The Open Championship was held here in 1967 and again in 2006, when the course was re-routed to kick off play at the 17th hole, ending at the 16th. Golfing architect Donald Steel's 2006 revamp and upgrade, carried out in honour of the Open, has made everyday play there even more of a test.
Resultantly, a Royal Liverpool golf experience is packed to the brim with enjoyable challenges. There's no way you can relax here - every single hole demands your full attention and every last bit of golfing skill you can muster. Luckily the huge red brick clubhouse offers respite from the elements and a place to soak up Royal Liverpool’s history and traditions. No wonder this splendid club has held onto its reputation as one of the world’s greatest courses for so long.
About Royal Liverpool – Brief History
- Founded in 1869 on the Liverpool Hunt Club's race course
- Given royal status in 1871 thanks to the patronage of the Duke of Connaught, one of Queen Victoria's children
- Laid out by Robert Chambers and George Morris, Old Tom Morris' younger brother
- Originally a 9 hole course
- Extended to 18 holes in 1871
- The home club of golf fanatics and incredibly successful champions Harold Hilton and John Ball
- Redesigned by Harry Colt in the early 1900s
- Originator of and host to the inaugural men’s amateur championship in 1885, later renamed The Amateur Championship
- Home to the first international match between Scotland and England in 1902
- Hosted the first ever Home International matches
- Home to the first transatlantic contest between Great Britain & Ireland and the United States in 1921, subsequently renamed the Walker Cup in 1922
- Home of the rules of amateur status
- This is where the second leg of Bobby Jones' infamous Grand Slam took place in 1930
- Hosted the Open Championship, Amateur Championship, Women's British Open, Curtis Cup, Walker Cup
- Extended by Donald Steel in 2001, now in excess of 7000 yards
Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) Scorecard
Click here to view the scorecard
Featured hole – Hole 12
Play Royal Liverpool to experience the Par-4, 454 yard hole 12, the Hilbre. One of the most difficult in the entire course and also popularly deemed its finest hole, it features a nasty dog leg to the left where pro players and brave amateurs alike try to carry the bunkers, thus protecting the corner of the hole. If you can pull it off you deserve a big pat on the back. Having said that, the preceding holes, the 9th to 11th, are almost as challenging.
Known as the home of Harold Hilton and John Ball
When you play Royal Liverpool links you're treading in the footsteps of legends. Harold Hilton and John Ball completely dominated amateur golf in the late 1800s and early 1900s, so much so that their many triumphs still stand as extraordinary feats of sportsmanship to this day. Both men won the Open Championship as amateurs. Ball won the Amateur Championship eight times and was runner up twice. He also won the Open Championship in 1890, the first Englishman and amateur to do so. Hilton won the Open twice, the only amateur apart from John Ball and Bobby Jones to do so. He won the Amateur Championship four times, was runner-up three times and took the US Amateur Championship in 1911, the first player to hold both titles at the same time.
Royal Liverpool golf breaks
A Royal Liverpool golf vacation is an unforgettable experience, treading in the footsteps of the greats. It's no surprise tee time here is so desirable. Please contact us to find out more about booking Royal Liverpool golf and accommodation through us, as all our golf packages can be fully tailored. It's our task to ensure your visit is the very best it can be.
Featured Royal Liverpool golf package:
North West England 7 Night Programme – Nestled between the stunning Lake District to the North and Manchester to the south is an area of England boasting a fabulous golfing experience. This package features 6 incredible rounds of golf and 7 nights’ accommodation where you’ll enjoy a daily, sumptuous breakfast. Airport transfers, as well as transfers to and from the golf courses themselves are of course included. This package is fully customisable so you can have the golf holiday experience of your dreams, so please do get in touch.