Bradshaws Lane, Ainsdale,
Southport, Merseyside PR8 3LG
Office
+44 (0)1704 578 000Pro shop
+44 (0)1704 577 316Fax
+44 (0)1704 570 896Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Jim Payne (PGA Club Professional).The Course:
18 holes. Coastal links. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Hillside GC (on the west side across the small railway), open countryside and limited residential.
Designer:
James Braid and James A. (Jim) Steer.
53.605467
-3.034307
15 miles N of Liverpool
From the centre of Southport, head south on the A565 direction Liverpool. After 3.2 miles, at Southport & Ainsdale sign, turn right into Bradshaws Lane. After 200 yards golf entrance is in front of you.
Southport & Ainsdale
Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club: A links golf course designed by the incomparable James Braid is always likely to be an enjoyable and challenging experience; in these respects Southport & Ainsdale will certainly not disappoint. On this occasion the undulations and twists and turns of the links terrain have fashioned a sometimes tricky and constantly testing layout.
The opening hole, a par-3, serves notice that good course management and accuracy from the tee will serve you better than flailing away with the driver at every opportunity. Straight hitting is at a premium if you want to stay out of the rather punishing rough. There's also a multitude of pot bunkers lining the fairways and surrounding many greens.
Just across the railway track that borders the west side of Southport & Ainsdale, you can look into the adjoining Hillside Golf Club and its towering sand dunes, beyond which lie two other notable attractions ... Royal Birkdale Golf Club and the Irish Sea.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance. Proof of handicap may be requested.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire.
Good
Southport & Ainsdale has hosted many top level competitions, not least the Women's British Open (1979) and the second and third Ryder Cups to be contested on European soil (1933, 1937) (see our Tournaments section >by Venue >Southport & Ainsdale).
A stunning five-mile stretch of duneland on the Lancashire coast is book-ended by the seaside towns of Southport and Formby. At the northern end of this stretch of sand hills, and closest to Southport, you'll find three of England's top-rated links courses sitting cheek-by-jowl. The proximity of this formidable triumverate, comprising Royal Birkdale, Hillside and Southport & Ainsdale, can be clearly seen on a satellite view map.
Royal Birkdale lies closest to Southport. A small pathway separates this revered Open Championship venue from Hillside, which adjoins it to the south. Across the railway track to the south and east of Hillside, lies Southport & Ainsdale. If this trio doesn't satisfy your links golf appetite, the also excellent courses of Formby and West Lancs lie just a few miles further south.
England's 44th best course (Golf World, 2023).
Britain & Ireland's 94th best course (Golf World, 2024).
Lord Street, Southport, Lancs PR8 1NZ
+44 (0)1704 543 000
Visit websiteThe Scarisbrick Hotel is set in a central location on Lord Street, Southport's main shopping boulevard. It is close to all Southport's main attractions, and a short drive from the area's many top level golf courses.
No
Hesketh; Royal Birkdale; Hillside
Southport & Ainsdale; Formby; West Lancashire
Southport Old Road, Formby, Merseyside L37 0AB
+44 (0)1704 875 699
Visit websiteWith 62 bedrooms, Formby Hall combines all the charm and individuality of a boutique hotel, with the facilities of a 4-star luxury spa and golf resort. Located just 30 mins from Liverpool, it is an ideal base from which to explore the fabulous golf courses on the Lancashire coast.
Formby Hall
Formby
Hillside; Royal Birkdale; Southport & Ainsdale; West Lancashire; Hesketh; Wallasey; Royal Liverpool.
124th US Open: the No.2 Course at Pinehurst once again plays host to this most illustrious championship (June 13-16). Wyndham Clark defends his title, having won at Los Angeles CC in 2023.
79th Women’s US Open: the second women’s major championship of the season gets underway at Lancaster CC in Pennsylvania. It’s the second time the championship has been held here.
(May 30-June 2).
Nelly Korda: won the Mizuho Americas Open (May 16-19) at Liberty National GC, continuing her extraordinary form in LPGA events. This was her sixth win in seven starts in 2024.
Xander Schauffele: recorded his first major championship win, and second record-equalling low score of 62 in a major. Only he, Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler and Shane Lowry have achieved this feat in a men’s major championship.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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