How to Play The British Open on a Golf Simulator

No need to travel to England! Play the 2026 Open host course on a golf simulator at home. With GSPro or Trackman golf simulator software, you can play Royal Birkdale or Royal Birkdale-inspired courses from your own simulator.

Did you know The Open Championship, sometimes called the "British Open" or just "The Open," has been played for more than 150 years? Safe to say, golf back then looked nothing like it does today, especially the way Carl’s Place does golf.

From July 16-19, 2026, the best players in the world will battle the links of Royal Birkdale Golf Club for the Claret Jug. Most of us will never get to tee it up there in real life, but with a golf simulator, you can play a virtual version of the course and experience the rolling fairways, deep bunkers and imagined seaside wind.

And let’s be honest, winning The Open in your basement and celebrating with a drink from your own "Claret Jug" sounds like a championship moment worth toasting.

Play The Open on a Golf Simulator

Experience the thrill and challenges of playing a major championship course, even if you can't make it to Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England.

Depending on your simulator setup, you can search for Royal Birkdale or Royal Birkdale-inspired courses in golf simulator software like GSPro and Trackman.

By the way: if you're looking for your favorite golf course on a simulator and can't find it, look no further than Carl's Virtual Golf Course Design Service. With Carl's team's expertise and experience, you can bring your preferred course to life and play it on your own simulator.

How Can I Play Royal Birkdale on My Golf Simulator?

How to Find Royal Birkdale on Trackman

• Create a match or go to practice > on-course practice.
• Search for Royal Birkdale.

How to Find Royal Birkdale on GSPro

• Choose local match or practice > on course practice.
• Search all courses, not just downloaded courses, for Royal Birkdale or Royal Birkdale-inspired options.
• Download the course if necessary.

So, are you up for the challenge of taking on the pros at Royal Birkdale? Download the course, play a round and let us know how you do in the comments below. Who knows, you may just surprise yourself with your virtual golf skills!

Royal Birkdale Club Information

• Location: Southport, Merseyside, England
• Founded: 1889
• Course Style: Classic links course with fairways winding through sand dunes, deep bunkers and coastal wind that can make or break a round.
• Open Championship History: Royal Birkdale first hosted The Open in 1954 and will host for the 11th time in 2026.
• Recent Open Setup: The 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale played as a par 70 at 7,156 yards. The final 2026 championship setup may vary.
• Notable Champion: Jordan Spieth won The Open at Royal Birkdale in 2017.

Royal Birkdale Holes to Know

• Hole 4: A long par 3 that plays from an elevated tee to a green below.
• Hole 5: A redesigned short par 4 that can tempt players into taking on risk.
• Hole 15: A new long par 3 that could create big moments late in the round.
• Hole 18: A demanding closing par 4 that finishes in the shadow of Royal Birkdale’s iconic art deco clubhouse.

A true test of links golf, Royal Birkdale is one of the most recognized courses in The Open rota and should make for a fitting challenge, whether you’re watching the pros or playing a virtual round at home.

Did you know? You can also play other major tournaments at home, such as The Masters, PGA Championship and U.S. Open!