Overview
The Lancashire coast has the most concentrated collection of links courses in England. Royal Liverpool at Hoylake, Royal Birkdale at Southport, Formby. Three courses inside an hour of each other, all of championship standard, with a city the size of Liverpool to use as a base. Five days, no wasted time.
Day 1: Arrival & Royal Liverpool (Hoylake)
Fly into Liverpool or Manchester. Drive straight to Hoylake. Royal Liverpool has hosted The Open fourteen times — most recently in 2023. A flat, fast, demanding links with a finish that has broken many Open challengers.
Day 2: Formby Golf Club
A private club with a long history and a links course built into the Formby sandhills. Squirrels in the pines, sea views from the higher holes, and a course that is technically demanding throughout.
Day 3: Liverpool, Free Day
The city. The Merseyside food scene has improved considerably. Take a day.
Day 4: Royal Birkdale
Southport. Royal Birkdale has hosted ten Opens and is consistently ranked among the top courses in the world. The rough is severe, the fairways are narrow, and the greens are outstanding. A proper test.
Day 5: Departure
Liverpool or Manchester airport. Both are close. A straightforward end to a difficult stretch of golf.