Best golf courses in Lancashire

With such a strong mix of golf, it’s no surprise that so many of our customers flock to this part of the UK each year on their own golf tour, usually staying in the centrally located Southport.

Before planning your own itinerary, check out what we think are some of the best golf courses in Lancashire.

Best for a championship links experience

Location: Southport | Par: 70 | 10-time Open Championship host

Widely regarded as one of the finest links courses in the world, Royal Birkdale should be a fixture on every golfer’s bucket list. Host to 10 Open Championships, the course is famed for its rugged dunes, immaculate fairways, and the sheer quality of professional golf that has been played here. Be that Rose’s chip-in as an amateur, Seve’s introduction to the world stage, or even Harrington’s famed 5-wood to clinch the Open in 2008.

Every hole offers a unique challenge, demanding precision and strategy. The Open’s history echoes throughout, and playing here feels like travelling back in time and walking in the footsteps of golfing legends.

Key features:

• Rugged dunes and immaculate fairways
• Difficult layout with strong coastal winds
• Rich history hosting legendary tournaments inc. The Open and Ryder Cup

Best for history & prestige

Location: Lytham St Annes | Par: 70 | 12-time Open Championship host

The second in Lancashire’s list of Open Championship AND Ryder Cup hosts, Royal Lytham & St Anne’s sits comfortably alongside Royal Birkdale as two of England’s top golf courses. Past Champion Golfers of the Year here includes Seve Ballesteros (x2), Ernie Els, Gary Player, and Tony Jacklin, so visitors fortunate enough to play her will be rubbing shoulders with the very best.

The layout itself starts with a tricky par-3 before routing through firm turf, awesome pot bunkering, rough grass and gentle sand dunes. It is not your typical links but don’t let this deceive you, it is a five-star golf course in a five-star golf region.

Key features:

• Tight fairways demanding precision
• Known for its 200+ bunkers, including the infamous “Big Bertha” bunker on the 18th hole.
• Historic venue with Ryder Cup and Open Championships

Best for a scenic links experience

Location: Formby | Par: 72 | Known for its diverse landscape

Formby Golf Club is a true gem along England’s Golf Coast, offering a unique blend of towering sand dunes, pine trees, and classic links terrain. The course’s picturesque setting and diverse landscape make it one of the most visually striking golf courses in Lancashire. Designed to challenge golfers of all levels, its fairways weave through both open coastal areas and woodland, ensuring that every hole presents a different test.

Accuracy is key here, with tight fairways and well-placed bunkers ready to catch errant shots. The course is renowned for its immaculate conditioning, fast greens, and strategic layout that requires both power and precision. The par-3 7th hole, which plays downhill towards the coastline, is a standout, offering breathtaking views and a true test of club selection.

The club has hosted numerous prestigious amateur championships, further cementing its reputation as a must-play destination. With its combination of natural beauty and golfing challenge, it's easy to see why this course is a favourite for visitors to Lancashire.

Key features:

• Coastal winds adding to the challenge
• Tree-lined fairways and natural hazards
• Stunning views of the Irish Sea

Best for traditional links golf

Location: Crosby| Par: 72 | Established in 1873

One of the oldest golf clubs in England and certainly one of Lancashire’s best golf courses, West Lancs offers a classic links experience. With undulating fairways, deep pot bunkers, and ever-changing winds coming off the coast, this course is a true test of skill.

The layout is both challenging and rewarding, with stunning views of the River Mersey and the Irish Sea as a backdrop. The railway famously runs alongside the eastern border of the golf course, a hallmark of many of the great courses down this coastline.

Key features:

• Classic links experience with coastal views
• Undulating fairways and challenging winds
• Natural surroundings with wildlife

Best for Ryder Cup history

Location: Southport | Par: 72 | 2-time Ryder Cup host (1933 & 1937)

A two-time Ryder Cup venue, Southport & Ainsdale was designed by the legendary James Braid. The club is just a stone’s throw from both Hillside and Royal Birkdale, and as such, is a great addition to any Southport golf tour itinerary.

But this layout is no mere underdog, itself a two-time host of the Ryder Cup, and often the favourite layout of many golfers who visit this stretch of land.

