Hillside Golf Club sits quietly in the shadows of its more famous neighbor Royal Birkdale, yet many argue it's the superior test of links golf. Tucked into the magnificent sand dunes of Southport's England's Golf Coast, this 1911-founded gem was extensively redesigned by Fred Hawtree in the 1960s, transforming it into the modern masterpiece players experience today. The front nine rolls gently through relatively flat terrain alongside a railway line, providing a measured introduction before the course reveals its true character.
The back nine is where Hillside transcends into the realm of legend. Here the course erupts into a series of dramatic, undulating holes that ribbon through towering dunes and mature pinewoods, creating what Greg Norman famously called "the best back nine in Britain." Jack Nicklaus agreed, describing it as containing some of his favorite holes anywhere. The elevated tees deliver sweeping panoramic views across the Irish Sea and neighboring courses, while the strategic routing ensures every shot demands precision and courage. The routing is pure links theater—each hole occupies its own isolated site, never sharing terrain with another.
Hosting the 2019 British Masters and numerous Amateur Championships, Hillside combines championship-caliber challenge with exceptional hospitality. Visitors report being treated like members for the day, enjoying an Edwardian clubhouse recently refurbished, top-tier facilities, and genuinely warm staff. The course is consistently ranked in England's Top 100 and delivers the kind of memorable round that lingers for years.
Championship links course routing through sand dunes and pinewoods with split personality: strategic front nine on relatively flat terrain and world-class back nine through dramatic duneland.