Hillside Golf Club

North West England

Hillside Golf Club, located in Southport, is one of England’s finest links courses, renowned for its stunning natural beauty and challenging layout.

Situated in the heart of England’s Golf Coast, it shares the same stretch of sand dunes as neighbouring Royal Birkdale, offering a world-class golfing experience.

The course is divided into two distinct halves. The front nine holes traverse flatter terrain adjacent to the railway line, offering a gentle introduction to the round. In contrast, the back nine wind through some of the highest and wildest dunes found anywhere, providing a dramatic and memorable golfing experience. 

Greg Norman praised the back nine, describing them as “the best in Britain,” a sentiment echoed by Jack Nicklaus, who highlighted them as among his favorites. In the 1960s, the course underwent significant redesigns led by Fred Hawtree, resulting in a layout that blends traditional elements with modern enhancements.

Hillside has hosted several prestigious tournaments, including The Amateur Championship in 1979 and 2011, and qualifying rounds for The Open Championship.  In 2022, it was selected to host the DP World Tour’s Cazoo Classic, further cementing its status in the professional golfing world. ​

Course info

Other Golf Courses in North West England

Formby Golf Club

Formby Golf Club, founded in 1884, is one of England's most respected and historic golf courses, offering a unique golfing experience on the Merseyside coast. The course combines classic links golf with inland sections, providing a variety of challenges across its 18 holes. It’s renowned for its stunning layout, set amidst mature sand dunes and heathland.

Hillside Golf Club

Hillside Golf Club is one of England’s finest links courses, renowned for its stunning natural beauty and challenging layout. Situated in the heart of England’s Golf Coast, it shares the same stretch of sand dunes as neighbouring Royal Birkdale, offering a world-class golfing experience, with the course divided into two distinct halves.

Royal Birkdale Golf Club

Royal Birkdale Golf Club is one of the most iconic and prestigious links courses in the world. Founded in 1889, the club has a rich history of hosting The Open Championship, with its next edition scheduled for 2026. The course is celebrated for its classic links layout, offering a challenging test for golfers of all levels.

Royal Liverpool Golf Club

Royal Liverpool Golf Club, located in Hoylake, is one of the most historic and prestigious golf courses in the world. Founded in 1869, it has hosted numerous Open Championships, with Hoylake's layout characterised by its relatively flat terrain (for a links course), with holes near the coast weaving through sandhills.

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, established in 1886, is one of the most respected links courses in the world. This historic venue has hosted multiple Open Championships, as well as Ryder Cups and top amateur events, and unlike traditional seaside links, is uniquely set among red-brick houses and dunes.

Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club

Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club, established in 1906, is one of the oldest and most respected golf clubs in the Merseyside region. The club’s rich history is marked by notable events, including hosting the 1933 Ryder Cup, and boasts a unique position among the links courses of the area, with its natural dunes.

Wallasey Golf Club

Wallasey Golf Club, established in 1891, is a distinguished links course designed by Old Tom Morris and is renowned as the birthplace of the Stableford scoring system. the course has evolved over the years, with significant contributions from notable figures such as James Braid and Harold Hilton, enhancing its strategic layout. ​

West Lancashire Golf Club

Founded in 1873, West Lancashire Golf Club is the oldest in Lancashire and the ninth oldest in England. The club has hosted Final Qualifying for The Open Championship multiple times and co-hosted The Amateur Championship in 2009. Known for its natural dunes, challenging bunkers, and sea breezes, it offers a true test of links golf.

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