Royal Birkdale - Best golf course with the worst looking clubhouse?

[Mark McKeever]

Obviously this is just one person's opinion.  As much as I want to get into the "ship concept" that they created, I just can't do it.  Are there any other really good golf courses that we can think of that have eyesore clubhouses like Royal Birkdale?



-MM

[Marty Bonnar]

Diametrically disagree.
I love it.


F.

[Carl Johnson]

Sorry, Mark   Although I've never seen the clubhouse in person, I think it looks kinda neat -- 1930s modern.  Definitely not a cookie cutter.  I wonder how the members like it, inside and out?

[Kalen Braley]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...only seen it in pics as well and looks like it needs a wrecking ball.  Very Fugly.  Very sad!

[David_Tepper]

I am in the "like" camp. I think the notion that a "proper" British clubhouse should only look like a Victorian pile built 100+ years ago is unfortunate.

https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=AwrT6VzZVW5ZH8kArwInnIlQ?p=royal+birkdale+clubhouse+photo&fr=yhs-mozilla-001&fr2=piv-web&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-001

I played Birkdale in 1985 and thought the look of the clubhouse walking up the 18th fairway was very cool. 

[Jim Hoak]

We have a hard enough time trying to agree on golf course architecture.  Why get into clubhouse architecture?  I like the Royal Birkdale clubhouse!

[Adam Lawrence]

It's beautiful. We have had this discussion before with respect to Castle Stuart. In the UK there is a very close association between art deco buildings and the seaside, and therefore it is totally appropriate that the clubhouse of a great links would be deco.


TBH I might even say I like the Birkdale clubhouse better than I like the golf course! (Or I might conclude that was a bit flip and stupid) 

[Ben Stephens]

Diametrically disagree.
I love it.


F.

The inside is great and it is like a Tardis


It gives panoramic views of the 18th


Shame there isnt many new clubhouses that are modern designed and reflect the times. Instead most are now patische like Sawgrass new clubhouse (I preferred the old pyramid one)

[Michael Whitaker]

I think the Birkdale clubhouse is outstanding! It does look a bit like an ocean liner docked off the dunes. What a fantastic vision when coming up the 18th. And, the interior is extremely special and welcoming.

[jeffwarne]

Amazing that we travel all over the world in search of variety in courses........
And expect every clubhouse to be a shingled copy iof Shinnecock...

[Ed Brzezowski]

And I was thinking RD??

[Thomas Dai]

Here's the history - http://royalbirkdale.com/club-history


The current clubhouse opened in 1935.


Seems like this may have been the previous version -





atb

[Jim Hoak]

And, isn't what's inside the clubhouse the most important thing?  On a trip to Birkdale a few years ago, we came inside after playing and found a group of members watching the final day of the Dunhill Cup.  They were probably the most gracious, welcoming people we found on our trip to the English Open courses.  Terrific!  I wonder if many American courses would be as warm and friendly to overseas golfers?

[Pete Lavallee]

Put me down for someone who also enjoyed the Clubhouse more than the course! I find the architecture very well executed within the art deco style. The clubhouse has a fantastic view of the 18th green and the lounge has great views due to the large windows one on top of the other. The members and staff are indeed very welcoming and the overall experience at Royal Birkdale is top notch indeed!

[Tom Allen]

I'll join the 'not a fan' club (just of the extrerior; I can't comment on the members, but they truly sound very nice).

Sure, it is beautiful.  However, to me it seems out of place on a storied, older course in a historical setting.  Give me something a little more traditional, that takes me back to the origins of golf.  To me, this looks like someone put a set of earbuds on the Mona Lisa.  Modern and stylish, yes, but the two simply don't mesh (to me).

Of course, I like broccoli, too, so that should tell you something about my tastes.

[JMEvensky]

Didn't Ballybunion retire the crown?

[Mike_Clayton]

The worst 'clubhouse' at a brilliant course had to be at Carnoustie - the one they had for the 1975 Open.

[Martin Lehmann]

The good thing about the clubhouse is that it is genuine art deco style. Not fake or artificial in any way. Which can't be said of the sugar cake clubhouses in eclectic retro style that can be found on so many new courses.

[Greg Gilson]

Couple of rippers already mentioned...Ballybunion & the old Carnoustie version. Some might say the new Carnoustie house is not much better.


I'll throw Royal Cinque Ports into the pack. Super course...but...

[Mark Pearce]

Diametrically disagree.
I love it.


F.

Entirely agree.  One of the best clubhouses on the rota, one of the most disappointing courses.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Agree that the old clubhouse at Carnoustie was dreadful, although the small clubs across the street were wonderful. I thought the clubhouse at Birkdale was an abomination until I saw it in person. It really looks pretty cool walking up 18 and inside it is pretty wonderful. It isn't the prototypical English clubhouse but it certainly distinctive.

[Matt MacIver]

I don't recall every walking inside somewhere when I played TOC -- I guess some folks can walk inside the R&A but not all.  Likewise I didn't think the New's clubhouse was anything special at all.  Carnoustie's was meh, as was Turnberry's down by the first tee - both very utilitarian.  Liked Tryon, Prestwick - and would think I'll love RB whenever I get there. 

[Ian Mackenzie]

To me, it looks like a small airport terminal in a "down-market" town.
But, hey, if the members like it, then who am I to say differently?


I think the clubhouse at NGLA is an eye-sore, too. Does not fit on the landscape.

[Scott Warren]

I'll throw Royal Cinque Ports into the pack. Super course...but...

Even better clubhouse?

[Kyle Harris]

Mark McKeever,

Would you accept, for free, a needlepoint Smathers & Branson belt depicting the Royal Birkdale clubhouse?

If not, how much would I have to pay you to wear it?