England Golf Courses
Lancashire Coast / Midlands
This is the premier golfing region of England. The wonderful
links land provides a wealth of unrivaled championship courses
located in one convenient area. Each course has either hosted
a British Open Championship or
other major tournament. In close proximity, just outside Birmingham
in the Midlands, lies the venerable Ryder Cup venue at The Belfry.
 THE
BELFRY – Brabazon Course: Site of the 1985, 1989 and
1993 Ryder Cups, as well as the most recent matches in 2002. This
parkland style course is considered to be one of the finest in
the UK. The resort, which also features the challenging Derby
Course, is located on the outskirts of Birmingham. Local Tip: Only a two hour drive
from both London and Southport. Play the course where so much
Ryder Cup history has taken place.
FORMBY: An unusual links course in that
Formby does not have any direct views of the sea. Instead, the
fairways roll through dunesland covered in parts with pine trees.
It is a venue for past British Amateurs and other major events.
HILLSIDE: Sharing the same classic
links land as Royal Birkdale, Hillside is an excellent championship
course. Hillside has hosted major professional events, the British
Amateur, as well as Open Qualifying.
ROYAL BIRKDALE: In 1998 Mark O'Meara
captured the 'Claret Jug' for his second major title of the year
here. Royal Birkdale, a regular venue of the British Open Championship,
is considered to be one of the finest courses in the world. The
classic links layout has fairways that snake through massive dunes
providing an ultimate test of golf. Local Tip: A letter of introduction from your home club will
be required for play. Limited play on Wednesday and Thursday.
ROYAL LIVERPOOL (Hoylake): Founded
in 1869, Hoylake, as the locals call it, has hosted ten Open Championships.
The Open was last played on this highly rated links course in
1967. Local Tip: Hoylake is
expected to return to the Open rotation at some point in the near
future.
ROYAL LYTHAM & ST. ANNE'S: The scene
of nine British Open Championships and site for the 2001 event
in which David Duval triumphed. Tom Lehman also won his first
major here in 1996. Local Tip:
Visitor play only available on Monday and Thursday.
SOUTHPORT & AINSDALE: In addition
to being a regular site for Open Qualifying, S&A, as the locals
refer to the club, has the distinction of having hosted two Ryder
Cup Matches over the years. It is a pure seaside links course.
WEST LANCASHIRE:
While it may not have hosted many of the prestigious tournaments
of it's more famous neighbors, West Lancashire is a formidable
test of links golf with high dunes and large pot bunkers. Site
of British Open qualifying.
Other Courses of Note: Hesketh, Wallasey.
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London Area
While perhaps not possessing as much of the notoriety of the
links layouts of coastal England, the heathland courses of London,
are as challenging and dramatic as any in the world. Located west
of the city, these tracks are regularly chosen to host international
tournaments such as the World Matchplay Championship.
 STOKE
POGES: The Club's facilities (which included tennis, cricket
and polo) were based on the famous 27 hole course designed by
arguably the most influential golf architect in history, Harry
Colt. Colt designed many of the greatest courses in the world
including Muirfield, Sunningdale, Royal Portrush, Wentworth and
Pine Valley. From the beginning, Stoke Poges has maintained a
reputation as one of the finest parkland golf courses in the world.
Local Tip: Made famous by Sean
Connery as James Bond in Goldfinger and also used in the filming
of Tomorrow Never Dies.
SUNNINGDALE: Perhaps
the most prestigious club in England, Sunningdale offers two outstanding
heathland courses the Old and New. The Old Course, designed by
Willie Park Jr. and opened in 1901 is Sunningdale's better known
layout. It hosted the 1987 Walker Cup Matches. The Harry Colt
designed New Course opened in 1923 and offers an equally challenging
test. Sunningdale is located in the beautiful Surrey countryside,
close to Wentworth. Local Tip:
Visitor play only available Monday through Thursday.
WALTON HEATH: The two courses,
Old and New, are outstanding heathland layouts. The Old has hosted
a number of prestigious tournaments over the years including the
1981 Ryder Cup Matches.
WENTWORTH: There are three
courses at Wentworth. The famous West course is the site of the
annual World Matchplay event and hosted the 1953 Ryder Cup Matches.
The other courses are the East and Edinburgh. In addition, the
Wentworth Club, located outside London near Windsor, is the venue
of the annual European PGA Championship. Local Tip: West course can only be confirmed 30 days prior
to play.
Other Courses of Note: The Berkshire.
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Southeast Coast
England's 'Channel Coast', located within two hours of London,
offers a remarkable variety of links golf. Through the years,
the world's finest golfers have tested their skills over these
historic links layouts.
 PRINCE'S:
In 1932 Prince's hosted it's one and only British Open Championship.
The course, like many in Britain, was used as target practice
during WW II. However, in 1950 the layout was re-worked and it
is considered to be a more superior layout than that which Gene
Sarazen triumphed over in winning his Open title here.
ROYAL CINQUE PORTS
(Deal): Although the Open has not been played on this links
course since 1920, it remains a favorite for major amateur events.
The club is also referred to as Deal.
ROYAL ST. GEORGE'S:
One of three southeast courses to have hosted the Open Championship,
Royal St George's is now the only Open venue south of England's
Lancashire Coast. Greg Norman won the title the last time the
Open was played at Royal St. George's. All told, the Open has
been played eleven times on this classic links layout dating back
to 1894. Local Tip: A letter
of introduction from your home club will be required for play.
Maximum allowable handicap - 18.
Other Courses of Note: Littlestone,
Rye.
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