Visitors will tee it up at Royal Birkdale, a venue that has hosted more championships and international events than any other course since World War II. Just next door, they can play Hillside Golf Club, a links course that was born in 1911 and later grew during the 1960s when the club acquired additional land. Considered by many to be a diamond in the rough along this superlative stretch of English links land, Hillside recently hosted the British Masters, which supports the general belief that the club might be the best non-royal course in the area. Visitors to this region will also play Formby Golf Club, one of England’s most picturesque layouts. Designed by Willie Park and later modified by James Braid, the course abuts Royal Birkdale’s 18th hole and meanders through sand dunes and pines.

Elsewhere, golfers can test their mettle at Southport & Ainsdale – a course that hosted Ryder Cup matches in 1933 and 1937. However, a Liverpool golf vacation would be incomplete without a round played at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. There, golfers will need an apt short game, especially with a sand wedge in their hands, as this Open Championship venue’s strongest defense is its 206 bunkers.