The Royal Liverpool Golf Club links at Hoylake was created to be a demanding test of golf and remains so and lies at the very heart of the history and development of the game in Great Britain. It is the oldest of all the English seaside clubs with the exception of Wesward Ho! in Devon, which was established just a few years earlier. Nonetheless, the Club was established in 1869, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2019, marking it with the Walker Cup, which made its last appearance in 1983. With a long history, The Royal Liverpool Golf Club has constantly altered its perception of the club itself, the course and the environment, with significant sustainability developments being made to the club on an ongoing basis, it has gained respect for its environmentally conscious attitude to water restrictions. Please note that the maximum handicap for playing guests is 21 for men and 32 for women. Various images supplied by Gary Lisbon.
Royal Liverpool Golf Club is set to host the 151st Open Championship in 2023. Voyages.golf is an authorised provider for The Open 2023 and 2024. The famous venue at Hoylake, on England’s west coast, has hosted the tournament several times, and 2023 will mark the first Open return to the championship golf course in nine years, the last time was when Rory McIlroy won the notorious Claret Jug. The golf course is not far from Royal Birkdale Golf Club, another of the Open Rota’s venues and near Liverpool city. Images courtesy of Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
The Royal Liverpool Golf Club first opened in 1869 and was used as both a golf course and horse racecourse. The course has undergone significant changes be legendary golf course designers over the years. It was originally designed by Robert Chalmers and George Morris (the brother of Old Tom), before being extended 2 years after opening from nine to eighteen holes. Harry S. Colt reshaped the course in the 1920s, and more recently Donald Steel lengthened the course in preparation for the 2006 Open Championship, which was held at Hoylake after an absence of almost forty years. The other changes he made included numerous new tees, bunkers, greens, and an all-new 18th hole.
The Royal Liverpool Golf Course is built on compact sandy soil as with a traditional sea-side links layout consisting of an out-to-back structure that has its 9th hole a long way away from the clubhouse. The course is situated next to the Dee estuary with pot bunkers cunningly straddling fairways and imposing on greens. The rolling terrain makes golf-ball lies precarious at the best of times, whilst thinning the ball into the long fescue grass will result in a severely disrupted scorecard. The strongest feature of the golf course doesn’t lie in a standalone signature hole, the course is better viewed holistically as a chain of undulating golf holes with vivacious greens and a series of lethal depressions that lead to deep pot bunkers.
Golfers looking for a challenge should play the course twice, one of a fair-weather day, and another on a windy and wet day to understand how timeless links-play both has evolved and endured the last 200 years in golf, which is a testament to the designers and club that it has retained its classic links feel whilst remaining an Open rota course.
Clubhouse
Built in 1895, the Royal Liverpool clubhouse has admirably stood the test of time. Some features have gone – there was once a balcony overlooking the putting green – and others have arrived. In time for the return to Hoylake of The Open in 2006, refurbishment and a substantial extension, at a cost of £2 million, overhauled the Locker Room and created space for a Reception area, substantial Professional’s Shop and the Club Library and Meeting Room. This ensured that the building was truly fit for championships, and even more attractive to members and visitors alike.
Golf Shop
The Pro Shop has a fantastic array of equipment from general golf clothes to waterproof outerwear, to clubs, shoes, hats and accessories. There is also clothing, and kit emblazoned with the Royal Liverpool crest.
Lounge & Spike Bar
The Lounge & Spike Bar has been given a complete makeover and is the ideal place to prepare for your round or relax afterwards. You can enjoy drinks, breakfast bites or a bar snack meal and enjoy the views across the course with the putting green in the foreground.
Practice Facilities
The Royal Liverpool practice facilities are available to visitors and consist of both a short and long game areas, with practice balls offered with the club’s compliments. There is also a large practice putting green in front of the clubhouse.
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