My First Day at The British Open: A Beginner’s Guide to a One-of-a-Kind Golf Tournament

What Is the British Open?

The British Open is the final major championship (one of the four biggest and most important tournaments) of the year in golf. There really isn’t another tournament quite like it.

Getting to Royal Birkdale

I traveled to Liverpool (a city in England) and spent the final practice round exploring Royal Birkdale (the golf course) before the start of the 154th Open (the 154th time this tournament has been held).

How Is It Different From a US Major?

Almost everything was different from attending a major in the United States. Here are a few things I noticed:

• Driving on the opposite side of the road
• Figuring out temperatures in Celsius (a different way to measure heat)
• Learning that a line of people waiting is called a "queue" in England

Important Point: Even the weather was a major talking point! Liverpool was in the middle of what locals considered a heat wave, with temperatures reaching just over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. That may sound like a normal summer day in the US, but many buses and buildings in England do not have the same level of air conditioning.

The Surprise at The Shop

Once I made it to Royal Birkdale, one of the biggest surprises was the wait for The Shop (the main merchandise area).

• The line to get in was as long as the lines fans experience at the Masters (another famous golf tournament).
• The problem was, once inside, there was another massive queue just to pay and check out.

I eventually gave up on the main shop and grabbed a flag, hat, and shirt from a smaller stand in the Fan Village (a fun area for spectators).

Trying the Local Food

I also tried the obvious meal for my first day at The Open: fish and chips (fried fish with fries).

My order came with:

• One large piece of cod (a type of fish)
• Fries
• Malt vinegar (a sour liquid used for flavor)
• Mushy peas (soft, mashed green peas)

The fish did live up to expectations, but concession-stand (snack stand) seafood is probably not the fairest way to judge the local food.

What Did I Actually Do on Day One?

There was not much golf watched on the first day. Most of the time was spent:

1. Finding the course
2. Exploring the property
3. Adjusting to a major championship that feels completely different from the other three

But that is part of what makes The Open special.

Important Point: The course, food, atmosphere, and overall culture surrounding the tournament are unlike anything found at an American major. Before the first competitive shot was even hit, Royal Birkdale had already shown why The Open is in a category of its own.

Summary

The British Open is the last and most unique major golf tournament of the year. From driving on the other side of the road to waiting in long queues for merch and enjoying fish and chips, my first day at Royal Birkdale was full of new experiences. Even without watching much golf, the different culture and feel of The Open proved why it stands apart from US tournaments.

FAQ

Q: What is the British Open?
A: It is the final major championship of the year in golf, and it is held in the UK. It feels very different from the other big tournaments.

Q: Where was the 154th Open held?
A: It was held at Royal Birkdale in Liverpool, England.

Q: Why were the lines at the merchandise shop surprising?
A: The queue to enter was as long as those at the Masters, and there was a second huge line inside just to check out.

Q: What is a "queue"?
A: It is the British word for a line of people waiting for something, like to buy tickets or merchandise.

Q: Did the author watch a lot of golf on the first day?
A: No, most of the day was spent finding the course, exploring, and getting used to the different experience.