Southport, Lancashire, England
Hillside Golf Club
Hillside is the hidden gem of the Southport links — a championship course of genuine quality that sits adjacent to Royal Birkdale and is widely regarded as one of the finest courses in England.
About the Course
Hillside Golf Club
Hillside Golf Club was founded in 1911 and occupies a remarkable piece of links land immediately adjacent to Royal Birkdale. The course was redesigned by Fred Hawtree in the 1960s and 1970s, and the back nine in particular — which winds through towering dunes and pine-framed corridors — is widely regarded as one of the finest nine holes in England.
The course has hosted numerous prestigious events, including the PGA Championship, the European Tour Qualifying School, and the Ladies' British Open. It is a course that is deeply respected within the professional game — a venue that has tested the best players in the world and consistently produced memorable championships.
What distinguishes Hillside from its famous neighbour is its variety. The front nine is a more traditional links test, while the back nine moves into dramatic dune terrain with towering ridges and pine-framed fairways that create a completely different visual and strategic experience. The contrast makes for a round of exceptional interest from start to finish.
By the Numbers
Course Statistics
Based on course length, terrain & layout
Handicap index suggested for full enjoyment
The Course
Why It Stands Out
The Back Nine — England's Finest?
Hillside's back nine is widely regarded as one of the finest nine holes in England. Moving into dramatic dune terrain with towering ridges and pine-framed corridors, it offers a completely different experience from the front nine — and a level of visual drama that rivals any course in the country.
Adjacent to Royal Birkdale
Hillside shares a boundary with Royal Birkdale — and the two courses are often played together as a natural pairing. The contrast between Birkdale's famous dune corridors and Hillside's more varied terrain makes for a fascinating comparison, and the proximity means both can be played in a single day.
Championship Pedigree
Hillside has hosted the PGA Championship, the European Tour Qualifying School, and the Ladies' British Open. It is a course that is deeply respected within the professional game — a venue that has tested the best players in the world and consistently produced memorable championships.
The Dune Terrain
The dune ridges at Hillside are among the most dramatic in Lancashire — towering above the fairways and creating a sense of enclosure and drama that is entirely its own. The course uses this terrain to create holes of genuine strategic interest, where the choice of line from the tee has significant consequences.
The Course
Course Views
Extend Your Itinerary
The Southport Links — A Championship Cluster
Hillside sits at the heart of the Southport links cluster — Royal Birkdale is just one mile away, Southport & Ainsdale two miles, and Formby a short drive south. It is one of the most concentrated championship golf regions in England.
Golf Travel
How It Is Included
Hillside 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 in Southport, and every detail of the routing.
To explore how Hillside fits into a wider route, visit our The Open Championship Links Collection page or our England golf tours page.
Begin Your Journey
Play Hillside Golf Club
Speak with our team to arrange tee times at Hillside and build a private itinerary across the Open Championship Links of Lancashire and Merseyside.