Royal Lytham & St. Annes

royal lytham
Founded
George Low Jr., 1897

Regardless of whether the wind is blowing or what technology does, Lytham’s 205 bunkers mean that this rugged links is always ready to test the best, just as it has done since 1926 when it played host to its first Open Championship. One of those bunkers, in the left-center of the 18th fairway, cost Adam Scott the 2012 Open. Indeed, the entire 18th hole is a master class in how to stagger fairway bunkers to create playing interest and should be recognized as one of the game’s top dozen finishers. No one was better at getting out of jail than Spain’s Seve Ballesteros, who twice won here in glorious fashion. (Photo: Kevin Murray)