Best courses on England's Golf Coast

England’s Golf Coast, a renowned stretch of coastline running from around Blackpool down to Southport and the outskirts of Liverpool, is home to one of the finest collections of links golf in the world. Here, championship venues and historic clubs sit side by side along this windswept shoreline, offering a truly authentic links experience shaped by natural dunes, coastal winds, and rich golf heritage.

We are often asked by our customers, what are the best golf courses on England’s Golf Coast? To make your search easier, we’ve put together a round-up of the standout courses in the region, perfect for planning your next unforgettable golf trip.

Ranked as the 8th best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Southport | Designer: George Low Sr., Fred Hawtree & J.H. Taylor (redesign) | Par: 70 | Length: 7,156 yards | Founded: 1889 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Set amidst the towering dunes of England’s north-west coast, Royal Birkdale is widely considered the most fair yet formidable of The Open rota venues. The course’s natural valleys frame each hole beautifully while offering clear sightlines, which makes it a favourite among players and spectators alike.

With a reputation for rewarding solid ball-striking and punishing wayward play, Birkdale is a true test of golfing class, particularly when the wind picks up off the Irish Sea.

Highlight: The par-4 13th, often played into a prevailing breeze, is a classic links examination, tight off the tee, with a demanding approach to a narrow green flanked by bunkers.

Key features:

• Host of 10 Open Championships and two Ryder Cups
• Fair but stern test, famed for its natural dune-sheltered routing
• Immaculately maintained with fast, firm fairways and true greens
• Modernist clubhouse offers panoramic views over the final holes

Bonus fact: In 2008, a 53-year-old Greg Norman led The Open after three rounds at Birkdale, nearly pulling off one of the most remarkable major victories in golf history, ultimately finishing third behind Padraig Harrington. Royal Birkdale will once again be on the big stage when hosting The 154th Open in 2026.

Ranked as the 6th best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Lancashire | Designer: George Lowe, Harry Colt (1919 redesign) | Par: 70 | Length: 6,731 yards | Founded: 1886

Why play here? With a storied history and a layout that has tested the greatest names in golf, Royal Lytham & St Annes is a quintessential championship links. Set against the backdrop of a classic red-brick clubhouse and bordered by the local railway line, this course demands precision, especially from the tee.

Known for its strategic bunkering, over 170 in total, this is a true shotmaker’s course. When The Open visits, it’s often said that the course itself is the toughest competitor.

Highlight: The finishing stretch, especially the demanding par-4 18th, is a masterclass in shot execution under pressure, just ask champions like Seve Ballesteros, who famously won here twice.

Key features:

• Host of 11 Open Championships, 2 Ryder Cups, and numerous elite events
• Over 170 bunkers, many deep and punishing, define strategy and demand precision
• Historic Victorian clubhouse offers a timeless setting
• Challenging yet fair layout ideal for traditionalists and purists

Bonus fact: In 1979, Seve Ballesteros won The Open at Royal Lytham with his unforgettable recovery shot from the car park, securing his legend and forever linking his name with this great course.

Ranked as the 16th best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Liverpool | Designer: George Morris & Robert Chambers, with revisions by Harry Colt and Donald Steel | Par: 72 | Length: 7,383 yards | Founded: 1869 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Royal Liverpool, known affectionately as Hoylake, is one of the most historic and prestigious venues in British golf. A true championship links it is fast-running, strategic, and exposed, making it a stern test in even the lightest breeze.

Despite its relatively flat topography, Hoylake’s challenge lies in its subtlety: firm fairways, penal bunkering, and out-of-bounds that loom ominously on multiple holes. It rewards clear thinking, precision, and courage, exactly why it has crowned so many worthy champions.

Highlight: The new par-3 17th, Little Eye, added ahead of the 2023 Open Championship, is a breathtaking short hole perched along the Dee Estuary, just 136 yards, but utterly exposed and capable of wrecking scorecards.

