Furness Old Links

As one of the oldest golf clubs in the country, it is perhaps surprising that more people do not know about Furness Old Links.

Founded in 1872, only eight years after the oldest club in England, Furness has an incredible history, which includes exhibition matches involving Harry Vardon, airship buildings to help the country during World Wars and much more.

The course remains a great challenge, and provides incredible views over the Irish Sea and to the Isle of Man on a clear day. Firm links turf and a sea breeze – what more could you wish for?

Visit the Furness Old Links website here. 

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Dating back to 1872, Furness Old Links can proudly say they are the sixth oldest golfing venue in England, along with being the third oldest links course as well.

Royal North Devon and Royal Liverpool are among those very few golf clubs that can say they outdate Furness Old Links.

Originally, the course was just six holes, but it was later extended to 9, and then 18 holes. The club then celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022.

Furness Old Links is a true test of golfing abilities, on a proper links course. You are blessed with incredible views of the Irish Sea and the Isle of Man throughout your round, but don’t let that distract you from the task in hand. The course begins with a run along the inland boundary of the property, before you get to the coast around the 6th. The next seven play along the coastline before moving back inland for the final few holes. Off the Whites, Furness is just over 6,200 yards, but don’t be fooled – this course will test you for sure!

It begins with one of just two par 5s on the Par 71 layout. The 533-yard opening hole is a testing one to get you on your way, but it is also a birdie opportunity if you can knock a good drive down the fairway. Four bunkers guard the small, round putting surface. The 2nd is the first of three par 3s, and at 155 yards, it is still tricky. Five bunkers surround the green, which is long and narrow. It is the 3rd before you reach the first par 4, and this is another good birdie chance. Just shy of 300 yards, driver might not even be required off the 3rd tee. Find the wide part of the fairway and you will have a gentle approach to the green. 4 is much the same, just 35 yards longer. Fairway bunkers sit on either side of the 4th fairway, and the green is guarded once more, but again, this is a fairway wood, wedge type hole.

The 5th is the longest hole on the property. At 540 yards, this par 5 is the last hole to play north for some time. Again, there is a wide fairway, but anything pushed too far right will be in trouble, with gorse and then the road (OOB). 6 is the shortest hole on the course, and with the backdrop of the Irish Sea, it is one where distraction is possible. At only 140 yards to the middle, this should be no more than a mid-iron, but make sure you take enough club, as there are five bunkers around the front and sides of this putting surface.

From here, you play with the coastline on your right for the next stretch, with the front nine coming to a close with a trio of par 4s. 7 is the longest of those at more than 405 yards, and runs right next to the beach so anything right off the tee is in trouble. Although it will make the hole slightly longer, aim down the left side of the fairway for safety. The green is small and round, but there is plenty of space on either side for anything mishit. The 8th is the easiest of the trio, at just 370 yards. If you avoid the solitary fairway bunker on the left side, then this is a good scoring chance. 9 is the hardest hole on the property – the Stroke Index 1 – and it is a slight dog-leg left around gorse bushes. There is also gorse on the right, so you can’t afford to play it too safe away from the corner of the hole. Three bunkers guard the green, with anything not finding the putting surface leading to a tricky up and down.

The back nine begins with the longest of the par 3s – the 188-yard 10th. It does not play that, due to being downhill, but there is plenty of danger around. You must hit your approach over gorse to find the green, which is guarded by more gorse down the left and a quartet of pot bunkers for extra measure. From here, the run for home consists of eight par 4s. The first of those is also the longest, coming in at 434 yards from the tips. Again, it is another hole where anything right off the tee will be in trouble, but you also have to try and hit your drive a good distance, otherwise you will be needing at least a fairway wood into the green. 12 is the last hole to feature the Irish Sea coastline on its right, but at 337 yards, it is one of the gentler holes you will encounter on your way in. Anything left of the fairway bunker, and you are in good shape to attack the putting surface with a wedge or low iron.

Moving back inland, the 13th is the hardest hole on the back nine at Furness. If you find the left side of the fairway on this 410-yard par 4, then you will have a blind shot to the green. The ideal point for your drive to finish is down the right so you can see around the mound to the putting surface – one that is surrounded by gorse on three sides. 14 is arrow straight, with a single bunker in the middle of the fairway some 300 yards from the tee. That is your aiming point, providing you're not one of the longest hitters in the world. Fairway bunkers sit on either side of the 15th fairway, but at just over 310 yards, this tee shot might not require driver. The green is large, and welcoming for anything landing from the blade of a wedge or low iron.

Some may take on the short 16th. At just 266 yards, this is a hole that can be drivable for some, but for those playing safe – or with a good card in their hands – the play is to simply find the fairway before knocking it on to the green. Gorse sits left and behind, but don’t let that distract you. Finding the fairway on 17 is imperative to make birdie, or even par. Anything coming in from an angle will have to cover bunkers, while the bunkers on the opposite side mean there is no backstop either. The final hole at Furness is a 345-yard par 4 which bends ever so slightly to the right. The fairway is wide, so aim down the left side and let a gentle fade bring it back to the middle. Five bunkers are around the green, and it is a surface that is long, so there are plenty of flag positions.

Where is Furness Old Links located?

Furness Old Links is situated on the northwest coastline of England, in the county of Cumbria. The Old Links is sat on Walney Island, just off the mainland of the country, with a number of holes running along the coastline of the Irish Sea. The Lake District National Park is not too far away to the northeast, with Kendal – and the M6 Motorway – around 35 miles to the east. Carlisle is 85 miles north, while Manchester is 100 miles to the south.

Barrow-in-Furness is the closest train station, within a couple of miles of the golf club. Trains run through the station between Manchester Airport and Carlisle, with stops at Lancaster, Preston and Bolton along the way. Despite being over 100 miles away, Manchester Airport is still the nearest major international airport to Furness Old Links. It is also the busiest airport outside of London in the United Kingdom.

Are there any NCG Top 100s: England venues nearby?

Seascale and Silloth on Solway are the only two Cumbrian venues on the NCG Top 100s: England list. The former is 40 miles to the north of Furness Old Links, while Silloth is 80 miles away along the coastal road. Royal Lytham & St Annes, and St Annes Old Links are also around 80 miles from Furness, to the south around Morecambe Bay.

What golf facilities does Furness Old Links offer?

Along with the glorious links course on the coast, Furness Old Links is also home to a practice area – which sits in between the 15th and 18th holes of the layout. There is a practice bunker, along with a range, while the putting green sits by the opening tee box.

What are the green fees at Furness Old Links?

The price of a green fee at Furness Old Links changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Furness Old Links, visit their website here.