Formby, Merseyside, England
Formby Golf Club
A private members' club of rare distinction — Formby combines classic links terrain with the shelter of ancient pinewoods to create one of the most beautiful and characterful courses in England.
About the Course
Formby Golf Club
Formby Golf Club was founded in 1884 and is one of the oldest and most respected private clubs in England. The course occupies a remarkable piece of land on the Lancashire coast — a natural links that transitions from open dune terrain to the shelter of ancient Scots pine woodland, creating a course of extraordinary variety and beauty.
The layout was shaped by Willie Park Jr. and has been refined over more than a century to produce a course that is both a genuine links test and a visual delight. The combination of exposed dune holes and sheltered pine-framed fairways gives Formby a character unlike any other course in the region — and arguably in England.
Formby has hosted numerous prestigious amateur events, including the Amateur Championship and the English Amateur. It is a course that is deeply respected within the game — a private club that has maintained its character and standards while welcoming visiting golfers who appreciate what it offers.
By the Numbers
Course Statistics
Based on course length, terrain & layout
Handicap index suggested for full enjoyment
The Course
Why It Stands Out
Links and Pinewoods Combined
Formby's defining characteristic is the transition between open links terrain and the shelter of ancient Scots pine woodland. No other course in the region offers this combination — the contrast between exposed dune holes and pine-framed fairways gives the course a variety and beauty that is entirely its own.
A Private Club of Rare Character
Formby is a private members' club that has maintained its character and standards for more than 140 years. Visiting golfers are welcomed with genuine warmth, and the clubhouse atmosphere — traditional, unhurried, and deeply connected to the history of the game — is part of what makes a round here so memorable.
The Red Squirrel Reserve
The pinewoods at Formby are home to one of England's last remaining colonies of red squirrels — a rare and delightful sight for visiting golfers. The National Trust manages the adjacent nature reserve, and the wildlife adds an unexpected dimension to the experience of playing here.
Amateur Championship Heritage
Formby has hosted the Amateur Championship and numerous other prestigious amateur events. It is a course that is deeply respected within the game — a venue that has tested the best amateur golfers in the world and continues to do so.
The Course
Course Views
Extend Your Itinerary
The Lancashire Links — A Championship Coastline
Formby sits at the heart of one of the most remarkable championship golf regions in England. Hillside and Royal Birkdale are just minutes away, Southport & Ainsdale a short drive north, and Royal Liverpool to the south.
Golf Travel
How It Is Included
Formby is a key component of our Open Championship Links programme — a collection that brings together the finest courses of Lancashire and Merseyside in a single, purposeful itinerary. We arrange tee times, accommodation, and every detail of the routing.
To explore how Formby fits into a wider route, visit our The Open Championship Links Collection page or our England golf tours page.
Begin Your Journey
Play Formby Golf Club
Speak with our team to arrange tee times at Formby and build a private itinerary across the Open Championship Links of Lancashire and Merseyside.