REGION GUIDE
Golf in the North West of England
The coast between Liverpool and Blackpool is known as England’s Golf Coast, and with good reason. Three Open Championship venues, Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool and Royal Lytham & St Annes, sit within an hour of each other, surrounded by a string of outstanding links.
Add the parkland of Cheshire, the remote links of Silloth in Cumbria and the cities of Liverpool and Manchester, and the North West is one of the great golf destinations in the world.
Top 10 must-play courses
- Royal Birkdale Golf Club: The Open Championship venue for 2026, famous for its fairways between towering dunes.
- Royal Liverpool Golf Club: Hoylake, one of the oldest links in England and a regular Open venue.
- Royal Lytham & St Annes: An Open venue famous for its bunkers, and host of the 2026 AIG Women’s Open.
- Hillside Golf Club: Spectacular dunes right next door to Royal Birkdale.
- Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club: A James Braid links that has hosted the Ryder Cup.
- Formby Golf Club: Links golf through pine and dunes north of Liverpool.
- Silloth on Solway Golf Club: Remote, rugged and one of the best value links in England.
- West Lancashire Golf Club: A championship links north of Liverpool, on the edge of the Mersey estuary.
- Wallasey Golf Club: An Old Tom Morris links on the Wirral, where the Stableford scoring system was invented.
- Hesketh Golf Club: Southport’s oldest club, a links beside the Ribble estuary.
The top 10 at a glance
| Course | Type | Par | Yards | Architect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Birkdale Golf Club | Links | 70 | 7,176 | George Lowe, later Fred G. Hawtree |
| Royal Liverpool Golf Club | Links | 72 | – | Robert Chambers and George Morris, later Harry Colt |
| Royal Lytham & St Annes | Links | 70 | 7,094 | George Lowe, later Harry Colt |
| Hillside Golf Club | Links | 72 | 7,029 | Fred Hawtree |
| Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club | Links | 72 | 7,007 | George Lowe, later James Braid |
| Formby Golf Club | Links | 72 | 7,031 | Willie Park Jr., later Harry Colt |
| Silloth on Solway Golf Club | Links | 72 | 6,641 | Davie Grant |
| West Lancashire Golf Club | Links | 72 | 7,016 | C.K. Cotton |
| Wallasey Golf Club | Links | 72 | 6,649 | Old Tom Morris |
| Hesketh Golf Club | Links | 71 | 6,595 | J.O.F. Morris |
Getting there
Manchester Airport has flights from around the world and Liverpool is close to the coast. Most of the links are within an hour of either airport.
Where to stay
Formby Hall is a golf resort close to the coast. In Cheshire, The Mere, Mottram Hall, Carden Park and Wychwood Park all have golf on site.
When to go
May to September is the best time for links golf on the coast. The Open and other major events bring heavy demand, so plan ahead if you want to visit in championship years.
Golf courses in the North West
Golf tours in the North West
2 Hotels
2 Resorts
Where to stay in the North West
Frequently asked questions
What is England’s Golf Coast?
England’s Golf Coast is the stretch of Merseyside and Lancashire coast that includes Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool and Royal Lytham & St Annes, along with many other fine links.
Can visitors play Royal Birkdale and Royal Liverpool?
Yes, both welcome visitors on set days, but tee times are in high demand, so book well in advance.
Which airport is best for golf in the North West?
Manchester and Liverpool both work well. Most of the coastal links are within an hour of either airport.
Ready to plan your trip?
Tell us where and when you would like to play, and we will put you in touch with a trusted tour operator.