Southport is an unusually good base for a golf break. Championship links sit along the Sefton and Lancashire coast, while the town provides restaurants, transport and self-catering accommodation for the hours between rounds. You can build a serious multi-course itinerary without changing accommodation every night.
Why golfers choose Southport
Royal Birkdale is the headline course, but it is only part of the story. Hillside, Southport & Ainsdale, Hesketh, Formby and West Lancashire add very different tests within the wider area. Visit Southport describes several championship courses as being within about 15 minutes of the town centre, with another around half an hour away.
That concentration gives a group options. One trip might pair Royal Birkdale with neighbouring links; another can mix championship golf with a more relaxed round at Southport Golf Links. Always check visitor days, handicap requirements and tee-time availability with the individual club before finalising travel.
Royal Birkdale and The Open
Royal Birkdale was established in 1889 and moved to its present links in the 1890s. Its dunes, fairways and distinctive Art Deco clubhouse have made it one of the best-known venues in British golf.
In July 2026 the course staged The Open for the eleventh time. Ryan Fox finished on ten under par to become Champion Golfer of the Year, adding another chapter to a venue whose Open history includes champions such as Peter Thomson, Tom Watson, Ian Baker-Finch, Mark O’Meara, Pádraig Harrington and Jordan Spieth.
Building a two- or three-day golf break
A little organisation matters more than trying to fit in too much. A sensible plan is one course per day, with enough time for breakfast, travel, warm-up and a proper meal afterwards.
- Reserve golf first: visitor tee times can be limited and major competition weeks affect availability.
- Confirm club rules: check handicap certificates, dress requirements, trolley restrictions and whether caddies must be booked in advance.
- Prepare for links weather: wind and showers can arrive quickly even on a bright day, so pack layers and waterproofs.
- Plan transport: decide before the trip whether your group will drive, use taxis or arrange a specialist golf transfer.
- Leave room for Southport: a free evening gives you time for Lord Street, Southport Market, Birkdale Village or the seafront.
Where to stay for a Southport golf trip
Birkdale Links Lodge
Birkdale Links Lodge is the natural choice when the southern Southport links are the focus of the trip. It gives a golf group a self-catering base in Birkdale, with shared living space for planning the next day’s round and relaxing after the course.
Kings Central
Kings Central offers a town-centre alternative for groups who want restaurants, shops, Southport station and evening options close by. It can work especially well for a mixed group where not every guest is playing every round.
Ready to organise the stay? View Birkdale Links Lodge or Kings Central and check availability for your golf dates.
Useful sources
- Visit Southport: courses and golf-break planning
- England’s Golf Coast
- The Open: Ryan Fox wins at Royal Birkdale in 2026
Featured image: the 14th green at Royal Birkdale Golf Club. Photograph by Jonathan Palombo, used under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Unmodified.