Peter Smith of "Computer Games Magazine" found the game's swinging mechanics challenging, and noted that "making a dead-on accurate shot much more difficult than in any of the other golf games out there." He found the mechanics of the putting green to be badly designed, which he cited as "an incredibly serious flaw that takes "British Open Championship Golf" out of contention for the gold cup." Ultimately, he recommended "Links LS" and "Jack Nicklaus 4" over the game, but suggested that future installments or patches might fix the issues. "Computer Gaming World"s Scott A. May wrote that "the game is solid, but ... somewhat unspectacular" compared to "Jack Nicklaus 4" and "Links LS". He stated that the links courses gave the game "a somewhat desolate look and feel", and that, "Historic or not, the scenery is downright dull". The reviewer considered Jim McKay's commentary and the simulated physics to be the game's high points, and he believed that, "More so than any other golf sim, the reactive crowd and interactive caddie are ... totally integrated into play." He summarized the game as "a very good simulation" that was somewhat deflated by its lack of multiplayer, course editing and match replays.