Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club

History:

Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club (S&A) was founded in 1906 by George Lowe, the professional at nearby Royal Lytham & St Annes. It was established on the Sefton coast, taking full advantage of the region's natural linksland, which consists of rolling sand dunes and firm turf—ideal conditions for traditional links golf. Initially, S&A was a modest venture, but it quickly gained recognition due to its superb setting and challenging layout. The course was designed by James Braid, a five-time Open Champion and one of the era’s most renowned course architects.

Southport and Ainsdale holds a unique place in golfing history as the first course in the UK to host the Ryder Cup twice:

In 1933 Ryder Cup – S&A hosted the fourth Ryder Cup, and Great Britain secured a famous victory over the United States, captained by J.H. Taylor. It was a tightly contested match and remains one of Britain's most cherished Ryder Cup triumphs.

In1937 Ryder Cup – The course hosted again just four years later. This time, the Americans, led by Walter Hagen, took revenge with a convincing win. It marked the last Ryder Cup before WWII.

During World War II, like many coastal courses, S&A was partially requisitioned for military use. After the war, the club began restoring and improving the course to its former standard. It retained its traditional character but introduced modern touches as technology and golf evolved. Southport and Ainsdale has continued to host prestigious amateur and professional events, including; The British Ladies Amateur Championship, The English Amateur, Numerous Open Championship Qualifiers and is a regular venue for the R&A’s prestigious events

Description:

Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club, founded in 1906 and designed by the legendary James Braid, is a classic championship links course nestled among the sand dunes of England’s north-west coast. Located between the coastal villages of Southport and Ainsdale in Merseyside, the club enjoys a prime spot on the famed Sefton Coast, a stretch of natural linksland shaped by sea breezes, rolling dunes, and wispy grasses. From its inception, the course has been celebrated not only for its challenging layout but also for its understated beauty and enduring character.

The course itself is a masterclass in traditional links design. Measuring around 6,850 yards from the championship tees and playing to a par of 72, it weaves through natural dunes and coastal terrain with elegance and subtlety. From the outset, players are tested by a series of strategic doglegs, deep pot bunkers, and ever-present wind from the nearby Irish Sea. The turf is typically firm and fast-running, demanding precise ball control and imaginative shot-making throughout the round.

The front nine eases golfers into the challenge with relatively generous fairways, but quickly asserts itself with holes like the tight, bunker-laden 3rd and the long, demanding 6th. The outward half includes a lovely blend of par 4s and a tempting par 5, with subtle elevation changes and excellent green complexes that require a deft touch.

The back nine, however, is where the course truly shines. It is both visually dramatic and strategically complex, offering holes that twist and turn through towering dunes and open coastal stretches. Among these, the 16th hole stands out as the signature par 3—a stunning, elevated one-shotter that plays over a deep valley to a small, heavily guarded green. Wind direction can turn it from a gentle short iron to a full-blooded long iron or even a hybrid, depending on the day. This hole encapsulates the very spirit of S&A: beautiful, bold, and uncompromising.

Other highlights include the 13th and 17th, both strong par 4s that require accurate drives and precise approaches to contoured greens. The finishing hole, the 18th, is a fitting end to the round—a long par 4 that brings you back to the welcoming clubhouse, offering a final test of control and nerve.

While S&A may be slightly less grand in scale than its neighbor Royal Birkdale, it delivers a purer, more intimate links experience—one that rewards thought, resilience, and adaptability. With its combination of heritage, natural beauty, and sporting challenge, Southport and Ainsdale remains a jewel of England’s Golf Coast, loved by traditionalists and competitive golfers alike.