest bunkers in the game, none more famous than the cavernous Himalayas bunker at the par 4 fourth. The ground is rarely flat, the wind off the English Channel is constant, and reading the bounce is as much of the challenge as striking the ball.
It anchors a remarkable corner of Kent golf, with Royal Cinque Ports at Deal a short drive away and the links of the South East within easy reach of one another. In the wider English picture it sits alongside the other Open links such as Royal Liverpool and Royal Lytham and St Annes. For the hole by hole detail and the facts box, see the full Royal St George's course profile.
How to play it in 2026
Visitors can book tee times on most days outside members' times and club competitions, subject to the handicap and dress requirements that a club of this standing maintains. The links plays well across a long season, with high summer the firmest and fastest, when the fairways run and the course bares its teeth. Demand is strong, so book well ahead and build in flexibility for the wind.
The natural 2026 trip pairs Royal St George's with Royal Cinque Ports and the other Kent links for a Sandwich golf week, an easy run from London and the Channel ports. The green fee is premium, at or above four hundred pounds in 2026 and in recent seasons inclusive of a dining room experience, and should be treated as indicative; always confirm directly before booking. For more, see our ranked best Open Championship venues and the best links courses in the United Kingdom.
Our take
Our take is that Royal St George's is a true bucket list links, a course that divides opinion for its quirk and blind shots but rewards the golfer willing to embrace them. It is the genuine article, a championship test you can play in the footsteps of Open winners, and the years between championships are the best time to do it.
For 2026 the advice is to play it on a firm summer day, accept that the bounces are part of the bargain, and pair it with Royal Cinque Ports next door for a Kent links double. Few rounds in England carry this much history and this much character on the same eighteen holes.
Plan your Kent links golf trip
From Royal St George's at Sandwich to Royal Cinque Ports at Deal and the wider South East links, tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge builds and costs the trip, working the right channels, with no obligation.
Questions
Where is Royal St George's and what are its key facts?
Royal St George's Golf Club is at Sandwich in Kent, founded in 1887. It plays as a par 70 of roughly 7,200 yards from the championship tees and is one of the great links of England, the only course on The Open rota located in the South East of the country. Its tumbling fairways, deep bunkers and exposed coastal setting make it one of the sternest tests in championship golf.
When did Royal St George's last host The Open?
Royal St George's hosted the 149th Open in July 2021, won by Collin Morikawa at fifteen under par, two strokes ahead of Jordan Spieth. It was the 15th Open held at the club. Royal St George's remains an active Open venue, and as the rota rolls forward through other host courses it awaits the call for its next staging.
How do you play Royal St George's in 2026?
Visitors can book tee times on most days outside members' times and competitions, subject to the club's handicap and dress requirements. The links plays well across a long season, with summer the firmest and fastest. It pairs naturally with the neighbouring Kent links on a Sandwich golf trip. The 2026 green fee is premium, at or above four hundred pounds, and is indicative; always confirm directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts, championship history and rota status verified June 2026 from club and Open Championship sources; Royal St George's was founded in 1887 and hosted the 149th Open in 2021, won by Collin Morikawa. Conditions, access and green fees change, so always confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.