Hillside Golf Club, nestled between the prestigious Royal Birkdale and Southport & Ainsdale, stands out as a hidden gem in England’s links golf Mecca. Established in 1911 and extensively redesigned by Fred W. Hawtree in the 1960s, Hillside’s layout offers a unique blend of flat front nine holes and dramatic dune-laden back nine.
The course’s standout feature is its homeward nine, often compared favourably to Ballybunion in Ireland. The 11th hole, a challenging par five that doglegs left, epitomises Hillside’s allure with its elevated tee offering panoramic views and a tempting opportunity for big hitters to reach the green in two, albeit risking a deep bunker on the right.
While Royal Birkdale hosts the Open Championship, Hillside has carved its own niche by hosting significant amateur and professional events. Notably, it was the venue for the 1982 PGA Championship, where Tony Jacklin secured a victory over Bernhard Langer in a playoff. This event marked a pivotal moment for both Jacklin’s career and Hillside’s status.
Recently, Mackenzie & Ebert undertook enhancements to the course, focusing on dune reconstruction on the front nine and introducing sand scrapes and new dunes on the 18th hole. These improvements underscore Hillside’s commitment to maintaining its reputation as a challenging and picturesque links course, often praised by those in the know for its understated beauty and formidable layout.
