Royal Liverpool Golf Club

Excellent course, is one where you have to plot your way round rather than hitting driver everywhere. The greens were perfect when we played and look forward to seeing how the pros get on when The Open is here again. There are lots of other good courses in the area including Caldy and Heswall Golf Club so there are plenty to do if visiting the area for a golf tour.

Played with my 13 year old son on a Monday which the special offer day of £150 for the two of us as opposed to the normal fee of £150 for an adult and £75 junior the rest of the week. Im off 20 and he is off 13. The club recommends no one above a 21 handicap playing the course as its tight and tough and i would agree entirely with that. We played off the yellow tees (6466 yards) and apart from my son hitting a driver on the first neither of us used that club again as any shots missing the fairway and the first cut of rough which is only about 5 yards the balls would end up in deep rough. The course itself was very quiet for a monday afternoon with not more that about a dozen people on until the members started teeing off about 5ish. Some super holes both long and short and a cracking little par 4 (9th). Ironically stroke index 17 and 18 (8th and 14th) were two par fives and there was no way IMO these could have been nominated as the easiest two holes on the course- both were tough against the wind. The greens had many undulations and were as true as any course i have played on. Practice facilities were decent but nothing special Sampled the catering before the round and that was excellent. To sum up a lovely experience and on a par with Turnberry which we were fortunate enough to play earlier this year. I played ok first 9 but the rough started to beat me half way through the back 9 and my son went round in 86. We would hope to return soon

Golf doesn't come much better than this in my opinion. This superbly golf course is everything which a links course should be and obvious why so many select it during a trip to this part of the world. I've played lots of courses in the area and think this is without doubt one of the best there is. It isn't particuarly long but requires real skill on the way round to ensure your ball stays in the right position to get the right angle into the green. The first is also a great hole, I hit two 1 irons to get it onto the putting surface! The 15th is also an excellent hole with a good birdie opportunity if the wind is following. We paid £65 in April for our green fee and thought this was excellent value.

Played at Hoylake on Aug 25, 2009 and what a terrific treat. This is a fine club that has friendly staff and excellent food. We made a day of it in good weather, and while unable to shoot my handicap, had a good day with 86. Quite challenging since some open work, it plays very long at times against the prevailing wind, but some holes open up for good chances at par or birdie. Excellent maintenance, greens very true. Highly reccomend you give this course a try if you can get to Merseyside.

Hoylake is a great course and will be a fantastic venue for the '06 Open. The 1st hole makes for an interesting start to the round, with OOB running down the entire right side. The 17th is a classic strong par 4. It is however interesting to note that the 18th is stroke index #16 and will need to be toughened up in time for the Open. A top quality course with plenty of history and a friendly feel amongst members etc.

Whilst Royal Liverpool proved to be an enjoyable day out, the day was somewhat spoiled by the unfortunate attitude of the Secretary, Group Captain Chris Moore. Whilst acknowledging there had been a slight mix up over the arrangements, he offered no apology and appeared most unhelpful. His attitude is perhaps evident in the fact that he could be seen throughout the afternoon in the gentlemens bar, considering this to be of greater importance than visitors who pay not inconsiderable sums, both in transport and green fees.

A wonderfull experience to play one of the most prestigious and influential clubs in english golf. The history of the club provides an atmosphere that only the truely great clubs posses with the course proving both a supreme test but a fair challenge, one of the worlds best links with a different challenge on every hole. A definate must play, stands out with Birkdale and St Georges as the cream of English golf.

If you like tradition and looking at big shiny cups in display cabinets then you will like this course. Apart from that it is very flat and very boring, for this part of the world you can do so much better try Hillside or Royal Birkdale for a great day out instead.