Royal Liverpool Course Guide

1st- Course (427 yards Par 4)

With a tee shot flanked by out of bounds on one side and the Clubhouse on the other, this is an extremely challenging hole which requires both accuracy and courage. A sharp dog leg to the right demands a well positioned drive as near to the corner of the practice ground as confidence will allow. The second shot is of some 190 yards to a green protected by a swale on the safer left side away from the out of bounds close on the right.

2nd – Road (371 yards Par 4)

Played to the only green which remains from the original course layout, the Road hole at first glance takes on a high benign appearance but three newly situated bunkers at drive length will swallow any wayward tee shots. A drive positioned close to the left hand side of the fairway will offer you the best angle of approach to a well protected green which falls away from front to back.

3rd – Long (528 yards Par 5)

Threading a drive between the gorse to the left and the strategically positioned bunkers on the right, most players should look to play their second shots to the right side of the fairway from where they will get the best angle of approach to a two tier green. Be careful to check the pin position. Should you end up in the wrong part of the green, two putts will be a challenge.

4th – New (195 yards Par 3)

Normally played into a crosswind, the ‘New’ is the first of Hoylake’s par 3’s and is surrounded by deep bunkers. A tip for newcomers to Hoylake is to take one more club from the tee and aim to the right hand side of the green. The extra club will help carry the cavernous bunker on the front right of the green and natural slope will swing the ball back towards the hole.

5th – Telegraph (426 yards Par 4)

‘Telegraph’ is a very difficult driving hole with a bunkers left and right. The right side is further protected by extensive gorse to which the westerly wind pushes your ball. Nevertheless, the best line from the tee requires a drive close to the right hand side of the fairway. Any tee shot which is too cautious will mean a second shot played over a bunker which jealously guards the front left of the green. Remember to believe the yardage here as this hole always plays one club longer than you first think.

6th – Briars (382 yards Par 4)

The first occasion you play at Hoylake you could be forgiven for wondering where to drive, as you are faced with an out of bounds hedge in front of you, but more perturbing is the fact it is some 190 yards away. So just take an easy swing and place one in the wide part of the fairway. Just to the left of the marker will do nicely. Well done! Now all that is left is a middle iron to the green.

7th – Dowie (196 yards Par 3)

At ‘Dowie’, there is a lot to take in while standing on the tee. The wind is often coming from right to left and the pin position can make a big difference to your choice of shot. Bunkers front left and right protect a narrow green which will throw the ball from a less than perfect shot into complex swales.

8th – Far (493 yards Par 5)

The furthest part of the course away from the clubhouse, ‘Far’ has seen some famous players come to grief, none more so than the great Bobby Jones, who, on his way to his famous Grand Slam in 1930, took a 7 on this relatively straight forward par 5. Whatever you do, stay away from the bunker which protects the front right hand side of the green. It is very deep!

9th – Punch Bowl (390 yards Par 4)

No matter how well or badly you are playing; one cannot help but enjoy the panoramic view which awaits on the tee at ‘Punch Bowl’. The Welsh hills and Dee estuary provide a scenic backdrop to the first of four holes which run along the shore.

10th – Dee (411 yards Par 4)

A dog leg to the left which invariably plays longer than its yardage, ‘Dee’ is a demanding par 4. It could be tempting to take off some of the dog leg when you are faced with 3 bunkers on the right of the fairway, but the newly broken ground in the rough on the left makes that very dangerous

11th – Alps (194 yards Par 3)

Don’t be distracted by the beautiful scenery around Hilbre Island. Make sure you take enough club to carry the mounds which guard the front left hand side of the green.

12th – Hilbre (412 yards Par 4)

Arguably the finest hole of the links, ‘Hilbre’ is a dog leg to the left. The big-hitters and the brave may try to carry the bunkers protecting the corner of the hole but this is a lot to ask

13th – Rushes (158 yards Par 3)

Getting a good drive away is vital on such a long par four, although it will generally play downwind. A new bunker has been added on the right of the fairway at 290 yards and there are two others on the left at 324 yards and 350 yards respectively, so it will be a real challenge to avoid the traps. Once the tee shot is negotiated, you are left with a shot to a green surrounded by sand hills.

14th – Field (519 yards Par 5)

This is the start of Hoylake’s much admired… and feared stretch of finishing holes. A long par 5 which requires a drive towards the fairway bunkers on the left side and then demands a full wood to stand a chance of reaching the green

15th – Lake (457 yards Par 4)

Into the prevailing South West winds, ‘Lake’ at 459 yds is certainly one of the most difficult. A long, straight drive, avoiding bunkers at driving distance is necessary to have any chance of hitting the classic MacKenzie green. A long second shot is played to a deep two tier green. Anything missing the green short left has the dual challenge of thick rough and tricky bunkers. Despite its name, there are no hidden water features to look out for.

16th – Dun (540 yards Par 5)

Played around the out of bounds line of the practise ground, the tee shot should be aimed at the dog leg. From there you can either play safely to the left or skirt the out of bounds line, which will reward you with an easier 3rd shot to a long green set at an angle to the second shot and protected to the front by bunkers to the left and right

17th – Royal (407 yards Par 4)

Setting off away from the Clubhouse, this hole is named after the Royal Hotel which housed the first Clubhouse at Hoylake in 1869. A brand new green complex was created in 2010 and is incredibly difficult to hit with a long iron in hand. If you can keep your drive close to the bunker on the left you will have the best angle of attack to this well protected, long, narrow green. The green is one of the toughest to putt on, so accept a two putt and move on.

18th – Stand (401 yards Par 4)

Bunkers right and left necessitate an accurate tee shot at this great driving hole. The second shot is played to an undulating green which has cleverly positioned bunkers which will allow flag positions to be tucked behind them. Don’t be too greedy as slopes will throw your ball off the green leaving you with a very tricky recovery shot.