Fleetwood

Golf has been played in Fleetwood since 1861 – three years before the formation of the oldest course in England (Royal North Devon) at Westward Ho! – when soldiers from the nearby barracks were recorded as playing “on the dunes by the North Euston hotel”.

Two sites for golf were used in the town before operations began at the current location in 1932 on a course designed by local professional Jack Steer, who had been attached to the Blackpool South Shore club since 1908.

The course is a traditional seaside links, with subtle undulations and punishing rough rewarding accuracy off the tee. The terrain is largely flat and entirely unprotected on the northwest corner of the Fylde so golfers can struggle here if the wind gets up.

Today, the course extends to 6,521 yards from the back markers, playing to a par of 72, with an outward half of 34 playing 600 yards shorter than the inward half of 38. The front nine holes are routed around the perimeter of the property, with the back nine set out inside.

Notable holes include the stretch that’s laid out closest to the shoreline, from the par three 3rd to the par four 7th; the shortest of the par threes at the 144-yard 11th; and the 428-yard 16th, which is rated as one of the most difficult on the scorecard.