Essentially Golf's Open Championship Handbook

👋 {{readername | Hey golf fans}},

The Open Championship has always stood apart.

The weather changes without warning, the hallowed courses have a mind of their own, and every par is earned rather than expected. To celebrate this and to help you enjoy every part of championship week, we’ve created a handbook.

Inside, you'll find the stories behind the venue, the traditions that define The Open, the players to watch, the moments that shaped its remarkable history, and the details that make this championship unlike any other.

Thank you for reading and for sharing our passion for the game. We hope these pages enhance your appreciation of golf's most timeless test.

Enjoy the Open Championship.

The Open has always been about more than championship golf. It's about wind off the coast, unpredictable skies, and the timeless charm of links golf. Our latest collection takes its inspiration from that tradition.

Thoughtfully designed for golfers who appreciate the history, character, and enduring appeal of The Open. Explore the collection at Essentially Golf Shop.

Tommy Fleetwood brought his father to caddie for him at Royal Birkdale. But can you name the special event? Fewer than 20% of our readers answered correctly.

Tracing back its history to 1889, Royal Birkdale was originally a nine-hole course. Five years later, it moved to Birkdale Hills and, in 1897, to the current place it occupies in England. Birkdale hosted its first Open in 1954, when Peter Thomson won the title. This week, Royal Birkdale will host its 11th Open, second-most after St. Andrews.

Hey folks! Welcome to the Essentially Golf Prediction Challenge!

Show off your golf instincts by making The Open Championship picks. It’s not limited to predicting the winner. No, you’ve got a chance to bring the golf analyst inside you and predict scores, possible records, and more.

Stack up points. Work your way up the rankings. And earn a chance to walk away with a $25 gift card. We’ve explained the scoring system below.

Weekly Prize: Top scorer each week grabs a sweet $25 gift card — yep, a reward for being right.
Season Prizes: After the regular season, the Top 5 overall get end-of-season rewards. Bigger stage, bigger flex!

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We’re curious to know your thoughts and open to your suggestions. Your honest answer helps us write what you actually want to read, not what we assume you do. So let us know in the comments below.

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