Hillside Golf Club is an underrated gem, separated only by a footpath, but hiding in the shadow of its noble next-door neighbour, Royal Birkdale.







Hillside Golf Club
Hillside Golf Club is an underrated gem, separated only by a footpath, but hiding in the shadow of its noble next-door neighbour, Royal Birkdale.







5
“Within the second nine are some of my favourite holes.” – Jack Nicklaus.
Located in Southport, an area renowned for its world-class golf, Hillside holds its own alongside prestigious neighbours like Royal Birkdale and Formby. It has also hosted major events such as Open Championship qualifiers, the British Masters (2019), and several Amateur Championships, showcasing its quality and appeal to players of all levels.
Renowned course architect Martin Ebert conducted a comprehensive review of the links in 2018, leading to significant improvements to the front nine over three phases of work (2019–2021). These enhancements have elevated the opening holes, which traverse flatter terrain alongside the railway line. The updated front nine sets the stage beautifully for the dramatic back nine, where players encounter valley-like corridors carved through some of the tallest and most spectacular dunes in the country. Each hole feels uniquely isolated, offering an unparalleled sense of tranquillity and immersion.
The greens are smooth and roll true, while the firm fairways deliver the classic links golf experience. Bunkers are deep and strategically placed, demanding thoughtful course management, and the rough, while challenging, remains fair. The ever-present coastal wind adds an extra layer of difficulty, testing players’ shot-making and club selection throughout the round.
While the front nine is flatter and less visually striking than the back nine, it is by no means subpar. Accuracy off the tee is critical here, as wayward shots risk finding the rough or well-placed hazards. This balance between the two halves ensures a captivating round of golf that is hard to forget.
The first hole is an intimidating start. The tee is situated between the pro shop and clubhouse, where you’re in full view, as well as the practice putting green. The fairway is narrow, with trees lining the out-of-bounds railway line that separates Hillside from Southport & Ainsdale on the left. Three fairway bunkers and a fourth greenside bunker, paired with a long bank of rough running along the right side, make this a nerve-wracking opener.
The second (par 5) feels like a longer version of the first, introducing a bit more fairway movement and a trickier green site with a severe right-side runoff, providing an early test of your short game.
I’m a sucker for a grass pathway, and Hillside has nailed it. Their attention to detail adds a gratifying feature throughout.
The par-3 4th is visually striking, with water sitting out of play to the left. The hole is framed by sand scrapes flowing from the tee boxes and extending just short of the green approach, with another positioned back left.
The back nine is where Hillside earns its accolades, with holes winding through towering sand dunes and pine trees, featuring dramatic land movement and elevation changes. The breathtaking panoramic views offer both visual spectacle and strategic depth.
The par-3 10th is a stunning hole that sets the tone for what’s to come. Playing uphill at around 170 yards, with pines flanking either side, the hole leads to an amphitheatre-like green framed by a thick grass dune at the rear. A slippery false front and a pot bunker at the bottom of the approach, along with two short-left bunkers and another short-right (complete with a small set of stairs), ensure any up-and-down is hard-earned.
The par-5 11th is one of the best par fives I’ve ever played and will remain etched in my memory whenever Hillside comes up in conversation. The view from the elevated tee box is breathtaking, as the fairway unfolds below, meandering towards the green with dunes nudging it along and a slight dogleg left. The fairway dips and rises just before the green, repelling anything short. A deep greenside bunker lurks on the right, ready to punish misjudged approaches.
The par-4 13th, the second-hardest hole on the course, begins what I consider the strongest closing stretch of holes I’ve encountered to date. Narrow corridors flanked by towering dunes create an intimidating yet exhilarating experience from the tee.
The par-3 16th, though deemed the easiest hole on the course, is by no means underwhelming. Playing around 200 yards and bunkerless, it features dunes on either side, creating a sense of restriction. The green is two-tiered and set at a slight angle from the line of play, with tight runoffs providing its primary defence.
The 17th offers another stunning elevated tee box with views across the property and a glimpse of Royal Birkdale’s iconic clubhouse. A majestic par-5 at 547 yards, it’s also a brute. The hole runs parallel to the beautiful 11th, separated by a grass dune. All the trouble lies to the left, where wayward shots are likely unrecoverable. The approach to the green sees the fairway incline and narrow significantly, demanding precision and nerve.
Southport undoubtedly boasts the finest stretch of links golf in England. Beyond the usual marquee names, Hillside rightly earns its place as the next course that comes to mind. Ranked a respectable 22nd in England, just outside the top 20, it stands proudly among exceptional company.
Personal view, but if I could take the front nine at St Enodoc and combine it with the back nine of Hillside, I’d happily live out the rest of my days on that course.





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