Hillside

The Lancashire coast between Southport and Blackpool contains one of the greatest concentrations of links golf in the world, and Hillside is one of its finest expressions. Fred Hawtree's 1967 redesign transformed what was already a capable course into something significantly more ambitious, routing the back nine through the highest and most dramatic section of the dune system and creating a sequence of holes that demand both nerve and creativity. The course plays differently in every wind direction, as all the best links do, and the sandy soil ensures that it remains in excellent condition throughout the year.

The proximity to Royal Birkdale is both Hillside's greatest asset and its greatest commercial challenge. Golfers who make the journey to Southport for a links experience tend to gravitate towards Birkdale's Open Championship cachet, and Hillside benefits from overflow rather than being the primary destination. This is a circumstance that has, paradoxically, preserved something of the club's character: it is unhurried, focused on golf rather than reputation, and consistently well-maintained without the pressure of hosting major championships. Those who do seek it out tend to leave with an evangelical conviction that it is undervalued.

Hillside sits naturally alongside Royal Birkdale and Southport and Ainsdale in any serious northern England golf itinerary. For golfers with time for more than one round in Southport, the contrast between Birkdale's championship grandeur and Hillside's quieter authority is one of the most satisfying double-headers available anywhere on the English coast.