Hoylake (Royal Liverpool) Golf Course
We get the best tee timesPTS Protected · ATOL for flightsSince 1981 · 4.9★ on GoogleA specialist replies promptly
Where to stay while you play Hoylake (Royal Liverpool) Golf Course
3 hotels package this course — cheapest first, every one tailored to your group.
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Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa Hotel
Golf at Hoylake (Royal Liverpool) Golf Course
Stay & play — from
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Carden Park Hotel
Golf at Hoylake (Royal Liverpool) Golf Course
Stay & play — from
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Malmaison Liverpool
Golf at Hoylake (Royal Liverpool) Golf Course
Stay & play — fromAbout Hoylake (Royal Liverpool) Golf Course
Hoylake is the leading golf club in Merseyside, North West England. It was founded in 1869 on what was then the racecourse of the Liverpool Hunt Club, and received its Royal designation in 1871.
Harry Colt, one of the world's leading golf course architects, redesigned the course early in the 20th century, and it has since been tweaked periodically, mainly as a response to advances in equipment.
Many comments have been made over the years about the quality and toughness of the links. The legendary golf writer Bernard Darwin's quote: "Hoylake, blown upon by mighty winds, breeder of mighty champions" highlights one of the course's key defences.
The wind was conspicuous by its absence during the benign Open week in 2006. However, such was winner Tiger Woods respect for the need for strategic play at Hoylake that he only hit his driver once during the tournament, with the course baked out due to dry conditions, and playing very fast. The course is mostly level, but the holes nearest the coast run through sandhills.
- Open venue
- Play alongside Royal Birkdale, Hillside and Southport and Ainsdale
- Harry Colt course
- Buggies - Limited amount available, we can reserve these for you
- Trolleys
Photos by Kevin Murray and Royal Liverpool Golf Club
Our take
This is Open Championship ground, flat as the racecourse it grew out of, and matches here are settled at the 16th and the 18th.
- Serious golfersHarry Colt's redesign has been nipped and tucked over the years to keep up with modern equipment, and it holds up. Barely 14 metres of climb all round, so nothing tires you except the pressure of the 16th and 18th.
- Higher handicapsFlat underfoot and fair off the tee, but the sea breeze blows most days and the 16th and 18th give up nothing. Pick forward tees, flight the ball low, and accept a five at the last without shame.
- Buddy tripsA pilgrimage round to build a North West links trip around. Flat as it comes, so 36 holes in a day is realistic, and whoever leads the match on the 16th tee should stay nervous.
Tell us who’s coming and how you like to play, and we’ll shape the right trip around you.
What you are actually facing
The walk. Flat, and an easy walk — 14 metres of climb over the round.
The wind. The wind is usually westerly, averaging 16 km/h, gusting to 52. It is the club selection that catches people out, not the yardage.
The water. 4 hazards in play. Bring a few more balls than you think you need.
The design. Robert Chambers & George Morris (original, 1869/1871); later redesigned by Harry Colt, with modifications by Fred Hawtree, Donald Steel, Martin Hawtree and Martin Ebert.
The holes that will cost you. The 16th, the 18th and the 5th. The 16th is the one you will be talking about afterwards.
Hole by hole — how we would play it
Terrain and prevailing-weather data, read hole by hole. It is our own assessment of how the course plays, not an official course or slope rating.
The course at a glance
Open Championship host
WHERE TO STAY
Places to stay while you play Hoylake (Royal Liverpool) Golf Course
Base yourself near the course — every venue here includes Hoylake (Royal Liverpool) Golf Course in your golf holiday.
Tap a hotel to open it, or zoom in on the satellite view to see how close each one sits to the first tee.
- Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa HotelFrom
£300pp (≈ €345) (≈ $395) (≈ CA$565) (≈ AU$575) (≈ NZ$685) (≈ CHF 325) (≈ kr 3,845) (≈ kr 3,845) (≈ kr 2,605) - Carden Park HotelFrom
£345pp (≈ €395) (≈ $455) (≈ CA$645) (≈ AU$655) (≈ NZ$785) (≈ CHF 375) (≈ kr 4,415) (≈ kr 4,425) (≈ kr 3,005) - Malmaison LiverpoolFrom
£455pp (≈ €525) (≈ $605) (≈ CA$855) (≈ AU$865) (≈ NZ$1,035) (≈ CHF 495) (≈ kr 5,825) (≈ kr 5,835) (≈ kr 3,955)
Hoylake (Royal Liverpool) Golf Course: your questions answered
Is Hoylake the same as Royal Liverpool?
Yes, the two names refer to the same club. Royal Liverpool Golf Club is commonly called Hoylake, and you will see both names used interchangeably by golfers. The club was founded in 1869 on what was then the racecourse of the Liverpool Hunt Club, and it received its Royal designation two years later, in 1871.
Is Royal Liverpool worth playing?
Yes, if you want a serious championship links rather than a gentle holiday round. Hoylake's reputation, built over many years, rests on the quality and toughness of the course, and it rewards golfers who enjoy a hard test. Fair warning: higher handicappers can still have a great day here, but should expect to work for their score.
Who designed the course at Royal Liverpool?
The original layout was by Robert Chambers and George Morris when the club was founded in 1869. Harry Colt, one of the leading golf course architects of his era, redesigned it early in the 20th century, and the links has since been refined by Fred Hawtree, Donald Steel, Martin Hawtree and Martin Ebert. Today it plays as a par 72 over 18 holes.
Has Royal Liverpool hosted the Open Championship?
Yes, Royal Liverpool is an Open Championship venue. It is the leading golf club in Merseyside, and the course is a traditional links whose quality and toughness have drawn comment over many years. Walking fairways the professionals have contested the Open on is a big part of the draw for visiting golfers.
How much does a golf break at Royal Liverpool cost?
We price Royal Liverpool as part of a hand-built golf break rather than off a fixed rate card, so the cost depends on your dates, group size and where you stay in North West England. Green fees are built into the package price, quoted per person. Enquiries are free with no payment or obligation, and your quote arrives by email.
Can I book a tee time at Royal Liverpool through Golf Planet Holidays?
Yes. A named golf specialist plans your trip, books the tee times at Hoylake, including hard-to-get ones, and arranges transfers between your hotel and the course. Golf Planet Holidays has been hand-building golf trips since 1981, is rated 4.9 on Google and is PTS protected. Trips are ground-only, with flights available as an optional add-on, ATOL protected where included.