Royal Liverpool Golf Club

Author: Visit Wirral

Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake has staged major tournaments throughout its long history including eleven Open Championships and many amateur events. The Club is proud that The Open Championship made a successful return to Hoylake in 2006 when Tiger Woods achieved his third victory. The Club is always pleased to welcome visiting golfers to the Links and to the Clubhouse where our impressive heritage collection is on display.

The Royal Liverpool course at Hoylake started life as the racecourse of the Liverpool Hunt Club, set on the shores of the Dee and with the Welsh hills in the distance. As a reminder of its previous life, the original saddling bell is displayed among the memorabilia in the clubhouse.

The golf course was built in 1869 and, with the exception of Westward Ho! in Devon, is the oldest seaside course in England. It is also one of the great links courses.

The club is a place of firsts: the first Amateur Championship in 1885; the first international match between England and Scotland in 1902; the first international between Great Britain and the United States in 1921, now known as the Walker Cup.

Although the Club has hosted many great events and many a famous golfing hero has walked the fairways over the years, it is probably best known for its contribution to the amateur game and a place where amateurs feel at home. Aside from hosting the first Amateur Championship there have been other great golfing accomplishments. Harold Hilton, from neighbouring West Kirby, won The Amateur Championship four times and The Open in 1892 and 1897. Hoylake’s own John Ball won The Amateur Championship an amazing eight times, as well as The Open in 1890. By winning The Open at Hoylake in 1930, Bobby Jones secured a place in golf history by winning The Open and The Amateur Championship on both sides of the Atlantic in the same year to achieve his famous ‘Grand Slam’.

Whilst at first appearance the links may look flat, at 6,900 yards from the member’s tees it is a stern test and like all links courses, the wind makes its presence felt. The summer breeze can be your ally and the icy gale a ruthless adversary. All the holes require your utmost attention.

The Club hosted The Open Championship in 2014 with Rory McIlroy winning in a score of 271 (17 under par).