Should you skip Birkdale and Hoylake?

[David Davis]

That's kind of like heading to New York area and suggesting to skip Beth Page Black and Winged Foot or Baltusrol.


Some might say yes but perhaps only if you instead can choose between, Friars Head, Shinnicock and NGLA.


So if the other choice is Royal Cinque Ports, Royal St. Georges and Rye or North Berwick, Gullane 1 and Muirfield etc then you might have a serious question on your hands.


Otherwise it would be ridiculous to skip those courses, but they should also try to hit Lytham, Hillside and Formby while there.

[Jon Wiggett]

Otherwise it would be ridiculous to skip those courses, but they should also try to hit Lytham, Hillside and Formby while there.

True David,


I would also add West Lancs and St. Annes Old to the list.

[jeffwarne]

Otherwise it would be ridiculous to skip those courses, but they should also try to hit Lytham, Hillside and Formby while there.

True David,


I would also add West Lancs and St. Annes Old to the list.

anyone played Fairhaven?

[Michael Graham]

Otherwise it would be ridiculous to skip those courses, but they should also try to hit Lytham, Hillside and Formby while there.

True David,


I would also add West Lancs and St. Annes Old to the list.

anyone played Fairhaven?

Jeff,


I was going to ask that exact same question. I tried to book a tee time at Fairhaven a couple years ago when I was planning a trip down to the Lancashire coast. I thought I could squeeze it in before or after Lytham - unfortunately they couldn't accommodate me due to a competition. I hope to play it the next time I'm down that way. I don't think I've ever read any posts on GCA about the course.

[ward peyronnin]

First of all I echo comments about Hoylake history; this is probably the second most hallowed ground in golf after TOC. The club has three amateur members who were Champion Golfers: Hilton, B Jones, Ball and the club history book is fascinating. Additionally the Walker Cup is there this year so conditioning and spring in the step factor is an attraction

I have expressed my underwhelming at Lythem so no comment.

W Lancashire is very welcoming and a OTM course from 1873 and you won't play anything like it. Formby very very good and Wallasye is a hoot with some newer disappointing holes the only buzzkill for the great dunescape routing.

Closer to the airport if routing/time works is the marvelous Herbert Fowler creation Delamere Forest which is the whole package. A  charming tastefully appointed little clubhouse. Fine fescue practices ala Lorne Smith overseen by Alister Biggs of the R&A and their super. And a brawny wild packed with variety headland style course.  Luv it.
 

[Jon Wiggett]

Jeff, Michael,


Fairhaven is a nice enough course and certainly worth a trip but not ahead of Formby, Hillside, St. Annes Old. Lytham Green Drive is of a similar standard.


Jon

[Michael Graham]

Thanks John. I was trying to add Fairhaven to our itinerary of: Lytham, West Lancs, S&A, Hillside and Formby. I thought it would be interesting to see something slightly away from the coast alongside all the links courses we played. I played with the head pro at Blairgowrie a couple of years ago, he had been an assistant pro at Fairhaven earlier in his career and had some good stories about the club. I’ll hopefully see it in person one day.

[jeffwarne]

W Lancashire is very welcoming and a OTM course from 1873 and you won't play anything like it. Formby very very good and Wallasye is a hoot with some newer disappointing holes the only buzzkill for the great dunescape routing.

agreed about the others-tell us more about West Lancashire "you won't play anything like it" is intriguing

[Thomas Dai]

Play the 18-hole course at Formby Ladies Club. It’s adjacent/within the same complex as Formby GC. Not only is FLGC course damn fine golf with plenty of challenge and fun but it’s an opportunity to learn something. Bit like you can at many a major venue/clubs ‘other’ course.
Atb