England's Golf Coast - 40 miles of unadulterated golf heaven
By David Brice, Golf International, Inc.
Most golfers making plans to take a trip Across the Pond to experience the game in the British Isles, typically pin themselves down to choosing between Scotland and Ireland and that's a good start Both have excellent golf and if, as is usually the case, the aim is to play links courses, each country has an excellent selection of these wind-blown challenges, more than enough to test the spirit of any aspiring links golfer.
But leave England out of the countries being considered and you will be overlooking one of the world's greatest golf destinations. According to the respected British publication, Golf World, in their latest ranking of the top 100 courses in the British Isles, half of the best are located in England. Of these, 5 of the top English links layouts are conveniently located along a short, 40-mile stretch of coastline in the northwest of the country, known as England's Golf Coast.
The Golf Coast extends from the port city of Liverpool, northward to the seaside resort of Blackpool and contains more than two-dozen courses in all. Many may be unfamiliar names, but sharing the same piece of rich linksland, they all have a special quality to them and the quality of the so called, Big Five, is as good as golf gets.
Royal Birkdale, ranked # 1 in England and # 3 in the entire British Isles, will host this year's British Open in July, the ninth occasion it has had the honor. Celebrity status for sure, but this shining star in the galaxy that is The Golf Coast, has earned its position.
Surrounded by the highest and most intimidating sand dunes and not a single, forgiving hole on the track, Birkdale presents an ominous test from start to finish and there's no let up along the way. Deep hungry bunkers are plentiful and masterfully placed, with each hole offering a different challenge -- lose your concentration here and the cost will be heavy.
Following closely on the heels of Royal Birkdale is Royal Lytham & St. Anne's, another regular British Open venue -- 2012 will mark the 11th time Lytham has been selected for the event - but this is a test of another kind. The opening hole is unusual, a devilish par 3 measuring over 200 yards -- and that's just to grab your attention. There's a railway track that runs the full length of the front nine, forming a continuous boundary to the right. If you thought the bunkers at Birkdale were plentiful, they are even more so at Royal Lytham, with a grand total of 196 of them. And the wind, when it blows, which is often, does so with a velocity matched by few others. If you think the front nine is tough, wait until you make the turn and start the long journey back home.
Royal Liverpool hosted its 11th British Open in 2006, returning to the rota after a 39-year hiatus. Founded in 1869 this is one of England's oldest links courses and one that has long carried a reputation of being as tough as nails. Recent modifications by Donald Steel have added both length and a new level of ferocity that will test even the most accomplished links golfer to the extreme.
Number four on the list of the Golf Coast's top five is the testy layout at Formby Golf Club, a gem of a links with a few unique twists that only add to its appeal. Rather than a typical out and back layout, this one twists and turns its way, continually changing direction. There are occasional heathland characteristics and unique to a links course, pine lined fairways that offer some welcome respite from the wind and add a special beauty to the course. But don't be fooled by the good looks, Formby is one stiff examination; it may not have hosted The British Open, but is a frequent venue for top amateur events, including the English Amateur and is ranked as # 30 in the British Isles.
Rounding out the English Golf Coast's "Big Five" is the White Course at Hillside Golf Club, perhaps the most under-rated layout in the entire Kingdom. Sitting next door to Royal Birkdale and sharing the same sand dunes, places Hillside literally and figuratively in the shadow of its world famous neighbor - located any place else and Hillside would have a deserved fame of its own.
Many argue (with some justification) that Hillside is every bit the equal of Birkdale and deserving of being brought into the exclusive club of British Open venues. This may only be a matter of time as the rest of the world comes to the realization that since a serious reshaping of the back nine, almost 40 years ago, Hillside is a world-class links of the highest order.
Spend a week on England's Golf Coast and 5 of the best links courses in all of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland are yours for the playing and they are still only the tip of the iceberg. It's ironic that Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club, described as the best-designed course in the UK and a two-time Ryder Cup host, doesn't even make it onto the Big 5 list. Neither does the West Lancashire Golf Club, a stunning links dating from 1873, nor Wallasey Golf Club, one more historic centenarian links. There are another twenty excellent courses along this 40-mile stretch of golf-blessed coastline and every one of them is well worth playing.
For a few suggestions as to how to include England's Golf Coast on your trip, perhaps including a day or two attending this year's British Open at Royal Birkdale, click here.
©2008 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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