NORTH WEST
ENGLAND

England is home to four Open venues and three of them are to be found within this one region. The North West of England is home to the Royal triumvirate of Birkdale, Liverpool and Lytham, as well as several other fantastic golf courses. It’s about a 3 hour drive from Heathrow but you might choose to fly into Manchester airport, which is nearby, instead.

There are plenty of off course activities in the area to keep you occupied. Whether you want to take in a Beatles tour in Liverpool or a soccer match in Manchester we can help you pass the time when you’re not playing on the world’s best links courses.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

The quality of links golf in the north-west of England is very high. The pick of the lot is probably Royal Birkdale (ranked 42 in the world). It’s hosted the Open 10 times and the pros love the test they find there. It is renowned as one of the ‘fairest’ courses on the rota. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have both won at Royal Liverpool (ranked 79 in the world) which tells you a lot about how good the test is. Before playing, it’s worth watching videos of their victories there to pick up some tips for your round! Royal Lytham (67 in the world) is seen as second only to Carnoustie in terms of difficulty of Open courses. Staying out of the 174 bunkers will be a good start!

The Southport area, near Birkdale, has a plethora of other great courses - Formby, West Lancs, Hillside and Southport & Ainsdale all deserve to be on your itinerary. Liverpool may not have quite the same depth, but Wallasey is definitely worth seeing. There is more than enough great golf here to make up a week’s trip.

  • Royal Birkdale

    Royal Birkdale

    GOLF MAGAZINE WORLD RANKING - 42
    OUTPOST CLUB WORLD RANKING - 35
    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 14

    The most prominent features at Birkdale are the towering dunes that the line the fairways, the crosswinds which will wreak havoc on all but the most expertly struck tee shots, and the wonderfully beguiling greens with their subtle contours and gentle breaks. Birkdale is widely cited as one of the “fairer” courses on the Open Rota because, once your ball hits the fairway, it is rarely directed offline or into a hidden bunker by some hump or bump – a bonus for us amateurs as well.

  • Royal Lytham

    Royal Lytham

    GOLF MAGAZINE WORLD RANKING - 67
    TOP100.COM WORLD RANKING - 65
    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 18

    Royal Lytham has a storied past in the professional game, with multiple Opens and Ryder Cups held over this classic links. The course is a testing one - 174 bunkers and some tight fairways ensure that. The opening par 3 is enough to test the nerve of even the most proficient golfer! Make sure you spend some time exploring the historic clubhouse and a stay at the dormy house is one of golf’s unique experiences!

  • Royal Liverpool

    Royal Liverpool

    GOLF MAGAZINE WORLD RANKING - 79
    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 27
    GOLF WORLD MAGAZINE GB & I - RANKING - 27

    After several years out of the limelight, Royal Liverpool (or Hoylake as it is known) burst back onto the scene when Tiger Woods won the Open there in 2006. Rory McIlroy followed him to the Claret Jug here in 2014. The ground is relatively flat and it is a testament to the routing that this course is so well received by all. Recent changes have ensured the course will continue to test the world’s very best. And you!

  • Formby

    Formby

    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 52

    While most of the golf in the area is pure links, Formby offers something a little different - a kind of links/heathland hybrid. Established pine trees frame several holes and the ground has a little more give than you will find on the more traditional links courses. It’s a really good test of golf and would be at the top of the ‘non-Open’ courses to add to a trip to the area.

  • Hillside

    Hillside

    GOLF WORLD (UK) IRELAND RANKING - 66

    Just next door to Royal Birkdale you’ll find Hillside. The whole course is well regarded but the back nine is famed as one of the very best in the country. The dunes frame the holes beautifully and this is really exhilarating golf. Yet another ‘must-play’ in the area!

  • West Lancs

    West Lancs

    GOLF WORLD (UK) IRELAND RANKING - 67

    There is something pretty special about the club and course at West Lancs. It’s an old-fashioned, high quality links test. The green complexes are a joy to explore and the conditioning is fantastic. It’s no pushover, especially if you are too adventurous from the tee, but you can score here.

WHERE TO STAY

You could choose to base yourself in the Southport area for at least a few days given how many courses are around there and the Vincent Hotel is the pick of the bunch. Liverpool has a lot more options for good hotels and, if you are taking in a football match, you should consider a night at Manchester’s Hotel Football right next to the Manchester United stadium!

  • vincent hotel

    The Vincent Hotel

    The Vincent Hotel is in the perfect location for many of the area’s best golf courses. This boutique hotel is also close to the restaurants and pubs of Southport.

  • hope street

    Hope Street

    Hope Street Hotel is one of Liverpool’s best hotels. Situated in the middle of the Georgian quarter, you will be in the perfect spot to enjoy this vibrant city.

  • Hotel Football

    Hotel Football

    If you are combining a football game with your golf trip then Hotel Football is a perfect stop - right next to Manchester United’s stadium.

 SAMPLE ITINERARY

DAY 1

We will meet you at Manchester airport and transfer you to your hire car or private vehicle with driver.

Your first round will be at West Lancs, less than an hour’s drive from the airport. West Lancs is a fun course - it’s over classic links land and is a great first round off the plane. Best to save the Open rota courses until you’ve had time to get over the jetlag!

After the round, make the short drive to Southport - about 30 minutes away - to the Vincent Hotel where you will be staying for the next few nights.

Picture - www.westlancashiregolf.co.uk

DAY 2

After yesterday’s warm up, it’s down to the serious stuff today with a round at Royal Birkdale. Home to 10 Open Championships, this is one of England’s very best courses.

Picture - www.royalbirkdale.com

After the round take some time to explore the town of Southport - there’s plenty of pubs and restaurants to choose from for an evening’s entertainment!

DAY 3

Today you make the short journey to Hillside. You may not have heard much about Hillside before playing it, but you’ll certainly remember it afterwards! The back 9 is one of the very best.

www.hillside-golfclub.co.uk

In the area, there are lots of football teams (that’s soccer to Americans!), so, if you fancy attending a match, we can help get you tickets for a game.

DAY 4

It’s another Open rota course today. Royal Lytham has hosted the Open on no fewer than eleven occasions. Make sure you arrive early to explore the clubhouse - a treasure trove of memorabilia. Then steel yourself to take on one of the sternest tests in golf!

DAY 5

Today will be your last day in the Southport area. Formby is a lovely mix of links and heathland which will give you a slightly different experience from the other courses in the area.

Picture - www.formbygolfclub.co.uk

After the round, head south to Liverpool, just over half an hour’s drive away. Liverpool is a vibrant city with plenty of distractions to keep you entertained of an evening. You will stay at the Hope Street Hotel - one of the finest hotels in the city.

DAY 6

This morning we can organise a tour of Liverpool for you to get to know the city. You can explore the home of The Beatles and Liverpool football club with a knowledgeable local guide.

In the afternoon, head across the Mersey to Wallasey Golf Club. Wallasey is a renowned links course, set in sizeable dunes. The course is said to be the home of Stableford - it’s quite a stern test in places so that would make sense!!

DAY 7

The final round - and the final Open course. Royal Liverpool has seen some fantastic Open Championships and is another course with a fabled history. A fitting climax to this very special trip.

After the round, how about a night in The Cavern in Liverpool, made famous by the Beatles, to enjoy some great music and compare notes on the courses you have played?

DAY 8

After breakfast transfer to the airport to fly home.

This is just a sample of one English itinerary. Please contact us now to start planning your trip of a lifetime!

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