Working on courses for 2025 trip. Best 4 between West Lancs, Formby, Hillside, Southport & Ainsdale, and Wallesey?

[hammergolf]

Starting plans for my groups 2025 trip. We’re going to be in Southport and will play Birkdale, Lytham & St. Anne’s, and Hoylake. Looking to add 4 more courses and would appreciate any input.

[tad950]

Only played West Lancashire, Formby, and Hillside. I thought they were all very strong. They looked and played differently, to me anyway. 

[hammergolf]

17 minutes ago, tad950 said:

Only played West Lancashire, Formby, and Hillside. I thought they were all very strong. They looked and played differently, to me anyway. 

Thanks!

[tad950]

Lytham was my favorite. I thought it had the best greens complexes. Played Birkdale in the pouring rain. Attacked by midgies (sp?) at Hoylake.

[hammergolf]

48 minutes ago, tad950 said:

Lytham was my favorite. I thought it had the best greens complexes. Played Birkdale in the pouring rain. Attacked by midgies (sp?) at Hoylake.

I’m really looking forward to it. This trip will complete The Open rota for me. What time of year were you there?

[IvanDrago]

I’ve played them all except formby. All really good.

 

Id recommend West Lancs, Hillside, Southport and Ainsdale, an St Anne’s Old Links

[El Gringo]

I would definitely play Formby and S&A. For me Formby is the best course in the area. If Wallasey has finished their work I would add it as a play. Otherwise, play the other two courses which work best logistically.

 

I would suggest you strongly consider playing Formby Ladies. I prefer it to a few of your options.

[tad950]

7 hours ago, hammergolf said:

I’m really looking forward to it. This trip will complete The Open rota for me. What time of year were you there?

August.

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, tad950 said:

August.

We’re going in October so maybe the bugs won’t be an issue. The rain however probably will be…. 😉

[hammergolf]

6 hours ago, El Gringo said:

I would definitely play Formby and S&A. For me Formby is the best course in the area. If Wallasey has finished their work I would add it as a play. Otherwise, play the other two courses which work best logistically.

 

I would suggest you strongly consider playing Formby Ladies. I prefer it to a few of your options.

Thanks for the advice. 

[hammergolf]

7 hours ago, IvanDrago said:

I’ve played them all except formby. All really good.

 

Id recommend West Lancs, Hillside, Southport and Ainsdale, an St Anne’s Old Links

Thank you for the advice!

[hammergolf]

11 hours ago, El Gringo said:

I would definitely play Formby and S&A. For me Formby is the best course in the area. If Wallasey has finished their work I would add it as a play. Otherwise, play the other two courses which work best logistically.

 

I would suggest you strongly consider playing Formby Ladies. I prefer it to a few of your options.

The good news is we are staying in Southport so not too much driving.

[Chanceman]

Hesketh is also fun. It’s on Cockle Dick Lane.

[hammergolf]

On 4/11/2024 at 3:02 AM, El Gringo said:

I would definitely play Formby and S&A. For me Formby is the best course in the area. If Wallasey has finished their work I would add it as a play. Otherwise, play the other two courses which work best logistically.

 

I would suggest you strongly consider playing Formby Ladies. I prefer it to a few of your options.

Which course may be the easier of the bunch? We will play a round the morning we land, so which one would you suggest?

[El Gringo]

47 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

Which course may be the easier of the bunch? We will play a round the morning we land, so which one would you suggest?

Ladies might be best. It’s short and a good walk. However, it ain’t easy if there is some wind. The course is a bit tight with a lot of gorse. The layup off the tee can be your friend 😎. Don’t let the club name deceive you. 

Edited April 13 by El Gringo

[Schley]

On 4/11/2024 at 3:43 PM, tad950 said:

August.

You will really have a wonderful trip. I'm going in June with 7 other guys. Only addition is a drive up to Siloth on Solway which isn't close, but never been and the group wanted to play.

[Pastit]

1 hour ago, Schley said:

You will really have a wonderful trip. I'm going in June with 7 other guys. Only addition is a drive up to Siloth on Solway which isn't close, but never been and the group wanted to play.

