The original course was formed as a nine hole course in 1890 on a strip of land called the Warren between the town of Burnham and the village of Berrow.

The development of this course to the championship course it is today continued over the next 30 years with many of the leading course designers of the period having an input into the course architecture. Herbert Fowler and Hugh Alison were members of Burnham and both had an important part to play in improving the links. So, to a lesser extent, did Harold Hilton and Dr Alistair Mackenzie; but the shape of today’s course is due mainly to Harry Colt.

The course is laid out in the traditional manner of nine holes out and nine back. The first nine skirt the sand dunes and coastline northwards, turning inland and southwards and then following the coast road through Berrow, past the Church and back into Burnham.

As with all links golf the challenging factor is the wind and its unpredictability, which means that the course can play differently almost every day. The greens are renowned as true and quick and the course is guaranteed to be in good condition all year. Excellent drainage due to the sandy subsoil ensures that the course is rarely if ever closed. The course demands that you use almost every club in the bag and the experience is memorable and always a challenge. This is why Burnham & Berrow is chosen so frequently as host for many championship tournaments.