Hesketh

As one of the oldest clubs in the region, Hesketh Golf Club, situated just outside the town of Southport, has a long and storied history.

Dating back to 1885, the club was designed by JOF Morris, the lesser-known member of the golfing family. It has since hosted many an amateur competition, along with Regional and Final Qualifying for the Open Championship.

A proper links test, Hesketh is a course where accuracy is the key off the tee. Avoid the fairway bunkers and you’ll be in good shape throughout the round.

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Hesketh’s history dates all the way back to 1885 when the club was founded, making it one of the oldest golfing venues in the area.

The original layout was designed by JOF Morris. An accomplished golfer in his own right, he was the son of Old Tom and the brother of Young Tom. George Lowe helped return the course back to its original design shortly after the turn of the 20th Century.

Throughout its long and storied history, the club has been a regular host of Regional Qualifying for the Open Championship, along with hosting the Lancashire County Championship, British Girls’ Amateur Championship, British Seniors Amateur Championship and the R&A World Junior Open. It hosted the latter in 2008, where Moriya Jutanugarn and Jordan Spieth both starred.

Despite having been around for 140 years, not much has changed to the layout at Hesketh, bar some lengthening to accommodate the advancement in technology in golf. It is a true links test, situated on both sides of Fleetwood Road. At its fullest, Hesketh runs out to 6,650 yards from the tips, playing as a par 72. Although not the longest course in the world, this northwest venue is one that requires accuracy off the tee to avoid the trouble – of which there is plenty throughout a round at Hesketh.

The first hole is a prime example of that. Anything sprayed left or right, and you won't be able to see the pin and then it's a guessing game as to where you are aiming your approach shot. The 2nd is the first of a brilliant group of par 3s. It is only 155 yards from the tips, but often plays longer due to the wind and the plateau that the green sits on. Take at least half a club more to accommodate for that. After crossing over Fleetwood Road for the first time, you come to the 444-yard par 4 3rd hole. Thick trees are on your left, while two bunkers to the right of the fairway are in play for most. The green is long, and two-tiered, so make sure to find the right section of you could be in three-putt territory.

If you’re looking for a par 3 with plenty of sand, then you will find exactly what you’re after at Hesketh’s 4th. Seven traps protect the putting surface, which sits some 180 yards away from you. The middle section of the green is slightly lower, so if the flag is in there, work your approach in and it will feed down to the right section. The first sign of water comes in at 5, with this 375-yard par 4 playing much more difficult that it might originally sound. Water sits down the left side of the fairway, while there are also two bunkers on the right for those tee shots that are too safe... The green sits on its own, away from any trouble, but it is not the easiest two putt if you are far from the hole. The Stroke Index 1 then follows at the 6th – a 450-yard par 4. A total of nine bunkers are dotted along this hole and although it is arrow straight, it is narrow. A par here will see you gaining a shot on your playing partners.

The opening par 5 at Hesketh comes at the 7th. Water is in play down the right side for the entirety of the hole, making the fairway feel much narrower than it actually is. The safe play is to play this hole as a three-shotter, which at 516 yards, should not be too difficult... Water also comes into play on the 8th, but this is an easier prospect. As long as you can avoid the three bunkers that sit in a line on the right side of the fairway, you will have a clear shot to the green. The surface is long and has four bunkers guarding it. The front nine comes to a close with another tee shot that requires both length and accuracy. Four bunkers, including three down the left side, are in the landing zone for your drive. Avoid those, and you will still have a lengthy shot to the putting surface on this 443-yard par 4.

The back nine at Hesketh kicks off with a gentle par 4. At just 340 yards, most will fancy their chances of giving themselves a birdie look. Two bunkers sit in the centre of the fairway at intermittent distances, but if you can avoid those, the green is inviting. The 11th has a two-tiered green, so know your distances before taking on this par 3. It is 184 yards to the middle, but that could be anywhere between 175 and 195 depending on the flag. The 12th features a split fairway, with grassy mounds around 250 yards from the tee. Keep it short of those, before then having a crack at the green with a long iron or hybrid. Water is to the right of the fairway, but it should not come into play.

Water definitely does feature on 13 – the first par 5 on the back nine. A pond on the right side of the fairway, and then a stream running down the left which dissects the short grass as the hole turns to the left, there is plenty of danger on this tee shot. If you can avoid all that, decide which bunker you want to lay up in front of to provide yourself with the best shot to the green. 14 is the Stroke Index 2, and one of the signature holes at Hesketh. Accuracy is at a premium off the tee once more, while the green is large. Three-putting is not out of the question here. The 15th hole is another where precision off the tee is the most important part of the hole. It is a blind shot, so aim over the marker post and at the church in the distance. A bunker, mounds and hollows protect this putting surface.

The short par 3 16th was described by Henry Cotton as "the best short hole in Lancashire" - and for good reason. A pitching wedge into a green surrounded by bunkers and dunes offers a stern test, and a great start to the closing stretch. 17 has recently be remodelled, and now offers even more of a challenge. A 520-yard par 5 that bends round to the left, three large bunkers are in play as the danger off the tee. The aiming point for the lay up should then be the sole bunker on the corner of the fairway, before then turning left with your approach to the green. The closing hole is another par 5, but this time one of only 480 yards, so some might fancy their chances of birdie (if not eagle) down the last. Again, avoiding the fairway bunkers is the key off the tee. The green is shaped like a bike seat, with a very narrow entrance before it widens out around the centre.

Where is Hesketh Golf Club located?

Hesketh Golf Club sits on the northwest coastline of England, just north of the town of Southport. The track is just off the A565, which runs from Tarleton down to Liverpool. Preston is the closest major city, sitting 15 miles to the northeast of the golf club. Liverpool is just over 20 miles to the south, while Manchester is also within 50 miles of Hesketh Golf Club.

Thanks to its proximity to the city, Liverpool John Lennon Airport is the closest international airport to Hesketh Golf Club. LJL is 30 miles south of the club, while Manchester Airport – the busiest airport in the country outside of London, is within 50 miles as well. Meols Cop is the closest train station, just a couple of miles south of Hesketh. Regular trains run to Southport, Manchester Oxford Road, and Stalybridge among other destinations.

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

Unsurprisingly, Hesketh’s location on the North West Coast of England puts it in play with some of the big boys. Within ten miles of the club sit the likes of Formby, Hillside and Southport & Ainsdale. Add in the Open Championship-hosting Royal Birkdale, and it is an incredible run of golf courses along the coastline.

What golf facilities does Hesketh Golf Club offer?

There is a driving range at Hesketh, though it does sit on the opposite side of Fleetwood Road, along with the middle part of the course. The short game area and the putting green sit next to the clubhouse, close to the opening hole.

What are the green fees at Hesketh Golf Club?

The price of a green fee at Hesketh Golf Club 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 Hesketh, visit their website here.