Do you want to play on some of the finest golf courses in the world? Then your trip to Merseyside would not be complete without teeing off on one of the many world renowned courses that are all within an easy driving distance of Liverpool’s famous City Centre. So if money is no object, and you seek a golfing experience that will be truly memorable, you will find Merseyside is heaving with courses that have played an important part in the history of Golf, with two venues of the Open Championship right on your doorstep!

In 2014, the greatest players in golf will descend once again on Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake (0151 632 5868, http://www.royal-liverpool-golf.com/) for the Open Championship. This famous course, granted Royal patronage in 1871, has hosted the Open six times previously, the last time being in 2006 when Tiger Woods claimed the Claret Jug. Just a short drive through the Mersey Tunnel’s and across Wirral will bring you to this picturesque links course, set against the stunning backdrop of the River Dee, Hilbre island and the hills of Wales in the distance.

Head North from the City Centre and soon you will happen upon the course that many in golf feel is the finest Open Championship course in the country. Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport (01704 567920, http://www.royalbirkdale.com/) last held the open in 2008 and has hosted the Open championship nine times, including the centenary competition in 1971. In addition the course is steeped in golfing history with Walker and Ryder Cup matches being played out across its beautiful fairways.

If you are on a more modest budget, you will be pleased to know that Liverpool and the surrounding area offers plenty of other high quality tests of your golfing ability. The area is particularly well served by municipal courses. These pay and play courses are fantastic value for money. There are two courses within Liverpool City Council boundaries; Allerton Golf Course (0151 428 7490) and Kirkby Golf Course (also called Liverpool Municipal Golf Club) (0151 546 5435). There is also the nine hole Bowring Park Golf Course (0151 489 1901) in nearby Huyton. In addition to this there are no less than four municipal courses just over the water on the Wirral; Arrowe Park Golf Course (0151 677 1527, www.arroweparkgolfclub.com), Brackenwood Municipal Golf Course (0151 608 3093, www.brackenwoodgolf.co.uk) Hoylake Municipal Golf Course (0151 632 2956,www.hoylakegolfclub.com) and the nine hole Warren Golf Club (0151 639 8323). All these course offer an exceptional days golfing at a price you will find hard to beat.

In addition to the Open venues and the municipal courses, there are of course plenty of private courses in the area that offer a magnificent days golfing for the visitor. It’s best to call the clubhouse to find out any handicap or dress requirements, find out the green fees and to book a tee time in advance but we strongly urge you to give some of these fantastic courses a try! Formby Golf Club (01704 872 164, www.formbygolfclub.co.uk) often hosts Open qualifying tournaments and hosted the Amateur Championship 2009 and provides a truly world class test of golf. Fans of the Stableford method of scoring will no doubt enjoy a round on the course where it was conceived; Wallasey Golf Club (0151 691 1024, www.wallaseygolfclub.com) is another links course that hosts Open qualifiers and  is steeped in tradition and history. Another Links course worthy of consideration is West Lancashire Golf Club (0151 924 1076, www.westlancashiregolf.co.uk) set against the beautiful backdrop of Liverpool Bay and the Irish sea.

Use our Liverpool Guide to find out more visitor information.