Royal Lytham & St Annes in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, was placed fourth in National Club Golfer magazine’s Top 100 Golf Courses in England list.
“The challenging and well-maintained course presents a stern test of golfing skill, with strategically placed bunkers and thick rough requiring accuracy and precision”, according to National Club Golfer.
One of the finest Championship links courses, the club's location along the Fylde coast provides convenient access to a variety of destinations in both Lancashire and neighbouring regions for visitors to explore.
The historic Links Gate club was founded in 1886 and has played host to The Open Championship 11 times since 1926, its most recent hosting coming in 2012 when South African Ernie Els claimed the Claret Jug.
It’s also been the home for two Ryder Cups and many other major tournaments, including the AIG Women's Open.
National Club Golfer says: “Royal Lytham & St Annes retains a homely feel that is conveyed by some of the modest but pristine houses lining the links. It is sometimes hard to believe that you are only half a mile away from the sea.”
The only other course in Lancashire to make the Top 100 list was St Annes Old Links, which placed 72nd.
Described as a “glorious links course with a rich and famous history”, with views of Blackpool Tower, NCG added: “A links that grows on you – taken individually, nearly all of the holes are worth playing and bear scrutiny.”
The North West coast was well represented in the list, with 10 courses overall: Royal Birkdale (3rd), Royal Lytham (4th), Royal Liverpool (11th), Formby (12th), Hillside (22nd), West Lancs (25th), Southport and Ainsdale (29th), Wallasey (46th), St Anne’s Old Links (72nd), and Formby Ladies (92nd).
For more information on Royal Lytham & St Annes, and to view the other courses in the region that made the NCG Top 100 England List, visit: https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/top100/golfcourse/north-west-coast