Key features:

• Host of 13 Open Championships and two Amateur Championships
• Fast, firm links with sharp bunkering and strategic demand
• Rich tournament history, including wins by Tiger Woods (2006) and Rory McIlroy (2014)
• Excellent practice facilities and a proud, tradition-laden clubhouse

Bonus fact: In 2006, Tiger Woods famously used his driver just once across four rounds, masterfully navigating the baked-out links with surgical precision en route to a two-shot victory.

Ranked as the 22nd best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Southport | Designer: Willie Park Jr. (with later work by James Braid & Harry Colt) | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,028 yards | Founded: 1884

Why play here? Formby Golf Club is one of the most distinctive and atmospheric courses in the UK, blending classic links with elements of inland and woodland golf.

Set amidst towering pines and rugged sand dunes along England’s northwest coast, Formby is a unique test that demands creativity, precision, and control. The course has hosted countless elite amateur events and remains a revered stop for purists of the game.

Highlight: Formby has been a frequent host of The Amateur Championship and the prestigious Curtis Cup, showcasing its ability to challenge the very best while maintaining its natural beauty and traditional charm.

Key features:

• Unique combination of links and parkland characteristics
• Routed through dunes, pine forest, and heathland
• Excellent year-round conditioning and shot variety
• Historic clubhouse with rich golfing heritage and atmosphere

Bonus fact: Nestled within the grounds of Formby Golf Club is Formby Ladies Golf Club, one of the oldest ladies' golf clubs in the world, and the two clubs share a rare and historic connection in British golf.

Ranked the 5th best golf course in North West England in 2025 Location: Southport | Designer: Fred Hawtree, Donald Steel & Jonathan Tucker | Par: 72 | Length: 7,029 yards | Founded: 1923 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Hillside is often regarded as one of the finest links courses in the country, despite historically sitting in the shadow of neighbouring Royal Birkdale. In recent years, it has rightly earned its place in the spotlight, thanks to a series of high-profile tournaments and thoughtful improvements to the opening stretch.

The real magic of Hillside lies in its back nine, widely considered one of the best stretches of links golf in England. Towering dunes, natural valleys and beautifully framed holes create a memorable and varied test. Challenging yet hugely enjoyable, Hillside offers championship-quality golf with a slightly more relaxed and accessible feel than some of its more famous neighbours.

Highlight: The par-4 11th is a true showstopper, playing from an elevated tee through a valley of dunes, demanding both accuracy and control to find a well-guarded green.

Key features:

• Host of major amateur events and European Tour qualifying
• Outstanding back nine, considered among the best in England
• Classic links terrain with dramatic dunes and natural shaping
• High-quality conditioning with a strong and growing reputation

Bonus fact: Hillside has grown significantly in stature in recent years, and while it once flew under the radar next to Royal Birkdale, it’s now firmly established as a must-play course on England’s Golf Coast.

Ranked the 9th best golf course in North West England in 2025 Location: Southport | Designer: James Braid, Donald Steel, Tom MacKenzie, Martin Ebert, Cameron Sinclair & Marc Westenborg | Par: 72 | Length: 6,848 yards | Founded: 1925 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Set alongside two of England’s most famous links (Birkdale & Hillside), Southport & Ainsdale holds its own as a fantastic and slightly more understated option on England’s Golf Coast. Often referred to as S&A, the course offers a unique blend of links and heathland characteristics, giving it a different feel to its neighbouring layouts.

There’s a touch more quirk and variety here, with holes routed through a mix of dunes, pine trees and open fairways. When the wind blows in from the Irish Sea, it becomes a proper test, demanding creativity and control throughout the round.

Highlight: The par-5 9th is a standout hole, winding its way through dunes and pines, offering a great risk-and-reward opportunity depending on the conditions.

Key features:

• Host of two Ryder Cups and a regular Open Qualifying venue
• Unique blend of links and heathland-style holes
• Challenging in the wind with excellent variety throughout
• Ideal location for multi-course trips along England’s Golf Coast

Bonus fact: Southport & Ainsdale, Hillside and Royal Birkdale are all located within walking distance of each other, making it possible to enjoy three world-class courses in one trip without needing a car.

