Hillside Golf Club

Never thought to review my ‘home course’ on here but it’s great.

The only reason The Open isn’t played here is because of spectators.

It’s expensive so don’t come too often (I like to play quite quickly lol) but it’s a must play for any golf enthusiast who has the means. As I’ve said if given the choice, Hillside for golf, Birkdale, though, unfortunately, for the experience of an Open course..

Don’t get me wrong, there isn’t too much in it and I think above scratch to 4 handicappers will notice as they’re long and so you have to hit the ball 250yds absolute minimum off the tee with a driver consistently to be able to play the course as designed.

If not, go for the experience of what you have watched on TV and see just how good these guys are. I’m off scratch at Hillside yet they make me feel like a beginner, the way they manipulate the ball and get easy power. I’ve played with a few top 50 players, past and present (mainly past) and it’s a joy.

Don’t be intimidated, but learn from them. They play the game in a strategic risk/reward fashion, hardly ever going at pins as they prefer an 8 footer uphill no break to a downhill, swinging 4 footer. Think we all do! It’s just they play for it.

This was the final leg of our English adventure, and boy, did we end on a high note. Our entire group struggled on the opening few holes, which meandered through tall rough and (seemingly) a million bunkers. We started to find our groove at about the same time that the holes got more visually appealing. Nos. 7-9 presented fun and contrasting challenges, and then we made the turn to the back nine, a nine-hole stretch that Gary Player called one of the best he has ever played. The par-3 10th is stunning -- 140 yards, up the hill, with a green the size of a placemat. That was followed by the long par-5 11th, which plays drastically downhill and on this day was into a three-club wind. Though I'm not sure it's the best nine-hole stretch I've ever seen, the entire course was spectacular and a must-play for any golf nut.

This was the fifth round in 3 1/2 days and I could hardly get out of bed. I was tired and my body ached. Glad I found a way to solider on.

Hillside is right next to Royal Birkdale and many locals in these parts consider it a better course. I haven't played Birkdale so I can't officially weigh in, but it'd be hard to imagine it could be better than this beauty.

That par 3s are great, and make you think. The real fun starts on the back nine, which is more beautiful than the front. We played the first 12 holes in relatively benign conditions but the wind started to blow down the stretch. We had our hands full.

I'm a big fan. Pleased that I got my act together. It needs to be near the top of your list if you visit the Southport area.