Royal Liverpool GC

Liverpool has much to celebrate thanks to its recent honour of European Capital of Culture for 2008 and the return of the Open Championship to Royal Liverpool in 2006 after a 40 year absence.

Stepping from the fine old clubhouse onto the course, your first impressions are of total flatness. But don't start thinking this is a tame old course, ideal for a gentle knock around with an elderly playing partner. What lies beyond is one of the most demanding golfing examinations the world has to offer.

The course winds its way through some intriguingly varied holes - the blind tee shot on the 6th for example requires blind faith in the marker post before you arrive at the 9th hole for a testing four-hole stretch along the Dee estuary. But the course never really lets up right through to the final hole. The 18th fairway is littered with bunkers in the narrow hitting zone and the green is set up for a shortish approach. Getting home with a par isn't easy especially when the wind blows.

Best Hole: The final tee shot requires accuracy and nerve - finish in a fairway bunker and you risk bringing a good score to an untidy end.

Green Fees: £100 weekdays, £130 weekends including lunch

Tel: 0151 6323101

Web: www.royal-liverpool-golf.com

Thinking about a trip to England's Golf Coast? Click here for the Total Golf guide to the area