NW links debate

[Deleted Member 1156]

I've now played most of the big names on the NW coastline and formed a few opinions on them. Raises some interesting questions.

3 Open venues, some superb top ranked other clubs and quite a few very good 'lesser' courses.

How would you rank the 3 'Royals'? (Hoylake, Birkdale, Lytham)

Hillside or Formby or Silloth?

Other favourites?

 

[TonyN]

Have only played RL out of those. Didn't blow me away.

Ive said it before but for me, Wallasey is better. Don't want to start a whole new debate and hijack your thread but I do think its a top track.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

If you think Wallasey is good then it should be included in this debate, I've not played that particular course so interested to hear your views. When you say RL do you mean Lytham or Hoylake?

 

[Duckster]

Birkdale
Lytham
Hoylake

Hillside is one of my favourite courses, but Formby's the one I'd be a member of to play week in, week out.
Pound for pound Silloth is prob the best value course I've ever played, but I'd put it a step below Hillside or Formby.

 

[Junior]

I've now played most of the big names on the NW coastline and formed a few opinions on them. Raises some interesting questions.

3 Open venues, some superb top ranked other clubs and quite a few very good 'lesser' courses.

How would you rank the 3 'Royals'? (Hoylake, Birkdale, Lytham)

Hillside or Formby or Silloth?

Other favourites?

All quality courses.

Royal Birkdale , Royal Lytham, and then Royal Liverpool

The next 3 is a tougher choice. As a one off, I think they are all even.... but to play everyday and be a member at......I'd go Formby, Silloth, Hillside. I suspect, lots would have that in reverse though.

As Tony said, Wallasey is right up there, as is S&A . Then courses that are still superb, but not as superb as those already mentioned......Fairhaven and St Annes Old Links.

 

[Liverbirdie]

In terms of wanting to play them, not based on price,not necessarily being a member and playing them week in week out, (as some like West Lancs would be a slog, but playing it occasionally is great):-

Birkdale
Hillside
Royal Liverpool/Royal Lytham - on a par.
Formby
S and A / West Lancs - on a par
Wallasey / Silloth - on a par
Fairhaven
Hesketh/SAOL - on a par

Gordon, you do realise that they are still taking stretchers away from the last "Formby/Hillside" debate.

 

[Junior]

In terms of wanting to play them, not based on price,not necessarily being a member and playing them week in week out, (as some like West Lancs would be a slog, but playing it occasionally is great):-

Birkdale
Hillside
Royal Liverpool/Royal Lytham - on a par.
Formby
S and A / West Lancs - on a par
Wallasey / Silloth - on a par
Fairhaven
Hesketh/SAOL - on a par

Gordon, you do realise that they are still taking stretchers away from the last "Formby/Hillside" debate.

As a one off you would rather play Hillside than Royal Lytham ?

Good shout re Hesketh btw. A course I really enjoy visiting.

 

[Liverbirdie]

As a one off you would rather play Hillside than Royal Lytham ?

Good shout re Hesketh btw. A course I really enjoy visiting.

Deffo

 

[TonyN]

If you think Wallasey is good then it should be included in this debate, I've not played that particular course so interested to hear your views. When you say RL do you mean Lytham or Hoylake?

Sorry buddy Royal Liverpool. I played it a few years ago with MikeH and VIG. Had a fantastic day, but the course didnt quite live up to my expectations. Maybe they were too high.

Wallasey on the other hand I just love. So much character and no 2 holes feel the same. Its on the roster of our work society. Living on the Wirral we are spoilt as we get to play against most of the Wirral clubs. R.Liv not included.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

As a test of golf I think Birkdale is above Lytham but given the choice to play either of them again I would go for Lytham every time. On a daily basis I think Birkdale would beat you up whereas Lytham you can think your way around the course a bit more.

Peter, I thought it was time to kill off a few more forummers hence reopening the Hillside/Formby debate

 

[Snelly]

I haven't played many but of the ones I have, I would place them in the following order of preference:

Royal Birkdale (only by a whisker)
Hillside
Formby
Southport & Ainsdale

Of these, I think the back 9 at Hillside is the best half of any of the above. When I played Hillside, the greens were beyond comparison and the best I have ever putted on.


I have been to Lytham as a spectator at The Championship but it is difficult to get a proper feel for it so I don't feel I can really comment.

Now I am up North I should make more of an effort to play the others in the area. Silloth is a notable absentee on my courses played list for a start.

 

[Qwerty]

Purely as a Golf course/Test the list would be different but If I could play any of them tomorrow on a nice sunny day....

(No S&A as I haven't played it)

Birkdale
Formby
Silloth
Lytham
Wallasey
Hillside
West Lancs
Fairhaven
St Annes Old links
Caldy
Hesketh
Formby Ladies
Royal Fleetwood.
North Shore.
St Annes Pitch n Putt
Royal Liverpool

 

[TonyN]

Purely as a Golf course/Test the list would be different but If I could play any of them tomorrow on a nice sunny day....

(No S&A as I haven't played it)

Birkdale
Formby
Silloth
Lytham
Wallasey
Hillside
West Lancs
Fairhaven
St Annes Old links
Caldy
Hesketh
Formby Ladies
Royal Fleetwood.
North Shore.
St Annes Pitch n Putt
Royal Liverpool

Interesting you put Caldy so far ahead of Royal Liverpool. Have you played Heswall?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Purely as a Golf course/Test the list would be different but If I could play any of them tomorrow on a nice sunny day....

(No S&A as I haven't played it)

Birkdale
Formby
Silloth
Lytham
Wallasey
Hillside
West Lancs
Fairhaven
St Annes Old links
Caldy
Hesketh
Formby Ladies
Royal Fleetwood.
North Shore.
St Annes Pitch n Putt
Royal Liverpool

You would put St Annes P&P above Royal Liverpool........seriously????

 

[garyinderry]

For all the great courses in the north west, many are starved of breath taking links views.

Still a few to play. Only walked royal liverpool and birkdale.

 

[Junior]

Deffo

Pah ....... only because you might get drawn in a comp with Kenny or Alan

 

[bluewolf]

Birkdale
Silloth
S&A / Wallasey
Hillside
West Lancs
Formby
Royal Lytham
Royal Liverpool

the rest are much of a muchness, except Fleetshite which I wouldn't play if the fairways were surrounded by naked supermodels.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Birkdale
Silloth
S&A / Wallasey
Hillside
West Lancs
Formby
Royal Lytham
Royal Liverpool

the rest are much of a muchness, except Fleetshite which I wouldn't play if the fairways were surrounded by naked supermodels.

To be fair Danny, if you stood naked at the side of any of those fairways I doubt many supermodels would turn up to play :ears:

 

[bluewolf]

To be fair Danny, if you stood naked at the side of any of those fairways I doubt many supermodels would turn up to play :ears:

I don't know, there's always the novelty value. There must be one Supermodel out there who like tall, fat, bald, middle aged men. I appreciate its a niche market

 

[Junior]

I don't know, there's always the novelty value. There must be one Supermodel out there who like tall, fat, bald, middle aged men with a set of blades wearing a flatcap. I appreciate its a niche market

Fixed that for you buddy