The Complete Guide to England's Golf Coast
Explore England's Finest Links Golf Destination
The area known as England's Golf Coast has hosted The Open Championship more than 30 times, and the pace shows no signs of slowing. Royal Liverpool welcomed the Claret Jug in 2023. Royal Birkdale in 2026. And Royal Lytham & St. Annes is set to host in 2028.
And yet, for most traveling golfers, a golf trip to England's Golf Coast is often 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.
But what surprises most first-time visitors is the exceptional quality of the courses beyond the Royals. Hillside, Formby, Southport & Ainsdale, West Lancashire, and others aren't just warm-up rounds or filler. They are world-class links courses that, if not for the heavyweight neighbors overshadowing them, could anchor a trip on their own. Our Members routinely rank Hillside alongside the Royals as a favorite of their Expedition.
The quality of golf combined with the steady spotlight of major championships has only accelerated demand for England golf trips to the Southport and Liverpool area. But it's the region's accessibility that may be its best-kept secret. Compared to other marquee golf destinations, England's Golf Coast is easier to plan, easier on the budget, and easier to navigate once you're on the ground.
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 Members of Dubuque Golf & Country Club on their Expedition to England's Golf Coast
The Golf
As the crow flies, barely 25 miles separates the three Open Championship courses found on England's Golf Coast.
Each of the three Royals has its own personality. Royal Liverpool is steeped in history and presents the golfer an exercise in subtlety. Royal Lytham demands precision off the tee like few courses in the world. And Royal Birkdale weaves its way through dramatic terrain that is sure to please any lover of the links game.
But the Royals only tell part of the story. The supporting cast along this corridor, courses like Hillside, Formby, and West Lancashire, would be marquee courses in almost any other region. The depth of quality here is what makes England's Golf Coast such a rewarding destination.
You don't play one headliner course and fill the rest of the week. Here, the trip flows from one great course to the next, and your group is unlikely to agree on a favorite.
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 underwent a series of updates ahead of the 2023 Open Championship, most notably the addition of a new pint-sized par-3 that served as the 17th hole during the championship.
Beyond the course, Royal Liverpool's clubhouse is one of the finest on the Open rota. It's a place where you could spend an hour before your tee time simply taking in the history on the walls.
Bonus tip: Don't miss the case with Tiger's famous 2-iron from the 2006 Open.
The Members of Old Sandwich Golf Club enjoy a stunning day at Royal Liverpool
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.
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.
In recent years, Royal Lytham has invested heavily in its championship credentials. Significant course work, including the rerouting of the par-5 11th hole and the creation of a new championship practice facility, was completed with an eye toward bringing The Open back to the Lancashire links.
The improvements have already paid off. Royal Lytham was recently tapped to host the 2028 Open Championship.
The clubhouse experience at Royal Lytham rivals any on the Open rota. The history displayed throughout is remarkable, and the club is rightfully proud of it. If you can arrange a brief tour, there is a great deal to learn.
For a club that has crowned eleven Open champions, from Bobby Jones to Ernie Els, it's a walk through the game's finest moments.
Bonus tip: Look for the Bobby Jones painting and mashie upstairs in the clubhouse.
The Expedition led by Hugh Andrews from Mission Hills Country Club at Royal Lytham
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.
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.
For The Open's return in 2026, the club commissioned a series of course updates by Mackenzie & Ebert, including a new par-3 15th hole, a redesigned 14th, and refinements to the 5th and 7th.
The links, already routed through rolling dunes that were seemingly destined for golf, remain one of the finest examinations in championship golf.
Bonus tip: The round at Royal Birkdale is incomplete without a little time on the patio overlooking the 18th green.
Capping an unforgettable day at Royal Birkdale
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 remarkably deep. Deep enough, in fact, that calling them a "bench" doesn't quite do them justice.
Hillside Golf Club is the one that catches most groups off guard. Nestled in the dunes next door to Royal Birkdale, Hillside consistently ranks among our Members' favorite courses of the entire Expedition. Not favorite "supporting" course. Favorite course, full stop. The back nine, in particular, is as dramatic a stretch of links golf as you'll find anywhere in England.
Formby Golf Club offers a different character entirely. Routed through a corridor of towering pines and natural dunes, it feels more secluded than its neighbors. Both Formby and Hillside 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. It's the kind of course that rarely appears on a first-timer's radar but earns a permanent spot once you've played it.
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.
"We all wanted to play The Open rota courses, but if you were to poll the guys on our trip, Hillside and Formby were just as good."
Chandler Withington, PGA
Why England's Golf Coast Should Be Higher on Your List
The Royals get the headlines. The supporting courses earn the comparisons. But there's another reason England's Golf Coast has been climbing the wish list for American golfers: it's one of the most accessible marquee golf destinations in the world.
