Wallasey - Cheshire - England

3rd Cheshire - Best in Area 61st England Ranking
Wallasey Golf Club,
Bayswater Road,
Wallasey,
Merseyside,
CH45 8LA,
England

  • +44 (0) 151 691 1024

"Wallasey," wrote Bernard Darwin in The Golf Courses of the British Isles, "is another course of mighty hills: indeed I do not think I have ever seen a course on which the contour of the hills and valleys was so infinitely picturesque." It's certainly true today, Wallasey still has its fair share of dramatic dunes, but they are fewer than in Darwin's day, owing to coastal erosion.

Wallasey Golf Club is situated on the cusp of the Wirral Peninsula with views across the River Mersey. It's here, on the Wirral, that we start (or end) our journey after playing a host of classic links courses along England's magical northwest coastline - St Annes Old Links, Royal Lytham & St Annes, Fairhaven, Royal Birkdale, Hillside, Southport & Ainsdale, Formby, West Lancs, and then Royal Liverpool, which is also on the Wirral Peninsula.

Old Tom Morris originally designed the course in 1891, but Wallasey was put on the map by one of its members, Dr Frank Stableford. Irked by his rising handicap, he developed the Stableford scoring system following a discussion with Duncan Taylor whilst walking down the 2nd fairway. In 1932, a competition at Wallasey took place utilising his new-fangled scoring system - the rest is simply a blob in history!

The opening five holes are engaging and immense fun, with several raised plateau greens and elevated tees. Long, straight driving is key to scoring well, because Wallasey is a lengthy challenge, measuring more than 6,500 yards from the back tees. On the surface, 6,500 yards doesn't seem long, but factor in the wind, and this will test the very best.

Wallasey hosted Open Championship Qualifying when the Open returned to Royal Liverpool in 2006, although nobody was able to repeat Bobby Jones's amazing feat. In 1930, Jones came through Open Championship qualifying at Wallasey and went on to win the Open at Hoylake. It was a good year for Bobby Jones. In 1930, he won the British and US Open Championships, the British and US Amateur Championships. After that, he retired. Who can blame him?

"It is quite likely that we have played very far from well," wrote Darwin, "since this country of mountains and deep dells is always difficult for the stranger, and our host has probably ways and means of reaching the green that we are apt to regard as ways of darkness, but we have found the golf infinitely pleasant and exhilarating."

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Reviews for Wallasey

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Description: Wallasey Golf Club, world famous as the "Home of Stableford". An undiluted links course with its undulating fairways framed with spectacular dunes. Rating: 8.1 out of 10 Reviews: 30
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Paul Shaw
Wallasey is a real gem and it’s hard to see why its ranking is not higher, although I think it’s 5 out of 6 rating is about right. The first thing to say is that there is no surprise that the Stableford format of the game was invented here... it’s a really tough links with lots of variety in the shotmaking. Having played off the back tees in scratch matches there, the driving can be very daunting. Some of the drives are blind or to very narrow fairways, for example the 3rd fairway is barely a few paces wide in places. Also the 11th is an exceptional driving hole with one of the most difficult 2nd shots I’ve ever come across. Elevation is used to great effect all around the course and the 12th stands out as a great par 3 hitting out of a dune down onto a heavily bunkered green. I would also say that the 18th is a really good closing hole, especially when a match is close. It’s possible to add a great deal to your drive if you aim for some hard rolling parts of the fairway, which could be just the thing you need to help put the pressure on an opponent.

