Accuracy is the key at Royal Birkdale

Hole 1 448 yards, par 4

Avoiding the out-of-bounds on the right will be crucial and many players may need a hefty second shot having elected to take a fairway wood or iron off the tee. Clearing the bunkers at the front of the green will then be key.

Hole2 422 yards, par 4

The drive is likely to be into the teeth of the prevailing wind. Sand protects the green at the front but aiming for the back of the putting surface will mean a tricky putt back down the hill.

Hole 3 451 yards, par 4

Players head back in the opposite direction and it is desirable to find the left side of the fairway for an easier approach. A hefty drive to the right can find sand and strong winds can mean finding the green is difficult.

Hole 4 199 yards, par 3

Shots are played from an elevated tee and the green falls away from both sides. The putting surface is protected by a ring of bunkers to the left and right at the front.

Hole 5 346 yards, par 4

A dogleg to the right may see aggressive players attempt to cut the corner. However, that brings deep rough and a small pond into play, so it may be safer to hit an iron to the corner and then approach with a wedge. Seven bunkers guard the green.

Hole 6 499 yards, par 4

The left-to-right hole has been the hardest hole on the last two occasions the Open has been held at Birkdale. There are fairway bunkers either side and players face a second shot of about 22 yards from the corner of the dogleg. The green sits above the fairway and slopes from left to right.

Hole 7 177 yards, par 3

An accurate shot is required from the elevated tee to the green that is protected by sand on all sides. Management of the windy conditions will be crucial.

Hole 8 458 yards, par 4

Four fairway bunkers will have to be avoided from the tee on this hole that doglegs to the left and three others lie in wait around the green. The putting surface slopes from back to front, which will be a major consideration for approach shots.

Hole 9 416 yards, par 4

Players will aim to find a narrow fairway from a blind tee shot. There are no fairway bunkers but two deep ones guard the left and right of the green. A mounding area on the right is likely to put off many off from cutting the corner.

Hole 10 402 yards, par 4

A drive of 270 yards would take the first three bunkers but two other lie in wait for big hitters on this dogleg. Scoring par then becomes a real problem. The hole then turns sharply to the left to the green.

Hole 11 436 yards, par 4

Play is likely to head back into the wind and drives will have to be accurate to avoid four bunkers. There is a ditch on the right that can pick up errant drives, but a new teeing area could come into play if winds are strong.

Hole 12 183 yards, par 3

A marquee hole with deep bunkers and banks of rough protecting a narrow green, which will be tough to hit as players are likely to have to overcome a right-to-left cross wind.

Hole 13 499 yards, par 4

This hole used to be a par five and once the eight fairway bunkers are avoided the key will be to avoid the deep rough at the back of the green. Finding the fairway off the tee will be crucial as it should ease the task considerably.

Hole 14 200 yards, par 3

The green is protected by a sand hill so it will be difficult to gauge wind speed and direction. Five greenside bunkers have to be avoided and thick grass protects the green to the left, right and rear.

Hole 15 542 yards, par 5

There are 13 fairway bunkers on the first of the two par-fives. However, there is little respite as just one eagle was carded in 2008 and it played just over its par. The chances of reaching the green in two will probably be dictated by the strength and direction of the wind. The green is tiered so that presents its own issues.

Hole 16 438 yards, par 4

A long carry will be needed to get over the rough from the tee, but the narrow fairway is guided by two bunkers. An accurate second will be required to find the elevated green that is protected by five deep bunkers.

Hole 17 567 yards, par 5

The drive needs to avoid sand dunes on either side of the fairway and big hitters could find one of two bunkers on the right. There are three bunkers protecting a narrow, contoured green. It generally plays downwind and is a good birdie opportunity.

Hole 18 473 yards, par 4

A similar hole to the first with out-of-bounds on the right. Bunkers on the left and right can trap the big hitters. The closing green is surrounded by three bunkers.