Southport & Ainsdale

Merseyside

4.7

233 reviews

4.7(233 Google reviews)

About Southport & Ainsdale

Southport and Ainsdale is one of England's most distinguished links courses, a Ryder Cup venue set among the great dune systems of the Merseyside coast.

Founded in 1906 at Ainsdale on the Lancashire coast, Southport and Ainsdale sits within the same sand system as Royal Birkdale and Hillside, sharing in the natural drama of one of the finest stretches of links terrain in England. The course hosted the Ryder Cup in both 1933 and 1937, and the famous amphitheatre of spectator banks around the 18th green speaks to its credentials as a venue for the very highest level of the game. Private in character but open to visitors by arrangement, it offers a links experience of genuine championship quality.

Southport & Ainsdale

Bradshaw's Ln, Ainsdale, Southport PR8 3LG, UK

01704 578000

sandagolfclub.co.uk/

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England's Merseyside coast is among the finest links corridors in the world, and Southport and Ainsdale is an essential part of that story. The club sits alongside Royal Birkdale and Hillside within a compact stretch of duneland that has hosted more major championships than almost any comparable area in British golf. Its two Ryder Cup appearances in the 1930s belong to a golden era of the contest, when the matches were contested with an intensity that made them defining moments in the sport's history.

The course itself rewards the kind of creative, ground-hugging links play that distinguishes the great seaside venues from inland alternatives. Wind management, bump-and-run approach play, and a willingness to accept the bounces the terrain provides are all part of the game here. The 18th hole, with its natural spectator banks, is one of the most atmospheric finishing holes on the English links circuit, and experiencing it as a visiting golfer rather than a spectator is a privilege worth seeking out. Combining a round at Southport and Ainsdale with visits to Royal Birkdale and Hillside makes for one of the great golfing days in English golf.

Opening Hours

Monday9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

What Golfers Say About Southport & Ainsdale

A selection of recent visitor reviews from Google.

Iain Lovatt
5 months ago
What a great golf course this is. A really tough test of your golfing abilities mixed with a visual feast to seduce you. Looks absolutely fabulous plays absolutely diabolical. Bunkers strewn all over the course to entrap you, greens with more twists and turns than a best selling thriller, heather and long rough to capture your balls and never give up the secrets of where they are hidden and winds to make club selection a lot more interesting Loved it and will be back

Gregory Savory
4 months ago
Visited friday 24th October, breakfast was great, course really lovely, we tee'd off wrong tee after 1st hole, 7th instead of 2nd, easily done as both par fives. Good food after. Greens had little bit of disease and will be keen to go back in firmer conditions. Only downside was the welcome in pro shop (young lad, wasnt the pro), just really grumpy, 1 of our players hires trolly which he hadn't used before, couldn't get it to start so asked him shop, no engagement, just came out pushed button and went back in, not a word. All in all, good course but need to take a leaf out of west lancs book for the welcome.

Martin Kirkbride
3 years ago
What a great course! Played in the height of the heatwave and the course condition was absolutely fantastic and a credit to the greens staff. Superb practice facilities with a decent range and top shirt hame practice area. The staff were very friendly and welcoming. I can't recommend S&A highly enough!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club open to visitors?

Southport and Ainsdale is a private members' club but does welcome visitors on selected days. Advance booking is essential, and visitors should contact the club directly via sandagolfclub.co.uk to confirm availability, handicap requirements and any current restrictions. Society packages are also available.

Has Southport and Ainsdale hosted the Ryder Cup?

Yes, Southport and Ainsdale hosted the Ryder Cup on two occasions, in 1933 and 1937. The 1933 match was notable for producing a Great Britain and Ireland victory. The course's natural dune theatre, particularly around the 18th green, made it an outstanding championship venue and cemented its place in the history of the game.

What is the course at Southport and Ainsdale like?

The course is a natural dune links set within the Merseyside sand system, sharing terrain characteristics with Royal Birkdale and Hillside. Fairways weave through dunes and the wind plays a major role in how holes play from day to day. The 18th hole is particularly well regarded, finishing in front of a natural amphitheatre of grassed banks ideal for watching play.

Where is Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club located?

The club is situated at Ainsdale, just south of Southport in Merseyside. It is within a few miles of Royal Birkdale and Hillside, making the area one of the finest concentrations of links golf in the country. Southport itself is easily accessible by road and rail from Liverpool and Manchester.