Consider the planning timeline. A trip to St. Andrews and the Home of Golf often requires 18 to 24 months of advance planning to secure the right tee times. England's Golf Coast, by contrast, can come together with 9 to 12 months of notice. That's not cutting corners. That's simply how availability works in a region where demand hasn't yet outpaced supply the way it has in the most popular corners of Scotland.
Then there's the value proposition. Accommodations in the Liverpool and Southport area tend to be less expensive than their equivalents in other areas, which means the overall cost of an England golf trip often surprises groups in the best way.
Finally, the logistics couldn't be simpler. Unlike Scotland or Ireland, where most itineraries involve at least one hotel change (and sometimes two or three), England's Golf Coast can be played entirely from a single base. Whether you choose Liverpool or Southport, every course on the itinerary is within a reasonable morning drive. Unpack once and enjoy a week of exceptional golf.
For groups who have already made the pilgrimage to Scotland or Ireland and are weighing where to go next, England's Golf Coast checks a rare combination of boxes: championship-caliber courses, a manageable planning window, strong value, and the simplest logistics of any major links golf destination.
The Good Life
Although England's Golf Coast is heavy with great golf, it's a little lighter on the Good Life compared to other marquee regions for golf across the pond.
Tourists looking to fill the week with sightseeing while the rest of the group plays golf may find the options a little wanting after a few days.
With that said, basing yourself in Liverpool changes the equation considerably.
Exploring 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. The massive Liverpool Cathedral is an inspiring sight, and a walk through the city center reveals layer after layer of history and architecture around nearly every corner.
Then, of course, there are the Fab Four. The story of The Beatles begins in Liverpool, and you'll find nods to history's biggest rock band throughout the city.
"The Beatles Story" on the Albert Docks is an outstanding attraction, but the real magic is out in the city itself. A stroll down Penny Lane. A live set at The Cavern Club, where it all started. Even those immune to The Beatles' charms will find it hard not to be impressed by the music history at hand.
Liverpool also punches well above its weight when it comes to dining. The restaurant scene has flourished in recent years, and there's no shortage of great options to enjoy after golf.
For those visiting in the spring or fall, consider the quintessential Liverpool experience with a visit to famed Anfield for a football match. Fans of Manchester United or Manchester City can do the same within easy striking distance of Liverpool.
Finally, no visit is complete without a pint at the Philharmonic Dining Rooms on Hope Street. The ornate Victorian interior, with its wood paneling, rich tiling, and stained glass, is worth the visit on its own. The Philharmonic is also the pub where Paul McCartney showed up unannounced in 2018 and played a surprise set that included Beatles classics and a brand-new song.
It's one of those only-in-Liverpool moments that perfectly captures the spirit of the city.
The Expedition led by Tim Marchi from Ruby Hill Golf Club with the Fab Four in Liverpool
For the Day Tripper
If you plan to take a day off the golf course, the area around England's Golf Coast offers some great options for exploration.
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 of a trip to England's Golf Coast is the ability to skip the hotel change. With the region's courses spread across a relatively compact corridor between Liverpool and Southport, most groups settle into one base for the entire week.
The bigger decision is which base to choose.
Liverpool
Liverpool has become our preferred recommendation for most groups. The city offers a significantly deeper off-course experience, with better restaurants, more sightseeing, and a livelier atmosphere in the evenings. It's also home to the region's best hotel options.
The Municipal Hotel & Spa, housed in a stunning Grade II-listed former council building on Dale Street, is Liverpool's only AA five-star hotel. For groups looking for a true luxury base, The Municipal fills a gap in this region that didn't exist until recently.
The Hope Street Hotel, Liverpool's original boutique hotel, offers a stylish alternative in the city's cultural quarter, nestled between the two cathedrals and just steps from the Philharmonic Dining Rooms.
From Liverpool, Royal Liverpool at Hoylake is roughly 20 minutes by car. The tradeoff is that Royal Birkdale, Royal Lytham, Hillside, and Formby are 30 to 40 minutes in the other direction.
For groups with a private Driver-Host, that difference is absorbed entirely. You're in capable hands, and the morning drive north to Southport becomes part of the experience rather than a chore.
The incredible Municipal Hotel in Liverpool
Southport
Southport remains a sound choice for groups whose itinerary leans heavily toward the Birkdale and Lytham corridor. Basing yourself there puts several of the region's best courses within 10 to 15 minutes. The Vincent offers stylish accommodations just steps from the vibrant pub scene in town.
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- The best regions for golf in England.
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- Where to enjoy the Good Life between rounds.
- Lesser known courses you should play.
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