The West Lancashire Golf Club

Hall Rd West, Blundellsands,

Liverpool, Merseyside L23 8SZ

  • Office

    +44 (0)151 924 1076
  • Pro shop

    +44 (0)151 924 5662
  • Fax

    +44 (0)151 931 4448
  • Golf pro

    Gavin Abson (Head PGA Professional).

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Seaside links. Gently undulating terrain - easy to walk.

  • Surroundings:

    Seaside and rural countryside.

  • Designer:

    Original design by Willie Park Jr. Present day course designed by C.K. (Ken) Cotton (1960).

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Yards
7055
6239
5834
Par
72
70
74
SSS or slope
74
71
74

Location

Latitude:

53.497779

Longitude:

-3.051441

How to get there:

7 miles N of Liverpool

From either the end of the M57 or M58 motorways (north-east of Liverpool) follow the A5036 direction Crosby (for only a few hundred yards), and then the A5207 direction Formby. After 2.5 mi turn left onto the A565 direction Crosby. After 1 mi at roundabout turn right and follow signs to West Lancashire GC for 1.6 mi. After the railway level crossing at Hall Rd, golf is on your right.

West Lancashire Golf Club

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.

Est. 1873

West Lancashire Golf Club: Amongst Britain's enviable array of coastal links courses, West Lancs is a gem. The layout here effortlessly reinforces Lancashire's reputation as home to one of the best concentrations of links golf, not just in Britain, but anywhere in the world.

In a wonderfully expansive area of coastal sand dunes, the West Lancs layout comprises two nine-hole loops played out-and-back from the clubhouse. Many elevated tees give you clear views onto the Irish Sea, as well as providing good reconnaissance for the hole ahead. In this very natural duneland setting there are few intrusions from the hustle and bustle of modern-day life. Keeping you company on the links is a coastal walkway, an occasional passing train on the Liverpool-Preston line and a seagull or two gliding overhead.

The front nine plays closest to the sea and is bounded by some impressive dunes. The back-nine initially tracks alongside the railway before it enters a tricky four-hole loop at the far end of the course, starting at the excellent par-3 12th (Valley). This quartet of holes will determine if you eventually have a score to remember or one to forget. The long par-4 14th (Bell) and par-4 15th (Sniggery) are potential card-wreckers, especially on a first outing.

Most of the West Lancs greens allow bump and run approach shots onto the putting surface, but beware the many pot bunkers waiting in the wings. Thick rough also plays a role, often lurking to the sides and beyond the greens. Better to play short and run the ball up, rather than go long and risk a grassy "bird's nest" lie.

List of courses: England - Lancs / Cheshire

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

Must book in advance. Proof of handicap may be requested.

Green fees

Visitor fee, 18-holes in high season (May thru' Sept): weekdays £175; weekends £195.

Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].

Other information

Players generally walk this course.

Practice facilities

Good

Did you know?

Established in 1873, West Lancashire is one of the ten oldest golf clubs in England. The club's original course was laid out on the landward sign of the present day railway line. Later developments required a new layout that straddled either side of the railway, before Ken Cotton's current layout shifted the course fully onto the railway's seaward side. West Lancs is used for final qualifying for Open Championships held at Royal Birkdale and Royal Liverpool.

The first Club Secretary of West Lancs was one of England's most celebrated amateur golfers - Harold Hilton. Originally from West Kirby, near Hoylake on the Wirral, Hilton won the Open Championship twice and the Amateur Championship on four occasions. In 1911 he won both the Amateur Championship and the US Amateur, the only British player to have lifted these two titles in the same year.

Published ranking

England's 28th best course (Golf World, 2023).
Britain & Ireland's 67th best course (Golf World, 2022).

Where2Stay

  • Titanic Hotel Liverpool4-star

    Stanley Dock, Regent Road, Liverpool L3 0AN

    +44 (0)151 559 1444

    Visit website

    Titanic Hotel is part of the redevelopment of the historic Stanley Dock complex in Liverpool. It is located in what was the North Warehouse. The hotel's 153 rooms are spacious and have many interesting features from the original warehouse, not least big views over the historic Port of Liverpool.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      Wallasey

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Royal Liverpool; Caldy; Heswall; West Lancashire; Formby; Formby Hall; Hillside; Royal Birkdale; Southport & Ainsdale; Hesketh.

  • Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa4-star

    Southport Old Road, Formby, Merseyside L37 0AB

    +44 (0)1704 875 699

    Visit website

    With 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.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Formby Hall

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      Formby

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Hillside; Royal Birkdale; Southport & Ainsdale; West Lancashire; Hesketh; Wallasey; Royal Liverpool.

Find a course

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Tournaments

Ryder Cup: Rome plays host to the first ever Ryder Cup to be staged in Italy, with the USA defending golf’s greatest team trophy at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club (Sept 29-Oct 1).

Solheim Cup: also in September, also in southern Europe, the 18th Solheim Cup will be contested at Finca Cortesin on the Costa del Sol, with Europe defending after their surprise win in Toledo, Inverness Club (Ohio) in 2021 (Sept 22-24). 

Who's Who

Céline Boutier: with many successes as both an amateur and professional golfer, Boutier added a major championship title to her impressive résumé at this year’s Evian Championship.

Alex Cejka: buffeted by rain and high winds, especially on the high-scoring final day, Čejka prevailed over Pádraig Harrington in a playoff at Royal Porthcawl, to scoop the Senior Open Championship title.

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

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.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

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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