Ranked the 7th best golf course in North West England in 2025 Location: Liverpool | Designer: James Braid, C.K. Cotton, Donald Steel, Tom MacKenzie & Martin Ebert | Par: 72 | Length: 7,016 yards | Founded: 1873 | Course type: Links

Why play here? As one of the oldest golf clubs in England, West Lancashire offers a pure and traditional links experience on the country’s north-west coast. There’s a timeless feel to the course, where the layout is shaped more by the natural landscape and the day’s conditions than by any modern design tricks.

Relatively flat and open, the course may appear straightforward at first glance, but it’s anything but easy. When the coastal breeze picks up, it becomes a true test of control and shot-making, rewarding those who can adapt and keep the ball flight under control.

West Lancashire is links golf in its simplest and most authentic form. No gimmicks, no distractions, just you, the elements and a classic layout that has stood the test of time.

Highlight: The par-4 12th is a standout, playing along the railway line with out of bounds lurking, demanding accuracy from the tee and a precise approach to a well-guarded green.

Key features:

• One of the oldest golf clubs in England, founded in 1873
• Pure, traditional links layout with minimal elevation change
• Heavily influenced by coastal winds, offering a different test each day
• Regular host of high-level amateur events and Open Qualifying

Bonus fact: In the early days of the club, golfers would take on West Lancashire dressed in formal attire using hickory clubs, a far cry from the modern game, but a reminder of the course’s deep-rooted history.

Location: Southport | Designer: James Braid, C.K. Cotton & Donald Steel | Par: 72 | Length: 6,800 yards (approx.) | Founded: 1885 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Hesketh Golf Club is a traditional links that offers a slightly different feel to many of its neighbours on England’s Golf Coast. Set on flatter terrain, the course relies less on dramatic dunes and more on subtle shaping, natural hazards and ever-present coastal winds to provide its challenge.

It’s a thinking golfer’s course, where positioning from the tee is key and well-struck iron shots are rewarded. The layout has a classic, understated charm, and when the wind picks up, it becomes a proper test despite its relatively gentle appearance.

Often quieter than the headline venues nearby, Hesketh is a fantastic option for those looking to experience authentic links golf in a more relaxed setting.

Highlight: The par-4 16th is a standout hole, requiring an accurate tee shot to avoid trouble before a precise approach to a well-protected green.

Key features:

• Traditional links layout with a classic out-and-back feel
• Less reliant on dunes, with a focus on shot placement and control
• Strong test in windy conditions despite a flatter landscape
• Great addition to a Southport golf itinerary

Bonus fact: Hesketh is one of the oldest clubs in the region and has hosted Final Open Qualifying, further cementing its reputation as a true test of links golf.

Ranked among the top golf courses in England Location: Wirral | Designer: Old Tom Morris, James Braid, J.H. Taylor, Hawtree Ltd & Donald Steel | Par: 72 | Length: 6,649 yards | Founded: 1892 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Wallasey Golf Club offers a classic links experience with a fascinating place in golf history as the birthplace of the Stableford scoring system. Designed to keep golfers engaged despite the course’s challenges, it’s easy to see why a new format was needed once you take on this testing layout.

The course blends traditional links features with stunning coastal views, particularly from elevated tees that overlook the Irish Sea. It’s a layout that constantly asks questions of your game, from tight approaches to undulating fairways that can kick the ball in unexpected directions.

Full of character and variety, Wallasey is both a historical landmark and a thoroughly enjoyable round, offering something a little different to its more famous neighbours.

Highlight: The par-4 18th is one of the most memorable finishing holes around, with a dramatically undulating fairway leading back towards the clubhouse, demanding a confident approach under pressure.

Key features:

• Birthplace of the Stableford scoring system
• Classic links layout with excellent coastal views
• Challenging, undulating fairways that test control and creativity
• Rich history combined with a welcoming and traditional club atmosphere

Bonus fact: Dr Frank Stableford created his famous scoring system at Wallasey after struggling on the course’s tough early holes, a format now used by golfers all over the world.

