Formby Golf Club

Formby Golf Club’s location means it faces stiff competition from some of the best courses in England, including Birkdale, Hillside and West Lancs – but it’s more than a match for any of them.

To more than one of our panellists, Formby is the finest course on ‘England’s Golf Coast’.

When you consider that, obviously, Birkdale sits in Southport – not to mention Hillside, West Lancs and S&A – it illustrates how good this distinctive links is.

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It ought to be inked on any itinerary to this area as a result of the variety and history it offers. It is proof, along with the likes of Portmarnock and Monifieth, that tall pine trees can sit comfortably on classic links. Indeed, to many of us, they enhance them.

Formby is a links-heathland hybrid, a description which should require no further encouragement to go there; what could possibly be unattractive about such a rare but attractive combination?

COURSE REVIEW: Hillside Golf Club

And then you add in the fact it has been touched by a combination of Park, Colt, Braid, Hawtree and Steel.

Stellar land and brilliant golf brains makes for a predictably good course.

It is played in an anti-clockwise direction around the also-outstanding Formby Ladies, and is a welcome change in pace from the sixth-gear fare of the likes of Birkdale and Hillside.

COURSE REVIEW: Royal Birkdale Golf Club

It also has significant pedigree, having hosted the most illustrious Amateur Championship final in modern times, when Jose Maria Olazabal defeated Colin Montgomerie in the 1984 final. It also hosted the 2004 Curtis Cup, with Paula Creamer and Michelle Wie on the victorious US side.

Like S&A, it’s often under-appreciated – but not by us, and expect it to thrive in our expanded spectrum of rankings.

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• Course has: Bar
• Course does not have: Buggy Hire
• Course has: Driving Range
• Course does not have: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course does not have: Dress Code
• Course does not have: Club Hire
• Course does not have: Handicap

• 1.5 out of 5 revisited 21 November 2010

  By garyfoz

  On our last visit to the club (of which we usually make many during the winter) all that could go wrong went wrong not entirely all their fault but the customer service wasn't the best

• 4.5 out of 5 Formby 28 August 2009

  By garyfoz

  Not much needs to be said about Formby except go play it for me its on a par with Hillside,West Lancs and the rest

• 4 out of 5 quality 12 November 2008

  By lexo

  really good, the 7th, 8th + 9th rank among some of the best holes you will play. ps watch out for the hippo inthe clubhouse !

• 4.5 out of 5 Best Greens 27 March 2008

  By johnnylong

  They were doing some work on the course the day when we played but didn't spoil our enjoyment of the course. They do a great winter package here for visitors of £40 with bacon roll and sandwiches and soup. Being a final Qualifying course for the open means its not going to be a bad course. The greens here are amazing and you don't really expect the fairways being lined with big pine trees. As with the other courses in the area like Birkdale, Hillside and S&A this area is really a golfing jewell

• 4 out of 5 Lovely Outing 14 April 2007

  By 2tone

  1st time playing the course and thought it was in fab condition for the time of year. Played with a member and rates were fab.The greens were lightening quick and not 1 hole similar to others. Fav hole has to be the par 4 7th - narrow fairway dog-leg right to raised green. Defo in my top 10 holes played (and played some great courses in Europe e.g monte mayor,Portal,St Andrews). Looking forward to my next visit.