Should you get a nice day it’s a scenic drive from West Lancs to Siloth. Partly through the Lake District fells; even if it’s a 3-lane motorway. Siloth being a famous old links, infamous for wind. 

[hammergolf]

3 hours ago, Pastit said:

Should you get a nice day it’s a scenic drive from West Lancs to Siloth. Partly through the Lake District fells; even if it’s a 3-lane motorway. Siloth being a famous old links, infamous for wind. 

I will take a look at adding that as I’ve seen videos of the course and it looks amazing. My guys don’t mind time in the van.

[Pastit]

33 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

I will take a look at adding that as I’ve seen videos of the course and it looks amazing. My guys don’t mind time in the van.

I would, it’s a fiddly drive from the West Lancs coast to the M6 Motorway but once north of Preston traffic will be light.  Bit fiddly at the Siloth end too but 2.5 hrs should do it.  
 

There’s a U.K. leading hotel, Sharrow Bay, Howtown, Ullswater if you want a 5-star meal. I was their salmon supplier. 

Edited Saturday at 01:22 PM by Pastit
Spelling

[thecumbrian]

4 hours ago, hammergolf said:

I will take a look at adding that as I’ve seen videos of the course and it looks amazing. My guys don’t mind time in the van.

I'm biased as a Silloth on Solway member but it's a class track and well worth the trip. We fly very much under the radar being so isolated from other quality courses. 

 

Course is currently in great shape

considering how wet the last several months have been and it's drying out rapidly now. Very playable course if you hit it straight but will eat you for breakfast if you are offline, especially when it's windy which it invariably is.

 

 

Green fee's are stupidly cheap for a course of this quality and most visitors take advantage of the fact the green fee is for the day so play 36 holes. Fairly easy for visitors to get a tee time, contact club secretary a few weeks ahead and it won't be a problem.

 

Be aware this is a very old fashioned links there are several blind shots but to my mind they add to the experience of the course and they are only truly blind the first time you play the hole.

 

It's rare you will find a level stance on the fairway due to the nature of the terrain, if its a dry spell it will be extremely fiery as there is no fairway watering. When it's like this it's absolutely superb in my mind.

 

On a clear day the views are superb, particularly on the 4th,5th and 9th tees.

 

Finally, members are a friendly bunch and always happy to have visitors discover our wonderful course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[hammergolf]

41 minutes ago, thecumbrian said:

I'm biased as a Silloth on Solway member but it's a class track and well worth the trip. We fly very much under the radar being so isolated from other quality courses. 

 

Course is currently in great shape

considering how wet the last several months have been and it's drying out rapidly now. Very playable course if you hit it straight but will eat you for breakfast if you are offline, especially when it's windy which it invariably is.

 

 

Green fee's are stupidly cheap for a course of this quality and most visitors take advantage of the fact the green fee is for the day so play 36 holes. Fairly easy for visitors to get a tee time, contact club secretary a few weeks ahead and it won't be a problem.

 

Be aware this is a very old fashioned links there are several blind shots but to my mind they add to the experience of the course and they are only truly blind the first time you play the hole.

 

It's rare you will find a level stance on the fairway due to the nature of the terrain, if its a dry spell it will be extremely fiery as there is no fairway watering. When it's like this it's absolutely superb in my mind.

 

On a clear day the views are superb, particularly on the 4th,5th and 9th tees.

 

Finally, members are a friendly bunch and always happy to have visitors discover our wonderful course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for the reply.

[jdpilot]

You can’t go wrong with any of your options; however, S&A would probably fall 5th on my preference list. That by no means is indicative of the caliber of the course, it’s just up against 4 other really great options.

 

Also, I would highly recommend staying at the Dormy House at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. They have packages that include breakfast, golf, and dinner. It’s a real treat staying there.

[hammergolf]

7 hours ago, jdpilot said:

You can’t go wrong with any of your options; however, S&A would probably fall 5th on my preference list. That by no means is indicative of the caliber of the course, it’s just up against 4 other really great options.

 

Also, I would highly recommend staying at the Dormy House at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. They have packages that include breakfast, golf, and dinner. It’s a real treat staying there.

Thx for the input. We are a group of 8 so we’re renting a house in Southport. You’re right, I’m having a hard time trying to narrow the list. They all look so good.