Why play

A distinct links test beside Royal Birkdale

Hillside was founded in 1911 and the modern course owes much of its character to Fred Hawtree’s redevelopment work from the late 1950s into the 1960s. The result is a course where the flatter opening stretch gives way to increasingly dramatic dune-and-pine golf.

That contrast is exactly why Hillside works so well in a Southport itinerary. It complements Royal Birkdale rather than feeling like a repeat of the same round.

Playing character

Let wind, position and terrain set the strategy

The front and back nines ask slightly different questions. Early holes reward disciplined placement and patience; later holes bring stronger dune movement and more dramatic elevation into play.

For a first visit, prioritise position over power. Keep the ball on the correct side of fairways, accept conservative targets when the wind rises and avoid turning a missed fairway into a forced recovery.

Course history

A proven championship venue

Hillside has hosted elite amateur and professional golf, including The Amateur Championship and the 2019 British Masters. It has also been used for Open Championship qualifying.

That tournament history is useful context, but the visitor experience is best understood through the course’s everyday strategic test: shape, flight, bounce and miss management.

Visitor planning

Secure the tee time before building the trip

Hillside operates a live visitor booking route and welcomes visiting golfers subject to the club’s current availability and conditions.

Visitor times, green fees, competition restrictions, caddie arrangements, trolley or buggy availability and dress requirements can change, so confirm the latest information directly with Hillside before arranging accommodation or onward travel.

Stay · Play · Recover

Use Southport as the practical base

Stay: Southport provides the hotel and dining depth for a multi-course break.

Play: combine Hillside with Royal Birkdale, Formby and other Golf Coast links according to tee-time availability rather than trying to maximise daily mileage.

Recover: coastal wind and walking over dunes can add fatigue. Hydration, mobility and sensible spacing between rounds are higher-value than filling every free hour.