On the whole, I love playing Wallasey and I think there are many great holes, there are also a few weaker holes once you are out of the dunes, some of them have undergone some changes recently that I don’t necessarily think have 100% been successful, but often time makes a big different to links land. As for the question of whether it is better than Royal Liverpool, I think that is a question you have to answer for yourself, I suspect some people will prefer the greater use of dunes and the quirkier holes that come from naturally undulating terrain, however, I think it’s fair to say that Hoylake is in overall better condition and probably fairer, in that good shots are rewarded and bad shots penalised. Also I think the recent changes to Hoylake under the watchful eye of the R&A have been very well executed in a way that a club with the resources of Wallasey may not have been able to achieve. Pricewise, Wallasey is great value for money against any comparison. Overall the only answer is to organise a trip to the Wirral that allows time to play both courses and judge for yourself.
March 07, 2012
8 / 10
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Max Monroe
Better than its famous neighbor Hoylake.
July 25, 2011
8 / 10
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AJ
September 21, 2011
Its different not better !
am
October 05, 2011
The above is a catch-all along the lines of "of it's type, one of the finest courses I've played". How is Royal Liverpool so highly ranked considering the proportion of four-ball, and lower, scores it has received from reviewers.
AJ
October 08, 2011
Its a no brainer, an open venue, steeped in history with varying degrees of difficulty, as I say its different, a more subtle test than Wallasey, undulations arent everything. Royal Liverpool is one of, if not the most accessible open venue in the UK in terms of price. I think it needs a few visits to really appreciate.
Mark Stuart
have played this course many times now and have found it only 2nd to Turnberry as the best links course in the UK. Simply stunning. great views, tough holes with dramatic changes on many holes, with the 16th probaly one of the hardest par 3's you will play and thats without the wind. you will need to be straight as the rough can be very penal. The course finishes with a quality view of playing back to the club house and a hard hole as well. well worth a visit.
December 13, 2010
10 / 10
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Marty
December 14, 2010
I get to play Wallasey every year and while I agree it is a good Links course I’d struggle hold it in the same breath Turnberry. IMO it sits below many of the other fine links courses in the North West, but still well worth a visit.
Vorndron
September 26, 2011
2nd only behind Turnberry?? Are you being serious?? I'll admit there are a couple of very good holes but in the most many are flat and lets be honest are very parkland like. Go a few miles up the road to Hillside, Birkdale and Formby and you'll see real quality links golf.
webbedrobin
September 30, 2011
With regards Vorndon's response being critical of the review, I'm surprised with anyone describing "many" of the holes as being "parkland like". In my opinion holes 3,4,11,16,17,18 are links classics of the highest order. It has many other good holes, some of which are flat. I avoid parkland golf like the plague and Wallasey bears no resemblance to that. One of my favourite English courses (alongside Saunton, Silloth, Burnham and Berrow - you get the drift).
Russell Lambert
Played wallasey in july 08 and remember the course being baked hard even though the summer had been pretty wet. This is proper links course with some big dunes and deep pot bunkers. I found it to be far more interesting and exciting than it's more illustrious neighbour at Hoylake, holes 4 and 11 in particular are spectacular and will live with you for a long time. Both would make it into my favourite 18 holes i've ever played. Other highlights include 2,3,8,12,15 and 17. All in all, it has a few too many average moments to be rated among the very best, but i'm suprised it's so low in the rankings.
May 09, 2010
8 / 10
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El Gringo
October 05, 2011
I find myself somewhere in the middle of this opinion. I don't believe Wallasey to be a top notch links as the treatment of the flat terrain on holes such as 7, 12, 14 and the start to #s 2 & 13 is not very imaginative. There are however, some very good holes scattered througout the course with #s 8 and 11 being standouts. Where Hoylake has the edge is in its better use of flat terrain and higher quality turf. Both are very good and worth playing at least once.
John Patterson
Played in the Seniors' Open this week and thoroughly enjoyed the course. Previous reviewers have rightly praised its true links characteristics and very good conditioning. I particularly liked the variety of challenges presented - elevated tees and greens, some blind shots, narrow fairways and cleverly sited bunkers. Great fun!
June 15, 2009
8 / 10
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ron haworth
I cannot believe that Wallasey has been rated so lowly. Having played all of the Open Championship courses in England and Scotland bar Muirfield and Sandwich, I can still honestly say that I find Wallasey more interesting, even after playing it for over 50 years. To still enjoy it so much speaks volumes for the quality and nature of this wonderful links. Bobby Jones actually named one of the short holes as one of his best 18 holes in the world. Alas this hole has now gone due to a terrible decision some years ago by the then committee, who decided that they needed a second starting point. A wicked piece of golfing vandalism, I was fortunate to play it many times before it went in 1967. I am not computer literate enough to send a photo of this marvellous hole, but I do have one in black and white, which I will get my wife to try and send to you. Jones played it as the 17th, but it was the 9th when I played it.
August 12, 2008
10 / 10
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Richard Smith
I would rank this course substantially higher than the ratings given on this site. Wallasey is a marvelous collection of holes combining twists, turns and elevation changes to present the golfer with a never ending series of challenges. There are a number os shots up to elevated greens on dunes, with disaster lurking for wayward approaches. The finish of the tough par 3 16th, uphill par 4 17th and the tight driving of the finishing 18th is a fitting end to a great day of golf. Wallasey is one of my favoritie links courses that I rate as high as several other underrated gems such as Cruden Bay and the West links at North Berwick. Richard Smith, Knoxville, Tennessee
December 15, 2007
10 / 10
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Pantera_Heath
I've played Wallasey many times, it's a magnificent golf course and it's always been in great condition. Some of the driving holes are simply fantastic, with the fairways bordered by huge dunes. A very testing golf course when the wind is up, which is normal. Thought by many around the area to be a better course than it's famous neighbour Royal Liverpool. Notable holes are 2, 3, 4, 11, 16, 17 and 18. I can't believe this course is so low in the rankings!
March 26, 2007
10 / 10
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Hugh
Considering Wallasey is right next door to Hoylake, there is a marked difference between the two...there are some serious dunes at Wallasey and Hoylake is as flat as a pancake. Wallasey's condition is remarkable and it's surprising that it has never been ranked in a Top 100, it's much better than it's lowly ranking. You need to bring your best driving boots with you, miss the fairways here at your peril. This is a true gem and should be better known - play it with Royal Liverpool and see which one you prefer.
November 21, 2004
8 / 10
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BRIAN HOLLAND
Played here for the first time in July what a treat!! I will certainly be back. They must rank as the best greens I have played after St Andrews. It's hard to pick a favourite hole but the first par 5 called seaview is a tremendous hole playing from an elavated tee. The sea is out of bounds on the right with lots of bail out room on the left but this then makes the hole very long. The par 3 16th is another beauty about 200 yards into the wind and not much room for error. Fantastic old club house with an original large signed picture of Bobby Jones hanging above a traditional old fireplace worth the visit just for that. You will not be disapointed with this wonderful golf course.
September 23, 2004
4 / 10
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