Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club Key Information
A natural feeling links where extensive improvements in recent years have enhanced the offering.
The club welcomes visiting golfers and the clubhouse has all the facilities and history to provide a good base for a golf-day: A thoroughly enjoyable experience walking in the footsteps of many of the game’s greats.
S&A makes excellent use of the dunes with some raised tees (3rd, 17th), and the excellent par-3 8th playing on to a plateau green.
REASONS TO PLAY SOUTHPORT AND AINSDALE GOLF CLUB
– Historic venue, host to two Ryder Cups
– Characterful and unusual links with a touch of the heath about it
– Some highly memorable holes, none more so than the famous 16th "Gumbleys"
RANKINGS
UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2025/26 - 65
Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club has been a feature of our Top 100 golf courses UK&I for more than 20 years. It was founded in 1906 and it has hosted numerous prestigious elite competitions over the years. In both 1933 and 1937, the club welcomed the fledgling Ryder Cup. The latter event witnessed the first victory by the USA on British soil.
The course dates from 1925 and was the work of five-time Open champion and prolific course designer James Braid. His design remains largely unchanged. It's one of the best courses in Lancashire.
This is a very natural feeling links, that has just a touch of heath about it, set over undulating dune land that was previously used for grazing cows and sheep.
The course shows its teeth from the outset. The 1st is a challenging par 3 of almost 200 yards to a green guarded by nine bunkers. The front nine delivers an excellent and eclectic selection of holes from the very long, straightaway par-5 2nd to the testing par-3 8th. I think there's good variety. Just 150 yards to a plateau green, anything coming up short will roll back some 30 yards.
There’s no let up on the run for home. A great emphasis is placed on straight hitting from the tee and anything straying off-line tends to result in five minutes of forlorn trudging through treacherous rough.
The 16th is one of the most challenging and unusual holes you’ll find - It's certainly not one I ever get to grips with properly. A par 5 of just over 500 yards, “Gumbleys,” it looks innocuous on the card but the prospect from the tee is extremely intimidating. Your drive must find the fairway but it’s tough not to go left with the railway line waiting right. The second is then blind and over a huge sleepered bank.
If you manage to pick the correct line over the dune then this becomes a birdie chance, pick the wrong line and you’re in big trouble.
The green configuration of the 17th was altered back in 2018/19 by golf architect Marc Westenborg.
Some interesting further changes to the course in the last few years. – Gravel paths have been removed and turf pathways reinstated to match others on the course. Dunes have been slightly lowered on the 1st hole to create a better visual of the iconic green, and a substantial dune complex has been added on the 18th hole.
Gorse has been removed and sand areas opened up which has improved the aesthetics.
What the Top 100 Panel Said
My thoughts towards S&A are mixed, it’s a strong finish but I’m not a fan of the start with a par-3 and then a par-5. Picking the line off the tee can be a challenge particularly on the holes with heather. As a high single figure handicapper lost balls made the course feel unfair but it’s a true challenge for lower handicappers.
A hugely enjoyable affair and would be delighted to play the course again (with the blind shots easier next time surely). Standing on the first tee certainly provides a sense of occasion, especially given the deep history of the course as demonstrated by the memorabilia in the Ryder Cup Room. However, a five-and-a-half-hour round, mostly due to the impenetrable rough, lessened the enjoyment.
Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club Location
Best Courses Near to Southport And Ainsdale Golf Club
Best Places to Stay near Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club
The Vincent Hotel - Book now at Booking.com
This stylish 4-star boutique hotel has a 6th-floor gym and a relaxed restaurant with chic surroundings. The Vincent Hotel is on Southport's main shopping street. Just a couple of miles from Hillside.
Waterfront Hotel Southport - Book now at Booking.com
On Southport’s Promenade, the 4-star Waterfront Hotel Southport offers stylish rooms and a waterside terrace. The luxury hotel also has a modern fitness suite and an excellent restaurant.
Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club Course Gallery
Southport and Ainsdale Historical Top 100 Ranking UK&I
- 2025/26 - 65
- 2023/24 - 59
- 2021/22 - 62
- 2019/20 - 60
- 2017/18 - 66
- 2015/16 - 69
- 2013/14 - 64
- 2011/12 - 58
- 2009/10 - 50
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Southport and Ainsdale host the Ryder Cup?
The Club hosted the Ryder Cup matches of 1933 and 1937.
In 1933, Great Britain team won the competition by a score of 6.5 to 5.5 points. JH Taylor was captain of the home side and Walter Hagen captained the Americans.
In 1937 Walter Hagen was again captain of the USA against a GB team led by Charles Whitcombe. The US were the winners by 8-4. It was the first time the home side lost a Ryder Cup and the second of seven straight wins for the USA.
Is there a dress code at Southport and Ainsdale?
The club website gives the following information:
On the course or practice area, golfers are required to wear smart conventional golfing attire with spike or dimpled golf shoes. Shirts must be tucked in at the waist. Only tailored trousers or tailored knee length shorts are permitted. Shorts must be worn with knee length socks or short white sports socks.
Players must not wear any of the following:
any form of denim
trainers or open sandals
track suits
In the clubhouse, smart casual dress is allowed in all parts. All members, guests and visitors who have been playing on the links, are requested as a matter of courtesy to change from their playing apparel before using the Main Lounge and Dining Room. Please be aware that in the clubhouse, hats, collarless tee shirts, jeans, track or shell suits, trainers or open sandals are not permitted.We have a Spike Bar where golf clothing and shoes can be worn. Golfers wearing shorts are reminded that these cannot be worn in the clubhouse with the exception of the Spike Bar.
