The Open at Royal Portrush 2025 — A Day on the Course
Royal Portrush sits on the north Antrim coast, on a strip of links land between the town and the Atlantic Ocean. On a clear day the Scottish coast is visible across the water. On a grey morning in July — which is most mornings in July — the clouds sit low over the Skerries headland and the rough moves in the wind like something alive.
We stayed at the official Open camping and were on the course before 8am. By the time the sun had broken through the clouds, we'd walked half the course and seen more golf than most people see in a season.
Here's what the day looked like.
The Camping
The campsite is part of the official Open ticketing — you buy it alongside your ground passes. Tents come pre-pitched with a mat included, so there's no setup on arrival. The minimum stay is two nights; we went Thursday to Saturday morning, which worked well. Pricing starts from around £60 per adult per night — and under-25s stayed free, which makes this an exceptional option for younger groups travelling together.
If you're driving, bring sleeping bags and whatever else you need for comfort. The tents are fine; the mat is there, but that's about it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Bring a four-wheeled trolley. You'll have more to carry than you expect — across the site and back.
- Bring camping chairs. Chairs and tables in the communal tents and bar area run short, especially when it rains.
- Showers: hot water was plentiful in the morning. Bring a washbasin you can hang off things — it makes the routine easier.
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Food comes from on-site food trucks with a decent selection. Tacos were a highlight!
- Bus transfers to and from the course are included in the package.
If you're going with a small family, the glamping option is worth considering — more comfort, still on-site.
Getting There
When you get close to the venue, ignore Google Maps. Follow the event signage instead — there are a lot of diversions in place and the postcode will lead you wrong.
Getting In Early
Arriving early at The Open is one of the best decisions you can make. The crowds build through the morning, and the course feels different at 7:30am — quieter, more personal. You can stand close to the practice range and watch players warm up a few feet away. No commentary. No crowd noise. Just golf.
Portrush's layout means the early holes sit close to the coastline, and in the morning light the course is genuinely beautiful — rough grass, dark sky, the sea beyond. It doesn't look like a manicured inland parkland. It looks like a place where the game was invented.
The Course
Royal Portrush is a proper test. The holes along the cliff edge — the stretch around the 5th and 6th — offer views out to the Atlantic and back towards the town. The wind at those holes can come from any direction, and watching tour players factor in gusts that change mid-swing is a reminder that this version of the game requires a different kind of skill.
The crowd follows the marquee groups but the course rewards walking ahead. Find a hole you like, stake your position, and let the field come to you. Some of the best golf we watched was from a spot on a dune where four or five groups played through in succession, each handling the hole differently.
The Atmosphere
Portrush as a venue has something extra. This was only the second time The Open had been held there — the first was in 1951, and when it returned in 2019 there were scenes of genuine emotion. By 2025 the welcome was still warm and particular. Irish and Northern Irish golf fans turn out in force, and the galleries are knowledgeable. Applause here is earned.
The town of Portrush itself is small and entirely absorbed into the event for the week. Everywhere you go, golf is the only conversation.
What We'd Do Differently
- Get to the first tee earlier. We arrived just after the first groups went off and missed the best of it.
- Walk the back nine first. The front nine draws bigger crowds; the back is quieter and the holes along the coast are worth having space to enjoy.
- Bring more layers. Even in July, Portrush in the morning is cold.
Is It Worth the Trip?
Yes. Unreservedly.
If you're considering attending The Open and Portrush is on the schedule, go. The combination of course, coastline, and atmosphere is unlike anything else in golf. We were back the following year.
Low Chaser Golf makes grips and headcovers for players who love the game. We'll be at Royal Birkdale in July 2026.