The Complete Guide to England's Golf Coast

The area known as England’s Golf Coast recently took center stage when The Open Championship returned to Royal Liverpool Golf Club for the 13th time.

 

For most, a golf trip to England’s Golf Coast is slated for the 3rd or 4th journey across the pond, after they’ve checked Scotland and Ireland off the bucket list.

 

Those wise enough to visit the region, however, are rewarded with one of the greatest concentrations of outstanding golf on the globe.

 

The limelight from the 2023 Open Championship, plus its return to Royal Birkdale in 2026, spiked demand for England golf trips to the Southport and Liverpool area.

 

If you’re counting down to a golf trip to this storied region, this complete guide to England’s Golf Coast will help lead the way.

The Golf

As the crow flies, barely 25 miles separates the three Open Championship courses found on England’s Golf Coast.

 

When the Claret Jug arrived in 2023, it marked the 34th time the region has hosted golf’s oldest major and another is already on the calendar for 2026.

 

For additional insight on this storied region, our Golf and the Good Life podcast offers an in-depth look at England's Golf Coast.

Royal Liverpool

Founded in 1869, Royal Liverpool Golf Club is the 2nd oldest seaside golf club in England (Only Westward Ho! is older).

 

Commonly known as Hoylake, after the small town where the course is located, Royal Liverpool has crowned some of the greatest champions in the game of golf.

 

The names Hagen, Jones, Woods, and McIlroy are all inscribed on the Claret Jugs as winners at Hoylake.

 

In the case of Bobby Jones, the win at Royal Liverpool was an important piece of his Grand Slam puzzle.

 

The Harry Colt designed links has recently undergone a variety of updates ahead of the 2023 Open Championship.

 

The new, pint-sized 15th hole, which will serve as the 17th hole during The Open, seems destined to play a pivotal role in deciding the champion at Hoylake.

Credit: Royal Liverpool / Kevin Patrick Murray

Royal Lytham & St. Annes

Like nearby Royal Liverpool, Harry Colt lent his expertise to the design at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.

 

The ribbon-like fairways and notorious bunkers at Royal Lytham demand strategic play, rewarding the player who is willing to choose prudence over boldness.

 

At one point, the course boasted over 200 of the most penal bunkers in Britain. In recent years, that number has been reduced to a paltry 174.

 

In 1926, the aforementioned Bobby Jones took home his first Claret Jug at Royal Lytham & St. Annes in dramatic fashion.

 

Trailing by two-strokes on the 71st hole, Jones swept a mashie off a barren and sandy lie and found the center of the green.

 

His opponent never recovered from the jaw-dropping sight, and the future Grand Slam winner took home the title by two-strokes.

 

A plaque on the 17th hole commemorates the shot, and the mashie is proudly displayed inside the clubhouse.

 

Not to be outdone, Seve Ballesteros won his first Open Championship at Royal Lytham in a way that only he could…

 

With a miraculous approach on the 72nd hole from the parking lot.

Royal Birkdale

The only club in the United Kingdom granted “Royal” status by King George VI, Royal Birkdale Golf Club was the last of the local trio to join The Open rota.

 

Arnold Palmer won his first of two Claret Jugs at Royal Birkdale. The win sparked a welcome turn of fortune for golf’s original major championship.

 

At the time, the PGA Championship and The Open were contested just days apart, forcing American professionals to choose one or the other.

 

For most, the arduous journey to play in The Open was a tough sell.

 

But The King’s win quickly changed their opinion, and the PGA eventually found a new place on the calendar.

 

It was an incredible show of sportsmanship by Arnie’s greatest rival, however, that cemented Royal Birkdale’s place in golf history.

 

The club has gone on to host The Open Championship 10-times, with another on the calendar for 2026.

 

When the 1969 Ryder Cup came down to a slippery two-footer, Jack Nicklaus conceded the putt to Tony Jacklin, ending the matches in a tie.

 

A moment that is no doubt the topic of many conversions on the patio outside Royal Birkdale’s iconic clubhouse.

 

As for the links, most agree that Royal Birkdale is a collection of 18 solid holes, routed through rolling dunes that were seemingly destined for golf.

