British Open Championship Golf simulates the St. Andrews and Royal Troon golf courses in Scotland. Like most golf games of its time, it uses filmed and digitized shots for the courses and the behavior of a played ball. The control system uses the established 3-click system in which the player sets the target with the first click. The other two clicks are reaction tests that set the power and height of the shot. There are five game modes: Match, Hit, Best Ball, Practice and Tournament.
The game introduces three new features to the genre. First, it uses a large number of spectators and terraces to create a realistic golf atmosphere. This is supported by a commentator and multiple usable camera views at any time displayed in additional windows on the side of the screen. With the 'Shot Designer' the player can create and test shots by changing variables such as foot position. He can then save them for later use. The 'Caddie's Notebook' offers voice tips and additional information about each hole.
