Hillside Golf Club: Course Review, Green Fees, Tee Times and Key Info

Hillside Golf Club Key Information

The 2019 British Masters hosted by Tommy Fleetwood showcased the quality of the layout at Hillside, with both players and fans singing the praises of the layout. The event was won by Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult. Hillside is one of the best courses in Lancashire.

Hillside is an unusual links in that many of the holes are framed by mature pine trees. The towering dunes that line the fairways, particularly on the back nine, are long established and the thick rough that covers them is brutal in places.

The course begins gently, with a short par 4 then a reachable par 5. The test mounts from the 3rd – a challenging par 4 with water short and right of the green. 

The front nine is excellent but it’s on the back nine though that Hillside really shines. In fact, in a letter to the club, Greg Norman has described the holes on the run for home as, “the best in Britain”.

The short par-3 10th takes you up and into the dunes, before the excellent par-5 11th sweeps to the left between the dunes then rises slightly to a sloping green backed by pine trees.

Elevated tees on the run in provide wonderful views to the Lake District in the north and Snowdonia in the south, but these shouldn’t distract from the sheer quality of the holes. The superb uphill 13th and par-5 17th are particular highlights.

Hillside Golf Club was founded in 1911, sharing its centenary with Golf Monthly this year. But the layout of the course as it plays today is more recent. Fred Hawtree completed an extensive redesign in the 1960s, with significant changes made to the back nine.

Martin Ebert of MacKenzie and Ebert oversaw a significant programme of improvements at Hillside over the winter of 2019/20. A good deal of work has been done to strengthen the course and it has been very successful.

What The Top 100 Panel Said

James Holland

A stunning design from start to finish.  The front nine is fantastic but the back is even better.  Almost every hole on the back nine is a wow moment. I’d heard that Hillside was good but I wasn’t expecting it to be that good.  Visually and from a playability point of view, it was almost perfect. I'd put Hillside ahead of any links that I’ve played that hasn’t hosted The Open.

Peter Hurst

I’ve never subscribed to the “great back 9” only, as I've always felt it's strong from the 5th. The view in front of the new tee on 5th is superb. They have part-introduced grass paths and this makes it look great. The condition and presentation is excellent throughout. The course is more than fair, but the teeth are always showing behind the lips and good straight driving will be well rewarded. There are different lengths on the par 4’s so you really go through the bag for all approaches.

Hillside Golf Club Location

Hillside Golf Club Green Fees

For more information on visiting Hillside Golf Club, go to the club's website

Hillside Golf Club Course Scorecard

Best Courses Near To Hillside Golf Club

ROYAL BIRKDALE

Since 1954 Royal Birkdale has hosted no fewer than ten Open Championships with the roll-call of victors including Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino and Tom Watson. The design ethos here has been to run the holes through the dunes rather than over them, the result being a very honest test that receives universal praise.

SOUTHPORT AND AINSDALE

Significant works have been ongoing to make improvements to the course, both from an aesthetic and playing point of view. A James Braid course dating from 1925, his design remains largely in place. There’s an eclectic selection of holes delivering an interesting blend of links and heathland – It’s a tough but fair layout.

For all the best courses in the area, check out our guide to the best golf courses in Lancashire.

Best Places to Stay Near Hillside Golf Club

The Vincent Hotel - Book now at Booking.com
This stylish 4-star boutique hotel has a 6th-floor gym and a relaxed restaurant with chic surroundings. The Vincent Hotel is on Southport's main shopping street. Just a couple of miles from Hillside.

Waterfront Hotel Southport - Book now at Booking.com
On Southport’s Promenade, the 4-star Waterfront Hotel Southport offers stylish rooms and a waterside terrace. The luxury hotel also has a modern fitness suite and an excellent restaurant.

Hillside Golf Club Course Gallery

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Hillside Golf Club Historical Top 100 Ranking UK&I

• 2023/24 - 31
• 2021/22 - 31
• 2019/20 - 34
• 2017/18 - 30
• 2015/16 - 30
• 2013/14 - 30
• 2011/12 - 32
• 2009/10 - 33

Frequently Asked Questions