West Lancashire Golf Club Key Information
West Lancs lies among a concentrated cluster of very fine links golf in the north-west of England. It epitomises British seaside golf with humps, hollows, raised greens and an adjacent railway line.
And it can certainly prove a stern test when the wind is up. Coming home, 12 and 13 stand out, an excellent par 3 where you must clear two deep pot bunkers, then a wonderful dogleg par 4 played from an exposed tee.
REASONS TO PLAY WEST LANCASHIRE
- A proper links test that will test every facet of your game
- Tremendous far-reaching views on a clear day, potentially across to the mountains of north Wales
- Some clever risk-reward holes, including the 7th that may just tempt you downwind
RANKINGS
UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2025/26 - 75
West Lancs, as it is commonly known, has retained an unchallenged spot in our Top 100 Golf Courses UK & Ireland rankings from the outset.
This renowned course at Blundellsands north of Liverpool lies among a concentrated cluster making up one of the UK’s finest stretches of links golf from The Wirral up to Southport. When I first played it, I immediately understood where it got its reputation for toughness from on a 1st hole that demanded pretty much everything I had into a freshening breeze.
It is the oldest club in Lancashire, and one of the ten oldest in England, boasting a history inextricably intertwined with Royal Liverpool’s. The club started out in 1873, when seven Royal Liverpool members decided golf should cross the Mersey and the two clubs even shared memberships in the early years.
West Lancs has has staged many top events, co-hosting the Amateur Championship in 2009 with Formby. It has also hosted Final Qualifying for several Royal Birkdale, Royal Lytham and Royal Liverpool Opens.
The holes roll naturally across the superb links terrain, with views of the Mersey Estuary and across to the mountains of Wales.
West Lancs can be as stern a test as you could want when the wind is up, starting from that very first hole I mentioned earlier, a long dogleg right where both the apex of the corner and the narrow green are well-bunkered.
The 3rd, at 159 yards, might appear to offer some respite, but don’t be fooled. It is normally played in a crosswind to a must-hit green surrounded by a swale and four bunkers.
Therein lies the West Lancs challenge, for few holes give anything up willingly, even those that appear to bring hope on the scorecard. The 7th – christened ‘Folly’ - is a case in point, a dogleg right that might tempt long hitters downwind (and even less long hitters like myself on my last outing here). But as its name suggests, miscues will be severely dealt with, and even if you do get near the tiny green, its steep run-offs may yet deny you that longed-for birdie.
Coming home, the 12th and 13th stand out, first an excellent par 3 where you must take enough club to clear two deep pot bunkers in the front bank. Then a wonderful dogleg par 4 from an exposed tee, where your drive must be both long and far enough right to bring the tiny green into range and view.
West Lancs delivers a sometimes uncompromising yet fair test and epitomises British seaside golf, with humps and hollows, raised greens, coastal dunes and of course, an adjacent railway line.
What's new for 2025/26? What our panellists said…
The condition of the course was impressive for a links in August, even if it had been fortunate with rain in the weeks prior to playing rather than the summer burnt-out look, which can happen at this time of year. This was the only top course I had not played in this area over the years so I was surprised just how good it was. It exceeded the expectations of a reviewer who has played 77 of the Golf Monthly Top 100.
Was I wowed and does the experience live forever in the memory? No. The course has 18 good holes but only a short stretch that I can easily remember a couple of months later. But would I readily go back? Yes. West Lancs is a truly historic club, challengingly laid out as nature intended, with modern facilities and a warm welcome. It should be played more than once. Natural links golf at its finest.
West Lancashire Golf Club location
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West Lancashire Golf Club Course Scorecard
Best Courses Near West Lancashire Golf Club
Best Places To Stay Near West Lancashire Golf Club
Aberley House, Liverpool - Book now at Booking.com
Aberley House provides accommodation with free WiFi, BBQ facilities, free bikes and free private parking just 500 yards from Crosby Beach and a couple of miles from West Lancs Golf Club. It offers options for à la carte, continental or full English/Irish breakfasts.
The Royal Hotel, Liverpool - Book now at Booking.com
Overlooking the Mersey Estuary, the Royal Hotel is less than three miles from West Lancs Golf club. It offers en suite bedrooms, free Wi-Fi and free parking plus excellent dining in its Marine View Restaurant. Rooms at The Royal have bathrooms with both baths and showers.
West Lancashire Golf Club Gallery
WEST LANCASHIRE Golf Club HISTORICAL TOP 100 RANKING UK&I
- 2025/26 - 75
- 2023/24 - 77
- 2021/22 - 81
- 2019/20 - 79
- 2017/18 - 78
- 2015/16 - 79
- 2013/14 - 76
- 2011/12 - 77
- 2009/10 - 83
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is West Lancashire Golf Club?
The club, which hit its 150th anniversary in 2023, is located just north of Blundellsands and Great Crosby near the Mersey estuary. Despite its name, strictly speaking it is no longer in Lancashire as the county boundaries currently stand, but rather Merseyside. Aside from the golf club, this area is most famous for Anthony Gormley's 'Another Place' on Crosby beach - 100 lifesize cast-iron sculptures that can be seem from the links.
What is the cheapest way to play West Lancashire Golf Club?
The high-season green fee is £225 midweek and £250 at weekends. A day ticket costs just £50 more in both instances (2025 rates). However, the least expensive way to play West Lancs is on midweek days from November to February, when the green fee reduces to £110, or £92.50pp if you can book a fourball. It also includes coffee and a bacon roll on arrival.
