Royal Liverpool Golf Club

The course and its character

The club was founded in 1869 on what was then the racecourse of the Liverpool Hunt Club, and it received royal status in 1871. Hoylake hosted the first Amateur Championship in 1885 and the first international match between Scotland and England in 1902. The Open has been played here 13 times between 1897 and 2023. The links measures about 6,800 yards from the green tees, with shorter yellow and black tee options, and the tees of the day are set by club officials.

Booking and visitor practicalities

Visiting golfer tee times are normally offered on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, subject to availability, and weekend visitor play is not normally allowed. Visitors should be competent golfers with a current club or society handicap. Caddies, forecaddies, trolleys and hire clubs can be booked in advance through the head professional's team; buggies are limited to medical certificate holders. The club may ask for two-ball or three-ball play. Golf wear is fine on the course with shirts tucked in, but denim, trainers and round-neck T-shirts are not allowed, and a jacket and tie are required upstairs in the clubhouse after 6pm.

Getting there

The club is on Meols Drive in Hoylake, at the north-west tip of the Wirral peninsula, about 15 miles from Liverpool city centre.

Highlights

• Hosted The Open 13 times, most recently in 2023
• Founded in 1869; royal status in 1871
• Hosted the first Amateur Championship in 1885
• Open winners include Tiger Woods (2006) and Rory McIlroy (2014)

Good to know

• Visitor tee times are normally Monday, Tuesday and Friday
• A current club or society handicap is expected
• Caddies, trolleys and hire clubs must be booked in advance
• No denim, trainers or round-neck T-shirts on the course or in the clubhouse

Frequently asked questions