The Liverpool Golf Club was founded at Hoylake in 1869 on what was then the racecourse of the Liverpool Hunt Club and for the first seven years of the club’s existence the land was used for both golf and racing. The original saddling bell still hangs in the clubhouse and holes one and 18 are called Course and Stand respectively.

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 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.

BEYOND 19 RESERVATIONS

LIVERPOOL