Hesketh is the oldest golf club in the Southport area, founded in 1885, and it still feels every bit the proper links test you'd hope for in this part of the world. When The Open is at nearby Royal Birkdale, Hesketh is regularly used for Final Qualifying, which is a good indicator of the course's quality and the sort of test it provides.
This is a links that can play firm and fast, especially when the wind gets up, so it's more about plotting your way round than simply swinging hard. Accuracy off the tee matters, the short game needs to be sharp and the greens have enough subtle movement to punish anyone who switches off. I'd say it's a fair course, but it won't flatter lazy course management. A century of history shows in the shaping and the feel underfoot, and it rewards local knowledge without being tricky for the sake of it.
As a base for a golf break, Southport is hard to beat. You've got Royal Birkdale, Hillside and Southport & Ainsdale close by, plus a lively town centre for post-round food and a few pints. Hesketh fits nicely into a multi-course itinerary too, giving you that authentic links feel without the formality you sometimes get at the biggest names. Include Hesketh as part of your next Southport golf break and you'll quickly see why it keeps its place in the local rotation.
Who is this for?
Golfers who want to play a historic links course in one of England's best golfing regions, and anyone building a Southport golf break around multiple championship-standard courses.
Who is it best for?
Mid-to-low handicappers who enjoy strategic links golf, and groups looking for a proper test that's been good enough to host Open qualifying but still feels welcoming and unpretentious.
