Royal Lytham and St. Annes Golf Club

Been lucky enough to hack round Turnberry, Royal Liverpool, Carnoustie, PGA Gleneagles and Birkdale over the last couple of years with my 15 year old son who plays off 4 and today tackled Royal Lytham accompanied by a slight rain and a stiff wind and this course was as tough as it gets. Played off the green tees (6400) and the course played every yard and well beyond that yardage. Some really cracking holes including the 17th- imo toughest hole by a mile and some shorter par 4s with blind shots 10th & 16th. Only the 13th hole was a little lacking a decent tee shot would leave a very short iron in. The fairways and greens were fantastic A great day and wonderful clubhouse with fine catering facilities. Not cheap but this is a golfers course and any decent golfer should attempt this course. Of the other courses mentioned above I suggest mid to high handicappers can work their way round the course if they are hitting the ball decently, Here you HAVE TO be on your game

I was lucky enough to play Royal Lytham & St Annes after seeing the course weeks previously on the TV while the Open was on and what an experience it was! The course was still in excellent shape considering all the traffic it had over the course of the Open. Greens were like glass, fairways were firm and fast running and the bunkers were divine...difficult to avoid and escape but divine nonetheless! From the tees this course is challenging and I must say a touch on the uninspiring side but once your ball is safely in play the course's true quality bubbles to the surface. The greens and the areas surrounding them provide the main challenge - if you can keep your ball out of the long stuff and in the fairway that is - with cleverly designed run off areas and, of course, the devilish pot bunkers providing ample protection. As with all of the great links courses, the weather is a determining factor when it comes to your score and again, like all of the greats, Lytham provides you with options and encourages you to play a variety of shots...this is certainly not a case of simple, boring grip it and rip it golf. If you appreciate a real test of golf and a bit of subtlety in the design and playability of a course then this is a must. That's 4 out of the 9 Open Championship courses ticked off my list and Royal Lytham & St Annes held its own with Turnberry, Royal St Georges and the St Andrews Old Course...that says it all...a must play course for any hardcore golfer.

played on 23/4 2012, with all bunkers in play in preperation for the open what a challenge. As stated in other reviews stay out of the bunkers and you will score well. Greens ran true and a dream to putt on.8th and 9th holes real gems. Playing down the 18th surrounded by grandstands makes it feel alot tighter. Well worth the money it cost, clubhouse food good and service great. A pleasure to play, slight breeze made it easier.

Play this course on a benign, sunny day, avoiding the bunkers and steering clear of the rough and you will wonder what all the fuss is about. If you're in the mid-handicap range, you might even come in with seven or eight pars and think "great greens, great clubhouse, great history, why's this a championship course though?" But if the wind blows, or when it rains, or if you're having an off day from the tee, then you are going to suffer. If you go in a buker, jus get it our and take your medicine. At certain times, that rough can kill you. Keep your eye on where it goes. And play for the centre of the greens. They are so true, once you are on them if you find the right line, you will hole the putt. Miss the green and you are dead. For me, the killer hole is 15. It's a big drive, with bunkers everywhere, followed by an approach, with bunkers everywhere. Not impossible but very, very difficult. And a word to the wise: on the 8th, don't miss the green left. I don't care what the cost is, this is a course you must play before you die.

I played Royal Lytham this week, what a treat! Very tough off the tee, especially early in the round and late in the round. 4 holes really stick in your mind, 8,9,17 and of course 18. The course was in superb condition the greens had been overseeded but still rolled smooth and pretty fast. The bunkers are a real feature of this course as is the fashion with all Open Championship courses, steer clear of them and you will more than likely shoot a good score, find them and you will probably be putting N/R on your card! I thoroughly enjoyed the course and would recommend it to ALL golfers, it`s really nice to be able to walk in the footsteps of past legends of the game.

Played as a member's guest in early August 2006, a few days after the Ladies' Britsh Open. Course was running fast and hard, despite overnight rain. Greens the fastest I have ever played upon. Played off the red, competition tees, c 6630 yds,in a c 25mph North West-wind. Despite driving the ball well, found the approach shots to greens intimidating. This club gives one a warm welcome and provies help in any direction. Well worth a visit, especially using the Dormy House. A visit in a mild autumn must be well worthwhile. Severe test of short game and anyone out of form and over 10 handicap might be best advised to play short of greens when there are no bunkers present there and then chip to pin.

Played the course last May.What a welcome we received.A club official showed us around the clubhouse and invited us to use any of the fantastic facilities available.The course itself was superb , especially the back nine which is a good test of golf in any conditions.The numerous bunkers should be avoided if anything like a good score is to be achieved.In short,a great course with a great atmosphere.

Awesome. This course is up there with the best I've played in the UK. The closing holes are of the highest quality and the 18th makes for a fantastic finish to the round. Very friendly pro shop and office staff. A great test of golf and a truly memorable day to be had.

I was impressed by the warm welcome we received and the practice facilties were first class. The course was in fantastic condition especially the greens which were the best I have ever experienced. The course is extremely difficult and very challenging especially in the wind. Try to stay clear of the bunkers (not easy) or they will wreck your scorecard. The back nine must be the most challenging in the world if the breeze is up and the sense of history you feel makes it an unforgetable experience.

Quite simply superb. The course was in excellent condition - the clubhouse was superb , the food was magnificent. Most important of all though you were made to feel welcome. Something that a lot of other courses charging massive green fees would do well to learn.

What a day. Pro Shop is superb. Richard was great. The course, what can I say. A wonderful cool November day. 30mph winds, great Sand traps. 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, I hope I make it back.Very Promising Course! Long, wide fairways - but you still have to be careful and not just hit big. Greens are superb even when played in winter ( as I have just done ) Definitely the best new course in the county. I found that the service was friendly, plenty of food choice and reasonably priced - and I was on a society, so I am suprised at other comments! I'm planning on popping back soon, probably when my course is shut due to flooding N Smith

A pleasure and honour to have played one of the finest golf courses of the world. A demanding test of golf, but with good golf management any golfer will enjoy the perfect course condition, layout, hospitallity and historic atmosphere of Royal Lytham and St. Annes Golf Club.

Royal Lytham surely has to be one of the finest courses anywhere.A combination of history,design,playability,toughness and character make this into a worthy open championship course.Admittely not for the faint hearted but you're guaranteed a warm Lancashire welcome from the members and staff.A must on any golfers list.