Beyond the Royals

Although the royal members of the Open Rota form the starting lineup of an England’s Golf Coast itinerary, the bench here is quite strong.

 

Formby Golf Club and Hillside Golf Club have hosted the Amateur Championship on multiple occasions and often serve as qualifying venues when The Open is in town.

 

Just across the railroad tracks from Hillside is two-time Ryder Cup host, Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club, where the Americans famously became the first side to win on foreign soil.

 

At nearby West Lancashire, we find both a delightful test of links golf and a co-host of the Amateur Championship.

 

Finally, fans of the Stableford format should add Wallasey to their itinerary, as it was here that Dr. Frank Stableford, a lifelong member and Captain of the club, invented the scoring system.

 

To learn more about these courses, we invite you to visit our guide to England’s Golf Coast off the well worn path.

The Good Life

Although England’s Golf Coast is heavy with great golf, it’s a little light on the Good Life.

 

Tourists looking to fill the week with sightseeing while the rest of the group plays golf may find the area lacking.

 

With that said, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy your time off the golf course.

Liverpool

The best concentration of sightseeing on England’s Golf Coast is found in the heart of Liverpool.

 

The Maritime Museum and the Liverpool outpost of The Tate are both insightful and entertaining.

 

Nearby, the “Bombed Out Church” is a solemn reminder of the perils of World War II, while the massive Liverpool Cathedral is an inspiring sight.

 

When the day is done, the Carpathia rooftop bar at the former headquarters of White Star Line offers a dash of history alongside delicious cocktails and a titanic view of the city.

 

Finally, those visiting in the spring or fall will find the quintessential Liverpool experience with a visit to famed Anfield for a football match.

The Beatles

The story of history’s biggest rock and roll band begins just a stone’s throw from Hoylake.

 

“The Beatles Story” also happens to be an outstanding attraction on the Albert Docks, but the connection between the Fab Four and Liverpool reaches far beyond the walls of any museum.

 

Whether it’s taking a stroll down Penny Lane or enjoying a live set at the place where it all started – The Cavern Club – even those immune to The Beatles’ charms will find it hard to not be impressed by music history at hand.

For the Day Tripper

If you plan to take a day off the golf course, England's Golf Coast offers some great options for the day tripper.

 

Chester, one of the most historic cities in England, is less than an hour from Hoylake.

 

There you'll find a magnificent cathedral and a Roman museum which could easily fill hours of exploration.

 

Be sure to enjoy a stroll on the ancient city wall, the longest remaining in England.

 

If you have a full day at your disposal, consider a leisurely drive across the north coast of Wales.

 

The 11th century grounds of Caernarfon Castle, where the Prince of Wales is traditionally crowned, makes a perfect turnaround point.

 

Along the way, fans of the show "Welcome to Wrexham" should stop for a pint at The Turf Hotel adjacent the Racecourse Ground.

 

The Accommodations

One of the great advantages to a trip to England’s Golf Coast is the ability to skip the hotel change.

 

And while the region may not offer a wealth of five-star hotels, there are several options that will make a great base for a weeklong journey.

 

For example, The Vincent offers “Effortlessly Stylish” accommodations just steps from the vibrant pub scene in Southport.

 

Those looking for a value option will find that the Waterfront Hotel in Southport fits the bill.

 

Southport may be the convenient choice for accessing the famous links, but many opt to base themselves closer to the sites and nightlight of nearby Liverpool.

 

Inside a 19th century listed landmark, The Hard Day’s Night hotel brings sophisticated accommodations all tastefully inspired by the local lads who transformed music history.

Additional Details

How far in-advance should I start planning a trip to England’s Golf Coast?

Tee times for Royal Liverpool, Royal Lytham & St. Annes, and Royal Birkdale generally become available in the late spring. We suggest getting your group together and starting the planning process around March of the year prior to your trip.

Where is England’s Golf Coast located?

England’s Golf Coast generally refers to the area surrounding the cities of Southport and Liverpool. The map below gives an overview of England’s Golf Coast and the location of its famous courses.

What airport do I fly into for England’s Golf Coast?

Manchester airport is roughly an hour from Southport and offers numerous non-stop flights to the U.S. each day. It’s also possible to fly into Liverpool with an additional connection in Europe.