Key features:

• Strategic bunkering and natural dunes
• Challenging par-3 holes
• Well-maintained fairways and greens

Best for modern course design features

Location: Southport | Par: 72 | Former British Masters & English Open host

A stray hook from Hillside’s 17th tee box may find its way onto the fairways of its neighbour, Royal Birkdale, giving an indication of just how close these two courses are. In 2021, the club underwent a renovation to its opening holes which run to the right-hand side of the same railway line that borders Southport & Ainsdale, and these changes have evened up the course to make it arguably one of the strongest links courses in England.

The run of holes from 10-12 are particularly impressive, and it’s no surprise whatsoever that that Hillside regularly hosts top-tier tournaments, including the British Masters and Open Championship qualifying.

Key features:

• Varied elevation changes and scenic views
• Renovated opening holes with improved routing, including one of the UK’s best back 9s
• Neighbouring Royal Birkdale and Southport & Ainsdale, making it the perfect addition for a golf tour

Best for ticking off Open Qualifiers

Location: Lytham St Annes | Par: 72 | Regular Open Qualifier host

St Anne’s Old Links is a classic links course with a rich history dating back to 1901. The routing sits close to Blackpool Airport and offers unique views of the rides at the Pleasure Beach, as well as the famous Blackpool Tower from across the course.

Recent years have seen a huge effort made on the conditioning of the course, now making it one of the best in Lancashire. This has been recognised by The R&A, honouring the course with several elite amateur events over the past decade, as well as Open Qualifying.

We particularly love the short holes here, with varying lengths that play wildly differently dependent on the direction of the wind. A true hidden gem, and an ideal additional to any golf break in the North West.

Key features:

• Firm fairways and pot bunkers
• Stunning views of Blackpool’s skyline
• Compact design with strategic hazards

Best for parkland golf lovers

Location: Lytham St Annes | Par: 72 | Originally founded in 1895

Fairhaven Golf Club offers a contrasting experience to some of its other high-profile neighbours. This parkland-meets-links course is set amidst a serene, tree-lined landscape, and is known by many as the home of the ‘Fairhaven Trophy’, one of the most coveted prizes in European junior golf. Situated just 10-minutes from both Royal Lytham and St Anne’s Old Links, it is ideally placed to build a trip to the region around.

Key features:

• Blend of parkland and links elements
• Tree-lined fairways with well-placed bunkers
• Ideal for players of all skill levels

Best for a unique experience

Location: Formby | Par: 71 | Originally founded in 1895

Laid out within the wider routing of Formby Golf Club, Formby Ladies is the only ladies-only golf course in England, although men are welcome to play as guests. The compact layout, tight fairways, and tricky greens make it an experience that can be enjoyed by all, with accuracy always at a premium. It’s a stunning golf course which is ideal for those not looking to play each round of their golf trip at 7,000+ yards!

Key features:

• Short yet challenging layout
• Narrow fairways requiring accuracy
• Picturesque setting with natural beauty

Best for a stay & play package

Location: Formby | Par: 72 | Great for resort golf

One of the regions strongest golf resorts, Formby Hall is chosen by many of our golfers as a base for their golf trip to Lancashire. The on-site championship parkland course is known for its pristine condition, lush fairways, and water hazards, with the hotel and wider facilities offering a truly excellent off-course experience.

We love the spa and fine-dining options here, just as much as we enjoy kicking back in the Fairway Grill and watching others complete their rounds.

Key features:

• Championship parkland course
• Resort amenities including spa and dining
• Suitable for beginners and intermediate players

Best for a traditional members club

Location: Southport | Par: 72 | Oldest golf club in Southport (1885)

As Southport’s oldest golf club, Hesketh boasts a rich history and a unique mix of links and parkland features. The course is set among dunes and wildlife-filled marshes, offering a tranquil yet challenging round.

We’re particularly fond of Hesketh’s warm welcome, with fantastic feedback from all our guests who visit, with many also commenting on the first-class condition in which they found the course.

Key features:

• Blend of links and parkland elements
• Wildlife-rich marshlands and dunes
• Warm and welcoming atmosphere

• Best time to visit: May-September (mild weather, peak conditions)
• Booking advice: Many courses require advance booking, particularly Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham which are Open Championship hosts
• Local accommodation: Southport is a great base, with many golfers staying in The Vincent Hotel or Waterfront Southport Hotel. Alternatively, visitors looking for golf on-site could opt for Formby Hall, Shaw Hill or Herons Reach.

Lancashire is a golfing paradise, offering a mix of historic championship courses and scenic hidden gems. Whether you're seeking a world-class challenge or a relaxing resort experience, these eleven courses provide something for every golfer.