Ranked among the top golf courses in England Location: Southport | Designer: Willie Park Jr. & James Braid | Par: 72 | Length: 6,000 yards (approx.) | Founded: 1896 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Formby Ladies Golf Club offers a wonderfully traditional links experience with a slightly gentler feel, making it an enjoyable and accessible round for a wide range of golfers. Set among coastal dunes and pine trees, the course shares the same beautiful natural surroundings as its more famous neighbours.

Don’t be fooled by the shorter yardage, this is still a true links test. Tight fairways, well-placed bunkers and coastal winds demand accuracy and smart course management throughout.

With a welcoming atmosphere and a layout full of charm and character, Formby Ladies is a great addition to any Southport itinerary, offering a different but equally rewarding links experience.

Highlight: The par-3 7th is a standout, playing over undulating terrain to a well-guarded green, where club selection is key, especially in the wind.

Key features:

• Classic links layout set among dunes and pine trees
• Shorter yardage but still a strong test of accuracy and control
• Friendly and welcoming club with a relaxed pace of play
• Ideal complement to nearby championship courses

Bonus fact: Formby Ladies was founded in 1896 and remains one of the oldest women’s golf clubs in England, with a proud history and a course that continues to impress visitors today.

Best time to visit: April to October is the prime season along England’s Golf Coast, with long daylight hours, firmer fairways, and the best overall course conditions. May and June are particularly popular thanks to milder weather and quieter courses, while July and August bring peak-season demand. Early spring and autumn can offer excellent value, though you should be prepared for cooler temperatures and the occasional coastal wind.

Where to stay: England’s Golf Coast is perfectly set up for golf trips, with a wide range of accommodation options close to the region’s top courses. Popular bases include:

• Southport – Ideal for playing Royal Birkdale, Hillside, Formby, and Southport & Ainsdale, with a great selection of hotels and a lively town centre
• Liverpool – Perfect for combining golf at Royal Liverpool, Wallasey, and West Lancashire with a vibrant city break, restaurants, and nightlife

Many visitors choose to stay in Southport for a traditional golf trip feel, while Liverpool offers a more cosmopolitan experience with easy access to world-class links.

Booking tips:

• Plan early – Tee times at courses like Royal Birkdale and Royal Liverpool are limited and can book out months in advance, especially in peak season
• Play in groups – England’s Golf Coast is ideal for multi-round trips, with several top courses located within a short drive of each other
• Be flexible with timings – Morning and midweek tee times often offer better availability
• Check course rotations – Some clubs have specific visitor days, so plan your itinerary accordingly
• Pack for all conditions – Links golf means wind and changing weather, even in summer

Q: When is the best time to play golf on England’s Golf Coast? A: Late spring to early autumn (May to September) offers the best combination of weather and course conditions, with long daylight hours ideal for multiple rounds.

Q: Can I play Open Championship courses here? A: Yes – Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool, and Royal Lytham & St Annes are all Open venues that offer limited but highly sought-after visitor tee times.

Q: Are the courses close together? A: Very. One of the biggest advantages of England’s Golf Coast is its compact layout, with many top courses within 15–30 minutes of each other.

Q: Are there stay-and-play packages available? A: Yes, Golfbreaks offers tailored packages combining accommodation with tee times across multiple championship courses in the region.

Q: Is links golf suitable for all abilities? A: Absolutely. While championship tees can be challenging, most courses offer multiple tee options, making them enjoyable for a wide range of golfers.

England’s Golf Coast is one of the finest links golf destinations in the world, combining Open Championship venues, historic clubs, and stunning natural landscapes. With courses set among towering dunes and fast-running fairways, it offers a pure and authentic golf experience. Whether you’re ticking off bucket-list venues or building the ultimate Southport golf itinerary, this stretch of coastline delivers unforgettable golf at every turn.