Is This The Best Par-5 On The Open Rota?

The par-5 17th hole at Royal Birkdale is one of the most famous and exciting holes in the Open Championship rota. With the 2026 Open Championship returning to Royal Birkdale, Golf Digest Architecture Editor Derek Duncan explores the history, architecture, and strategy behind one of the course's defining finishing holes.

Welcome to THE Hole At, Golf Digest's golf course architecture series, where Derek Duncan uncovers the hidden stories behind the most fascinating holes in golf.

In this episode, Derek takes a deep dive into the iconic 17th hole at Royal Birkdale, a dramatic reachable par-5 that has challenged golfers for more than a century. From its origins as one of the first custom built championship courses in history to its evolution through now 11 Open Championships, the 17th hole reveals how golf course architecture can influence strategy, shot-making, and championship outcomes.

As the world's best players prepare for the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, Derek examines the design decisions, architectural history, and strategic features that make the 17th hole one of the most respected par-5s in championship golf.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:50 The 17th Today
2:09 How It Was Created
5:30 Open Championship History
6:30 Why Are The Fairways So Flat?
8:25 Birkdale's Evolution
9:19 The Original 17th
10:25 How It Will Play In The 2026 Open
11:40 The Green
13:00 Major Moments At The 17th
16:03 Future Episode Suggestions

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Topics covered:
• Royal Birkdale
• 2026 Open Championship
• Royal Birkdale's 17th hole
• Golf course architecture
• Golf course design
• Open Championship history
• Championship golf strategy
• Derek Duncan
• Golf Digest