Formby Golf Club
A classic links with a character all its own, Formby runs from open duneland into stands of Scots pine and back out again, all within sight of the Irish Sea. Set between Royal Birkdale and Royal Liverpool on the Sefton Coast, it is an essential part of any England golf coast trip and a regular host of the very best amateur golf.
Photograph: Formby Golf Club, via Google · Formby Golf Club
The verdict
Formby is one of the most distinctive links in England, a course that runs from open dune land into stands of Scots pine and back out again, all within sight of the Irish Sea on the Sefton Coast. Founded in 1884 and shaped into its modern eighteen by Willie Park Junior, with later revisions over the decades, it sits between Royal Birkdale to the north and Royal Liverpool to the south, completing one of the densest stretches of great links anywhere. The mix of true linksland and pine framed holes gives Formby a character all its own, quieter and more sheltered in places than its exposed neighbours, yet every bit as testing.
It is a regular host of the very best amateur golf, including the Amateur Championship, and the membership guards a course of real subtlety. The turf is fast and the greens are firm and true, the kind of surfaces that reward a runner into the flag rather than a thrown dart. For the travelling golfer it is an essential part of any England golf coast itinerary, a beautifully natural links that holds its own in exalted company and rewards the player who can shape the ball and read the ground.
Formby at a glance
- Founded
- 1884
- Designer
- Willie Park Jr
- Type
- Links
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- Up to around 7,000 yds
- Green fee
- Around £210 peak
Founding, designer, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Formby and leading course guides. Formby dates to 1884 and was extended and shaped by Willie Park Junior, a links of par 72 measuring up to around 7,000 yards from the back tees. The indicative visitor green fee is around 210 pounds per round in peak season, set by the club, with lower shoulder and winter rates. Fees change by season, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Formby opens alongside the railway and quickly finds its rhythm, the early holes running through classic duneland with fairways tumbling between sandhills and the sea breeze a constant companion. The bunkering is firm and well placed, the rough is thick fescue and marram, and from the very first the premium is on driving the ball into the right portion of the fairway to open up the angle into greens that fall away at the edges.
The middle of the round is where Formby reveals its split personality. Several holes weave through tall pines, the wind suddenly hushed, the light dappled, a stretch that feels closer to heathland than seaside before the course returns to the dunes. The par 4s here are strong and varied, asking for different shapes off the tee, and the greens are cleverly sited so that a small miss leaves an awkward recovery. It is a thinking golfer's links, never tricked up, always fair, but quietly demanding.
The closing holes head back toward the clubhouse over rolling links ground with the dunes once more in play and the finish exposed to whatever the sea is sending. Throughout, Formby stays natural and understated, with no manufactured drama, just a superb routing over wonderful golfing country. It is the sort of course that grows on you with every round, which is exactly why the amateur game keeps returning and why good players rate it so highly.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A private members club that welcomes visitors by prior arrangement on certain days, with limited tee times; not a pay and play course |
| Green fee | Indicative around 210 pounds per round in peak season, with lower shoulder and winter rates, all set by the club |
| Booking | Reserve well ahead through the club or a trusted trip planner, as visitor times are limited and demand on the golf coast is high |
| Handicap | A valid handicap certificate is normally required, and a smart dress code applies on the course and in the clubhouse |
| Getting there | At Freshfield near Formby on the Sefton Coast, around 30 minutes from Liverpool, between Royal Birkdale and Royal Liverpool |
| Best months | May to September for the firmest turf and longest daylight, with sea wind likely in any season |
Access, handicap policy and indicative green fees verified June 2026 from Formby; they change by season and year and visitor times are limited, so always confirm current details directly before booking with the club or your trip planner. Check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
Southport to the north and Liverpool to the south are the natural bases for a Formby visit, both within easy reach and both well supplied with hotels. Southport puts you among the links cluster with Royal Birkdale and Hillside on the doorstep, while Liverpool adds a great city to the trip, with restaurants, music and direct flights.
The real prize of this coast is how the courses sit side by side. Formby, Royal Birkdale, Hillside, Southport and Ainsdale and Royal Liverpool at Hoylake are all within a short drive, so almost every golfer builds a multi day tour rather than a single round. It is one of the finest concentrations of links golf in the world, and Formby is one of its quiet stars.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts in Southport and Liverpool.
Build an England golf coast trip
We pair Formby with Royal Birkdale, Hillside and Royal Liverpool, secure the visitor tee times and handle hotels in Southport or Liverpool, caddies and the order of play. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Formby questions
How much does it cost to play Formby?
Formby publishes an indicative visitor green fee of around 210 pounds per round in peak season, with lower rates in the shoulder months and winter. The fee is set by the club and visitor times are limited. These figures change by season and year, so always confirm the current rate directly with Formby before booking.
Who designed Formby?
Formby Golf Club was founded in 1884 as a nine hole course and was extended to a full eighteen and shaped into its modern form by Willie Park Junior in the early twentieth century, with further revisions over the years. The result is a classic links that runs through both open dunes and mature Scots pine.
Can visitors play Formby?
Yes, by prior arrangement. Formby is a private members club that welcomes visitors on certain days and times, usually with a valid handicap certificate and a smart dress code. It is not a pay and play course, so book well ahead through the club or your trip planner, and always confirm current visitor days and rates before booking.
What is Formby known for?
Formby is known for its unusual blend of true links and pine framed holes on the Sefton Coast, and for hosting the very best amateur golf, including the Amateur Championship. A natural par 72 of up to around 7,000 yards, it sits between Royal Birkdale and Royal Liverpool in one of the great links clusters of the world.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. History, designer, par, yardage and indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.