West Lancashire Golf Club: Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info

West Lancashire Golf Club Key Information

West Lancs, as it is commonly known, has retained an unchallenged spot in our Top 100 Golf Courses UK & Ireland rankings from the outset.

This renowned course at Blundellsands north of Liverpool lies among a concentrated cluster making up one of the UK’s finest stretches of links golf from The Wirral up to Southport. When I first played it, I immediately understood where it got its reputation for toughness from on a 1st hole that demanded pretty much everything I had into a freshening breeze.

It is the oldest club in Lancashire, and one of the ten oldest in England, boasting a history inextricably intertwined with Royal Liverpool’s. The club started out in 1873, when seven Royal Liverpool members decided golf should cross the Mersey and the two clubs even shared memberships in the early years.

West Lancs has has staged many top events, co-hosting the Amateur Championship in 2009 with Formby. It has also hosted Final Qualifying for several Royal Birkdale, Royal Lytham and Royal Liverpool Opens.

The holes roll naturally across the superb links terrain, with views of the Mersey Estuary and across to the mountains of Wales.

West Lancs can be as stern a test as you could want when the wind is up, starting from that very first hole I mentioned earlier, a long dogleg right where both the apex of the corner and the narrow green are well-bunkered.

The 3rd, at 159 yards, might appear to offer some respite, but don’t be fooled. It is normally played in a crosswind to a must-hit green surrounded by a swale and four bunkers.

Therein lies the West Lancs challenge, for few holes give anything up willingly, even those that appear to bring hope on the scorecard. The 7th – christened ‘Folly’ - is a case in point, a dogleg right that might tempt long hitters downwind (and even less long hitters like myself on my last outing here). But as its name suggests, miscues will be severely dealt with, and even if you do get near the tiny green, its steep run-offs may yet deny you that longed-for birdie.

Coming home, the 12th and 13th stand out, first an excellent par 3 where you must take enough club to clear two deep pot bunkers in the front bank. Then a wonderful dogleg par 4 from an exposed tee, where your drive must be both long and far enough right to bring the tiny green into range and view.

West Lancs delivers a sometimes uncompromising yet fair test and epitomises British seaside golf, with humps and hollows, raised greens, coastal dunes and of course, an adjacent railway line.

What's new for 2025/26? What our panellists said…

Jason Eaton

The condition of the course was impressive for a links in August, even if it had been fortunate with rain in the weeks prior to playing rather than the summer burnt-out look, which can happen at this time of year. This was the only top course I had not played in this area over the years so I was surprised just how good it was. It exceeded the expectations of a reviewer who has played 77 of the Golf Monthly Top 100. 

Mark Rollins

Was I wowed and does the experience live forever in the memory? No. The course has 18 good holes but only a short stretch that I can easily remember a couple of months later. But would I readily go back? Yes. West Lancs is a truly historic club, challengingly laid out as nature intended, with modern facilities and a warm welcome. It should be played more than once. Natural links golf at its finest.

West Lancashire Golf Club location

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West Lancashire Golf Club Course Scorecard

Best Courses Near West Lancashire Golf Club

FORMBY
On a coastline packed with top-drawer golf, Formby is one of the very best with the bonus that it contains elements of both links and heathland. A superb and very distinctive combination of styles. Founded in 1884, this forward-thinking club is also future-proofing its original course, which was redesigned by Willie Park Junior in the early 20th-century before further Braid, Colt and Donald Steel changes.

SOUTHPORT & AINSDALE
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. Significant works have been ongoing to make improvements to the course, both from an aesthetic and playing point of view.

Best Places To Stay Near West Lancashire Golf Club

Aberley House, Liverpool - Book now at Booking.com
Aberley House provides accommodation with free WiFi, BBQ facilities, free bikes and free private parking just 500 yards from Crosby Beach and a couple of miles from West Lancs Golf Club. It offers options for à la carte, continental or full English/Irish breakfasts.

The Royal Hotel, Liverpool - Book now at Booking.com
Overlooking the Mersey Estuary, the Royal Hotel is less than three miles from West Lancs Golf club. It offers en suite bedrooms, free Wi-Fi and free parking plus excellent dining in its Marine View Restaurant. Rooms at The Royal have bathrooms with both baths and showers.

West Lancashire Golf Club Gallery

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WEST LANCASHIRE Golf Club HISTORICAL TOP 100 RANKING UK&I

• 2025/26 - 75
• 2023/24 - 77
• 2021/22 - 81
• 2019/20 - 79
• 2017/18 - 78
• 2015/16 - 79
• 2013/14 - 76
• 2011/12 - 77
• 2009/10 - 83

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