If you’re new to golf, there’s no better event to watch and learn from than The Open Championship. As one of the four major championships in professional golf, The Open (often called “The British Open” in the U.S.) is filled with tradition, drama, and lessons for players of all levels—especially beginners.
What makes The Open 2025 even more exciting? It’s heading back to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, one of the most iconic and challenging links courses in the world. And while the pros will be chasing history and trophies, you can take away just as much by simply paying attention to how the game is played at this level.
A Brief History of The 2025 Open Championship
The Open Championship is the oldest major tournament in golf, dating all the way back to 1860. Held annually in the United Kingdom, The Open rotates between a select group of legendary “links” courses—seaside layouts known for deep “pot” bunkers, rolling fairways, constant wind, and unpredictable weather.
Unlike most majors, The Open is designed to test every part of a player’s game—especially their mental toughness. Wind, rain, cold temperatures, and firm turf create a rugged playing experience where scores are often higher, and even par can be a great number.
So why is it so different from tournaments in the United States? Because it’s played on links golf courses, which are a throwback to the game’s origins.
Links courses are typically built on natural coastal terrain with little tree cover, firm fairways, and fast-running greens. Instead of flying the ball through the air like in American golf, players often use creative ground game shots, such as low bump-and-runs or long lag putts from off the green.
This means you can take away a lot of knowledge on watching how these pros handle course management and risk assessment. They’re not just relying on distance and power—but skill, precision and planning.
Historic Open Championship Moments
Over the years, The Open has delivered unforgettable moments:
- Tiger Woods’ historic win at St. Andrews in 2000, where he dominated the field by eight shots. This was when Tiger demonstrated his signature “stinger” shot to find fairways and leave his driver in the bag on most holes, and it was part of his “Tiger Slam” (holding all four major titles at once).
- Jean van de Velde’s memorable collapse at Carnoustie in 1999, where he lost a three-shot lead on the final hole. Even rewatching this on YouTube is painful!
- Shane Lowry’s emotional victory at Royal Portrush in 2019, the last time the event was held in Northern Ireland. This marked his first and only major championship, which happened in his home country.
That 2019 tournament was historic—it marked the first Open at Royal Portrush in 68 years and was seen as a triumphant return to one of golf’s hidden gems. The 2025 edition is expected to build on that legacy, bringing back the drama and challenge that only a true links course can provide.
Understanding Common Golf Terms and Links Golf
If you’re just getting into golf, here are a few key terms you’ll hear often during The Open:
- Par: The expected number of strokes it should take to complete a hole. If a hole is a “par 4,” the goal is to finish in four shots.
- Birdie: Finishing a hole one stroke under par.
- Bogey: One shot over par. It’s a small mistake, but in links golf, it can happen fast and will happen to every player.
- Double Bogey: Two shots over par. Usually the result of a lost ball, a penalty, or getting stuck in a pot bunker and having to escape backwards or sideways.
- Strokes Gained: A modern stat that compares a player’s performance on a specific shot to the rest of the field, showing where they gain or lose strokes.
- Lag Putt: A long-distance putt—often 30 to 60 feet—where the goal is to get the ball close enough for an easy second putt. At The Open, these are especially common due to the massive, flat greens and slower green speeds, often leading to more three-putts than usual. Learn seven proven putting tips here.
- Bump and Run: A low-trajectory shot played with a short iron (like a 7- or 8-iron) instead of a wedge. It’s designed to get the ball rolling quickly along the ground—much like a putt—making it ideal for links golf where firm turf and tight lies make traditional wedge shots tricky.
- Up-and-Down: Saving par after missing the green. It’s one of the most important short game skills you’ll see pros use on almost every hole. Watch the video below to master the tricky 30-50 yard shots.
- Internal Out-of-Bounds: Areas within the golf course boundary where a ball is considered out of play—unusual but a major factor at Royal Portrush.
For a full glossary of 50 golf terms you should keep top of mind, click here.
What Beginners Can Learn by Watching The Open
If you’re new to the game, watching The Open isn’t just entertainment—it’s education. You’ll see how the world’s best players manage tough lies, adjust to weather, and recover from mistakes.
For example, when a player makes a bogey, they don’t panic or spiral into frustration. They reset, refocus, and commit to their next shot. That kind of mental discipline is something every golfer—beginner or pro—can learn from.
You’ll also notice how pros:
- Stick to a routine before every shot (something you can adopt immediately)
- Make smart decisions, often aiming away from flags to avoid big numbers
- Respect the course and conditions instead of forcing perfect shots
- Respect the course and conditions instead of forcing perfect shots
You’ll also gain a better understanding of:
- Pacing: How to slow down and stay in rhythm when things get hectic.
- Course management: Choosing the smart play instead of the risky hero shot that might lead them to miss the cut or lose out on big money.
- Body language: How top players carry themselves even when things go wrong.
Watching majors like The Open also shows you that great golf isn’t about hitting perfect shots. Instead, it’s about managing your mistakes, staying patient, and bouncing back.
So the next time you’re struggling to save bogey on your local muni course, remember: even the best players in the world take bogeys, too. What really matters is your reaction, and the resilience of your mental game.
The Open Tournament Takeaways
The Open Championship is truly a masterclass in how to think, play, and compete like a pro. And whether you’re picking up clubs for the first time or trying to break 90, watching The Open is one of the best ways to learn.
Here’s how to get the most out of it:
- Watch a full round, or at least the back nine on Sunday.
- Keep a notebook nearby and jot down things you can add to your game (like sticking to routines, putting from the fringe, having smooth tempo, etc).
- Ask yourself, “How did that player handle pressure?” or “What would I have done there?”
- Try to apply at least one strategy or mindset tip in your next round.
Even if you’ve never teed it up at a links course, there’s something magical about The Open. It shows us how the game started hundreds of years ago while top players battle the elements.
It’s a fantastic reminder that golf is a game of patience, adaptation, and grit. And by watching the best in the world compete at Royal Portrush, you’ll not only expand your golf vocabulary—you’ll start playing with a smarter, more confident approach.
