Hole 6

This is a long par 4, particularly if the wind is against. The stroke average on this whole was 4.62 in 1998, so most players will be delighted with a par.

Birkdale 6th

6th Par 4 Championship tee 499 yards Medal tee 488 yards

Justin Rose says: The 6th hole is one of the longest,toughest par 4 s on the golf course - it s normally a par 5 for members but the turn it into a par 4 for The Open Championship. There is a really big bunker on the right hand side of the fairway that you have to avoid at all costs. I have been hitting a 3-wood off this hole to come up just short of the bunker and except that I am going to have a really long approach in with a either a 2-iron or a Rescue club into the green here. This is a kind of hole that if you make four 4 s your ecstatic but probably par for the week on this hole will be a total of 18 shots. It plays about a par 4 ½.

Brian says: There are three ways to tackle this tee shot: lay-up short of the cross bunker and take on a blind second shot; drive left of the cross bunker to get a view of the green; or drive over the bunker, which is a 275-yard carry, for a relatively straightforward approach but if the wind is against they ve got no chance. The stroke average in the 1998 Open was well over four (4.62). It s almost a par-five green as well long and thin. I would like to watch the players hit long irons over 200 yards onto that green, into the wind. You don t see that often.

Hole 1|Hole 2|Hole 3|Hole 4|Hole 5|Hole 6|Hole 7|Hole 8|Hole 9|

Hole 10|Hole 11|Hole 12|Hole 13|Hole 14|Hole 15|Hole 16|Hole 17|Hole 18|

The leading website from the world’s oldest golf magazine, we’re the go-to destination for amateur and keen golfers alike who are keen to up their golfing game. As well as expert course reviews, news and tips to improve your handicap our golf-focused travel content will help you pair teeing off with your travels in some of the best destinations around the globe.