The Royal Liverpool, Hoylake course started
life as the racecourse of the Liverpool Hunt Club, set
on the shores of the Dee and with the Welsh hills in the distance.
As a reminder of its previous life, the original saddling bell
is displayed among the memorabilia in the clubhouse. The golf course was built in 1869 and with the exception of Westward ho! in Devon is the oldest seaside course in England.
It is also one of the great links courses.
The club is a place of firsts: the first Amateur in 1885; the first international match between England and Scotland in 1902; the first
international between Great Britain and the United States in 1921, now known as the Walker Cup.
Although the Club has hosted many great events and many a famous golfing hero has walked the fairways over the years, it is probably best known for its contribution to the amateur game and a place where amateurs feel at home.
Aside from hosting the first Amateur game there have been other great golfing
accomplishments. Hilton, from neighbouring West Kirby, won the
Amateur four times and The Open in 1892 and 1897. Hoylake's own
John Ball won the Amateur an amazing eight times, the US Amateur
and as an amateur Bobby Jones secured a place in golf history
by winning The Open and the Amateur on both sides of the Atlantic
in the same year to achieve his famous 'Grand Slam'.
Whilst at first appearance the course may look flat, it is a very
challenging championship course, 6,240 yards long from the visitors' yellow tees. However, as with all links courses, the wind makes its presence felt. The summer breeze can be your ally and the icy gale a ruthless adversary. All the holes require
your utmost attention. The enormous clubhouse offers a respite
from the elements and a place to soak up the history and traditions
of the game.
As part of a concentrated effort that the Club remains at the forefront of the world's greatest courses, the architect Donald Steel was commissioned to revamp and upgrade the course to modern standards. He has achieved this with great success,
for in 2006 The Open makes a very welcome and overdue return to Royal Liverpool ensuring it remains one of the world's great links courses.
COURSE DETAILS
Course length: Championship 7210. Yellow 6240. Red (Ladies)
5828
Par/sss: Yellow 72/71. Red (ladies) 74/75
Course
record (Championship): Amateur, 67. Pro, 64, Brian
Waites.
Available tee off times:
MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN
after 14:00 all day all day after 14:00 all day after 12:30 after 12:30
CLUB & TROLLEY - CART HIRE DETAILS: Trolleys available - book direct with course.
DRESS CODE: Tailored shorts allowed and any gentlemen playing in shorts must wear knee length socks. Smart casual in
club house, Jacket & tie required in club house after 6pm.
HANDICAP CERTIFICATE REQUIRED: Must be
shown at Pro Shop prior to teeing off.
