Hillside Golf Club #19

Hillside Golf Club sits on England’s North West coast in the heart of Merseyside golf, surrounded by famous neighbours and big expectations. Our Hillside Golf Club review starts with a theme we keep coming back to on the Top 110 journey: the full day matters as much as the scorecard. After a brutally wet winter, we somehow land 18 degrees and full sun, and Hillside is in startling condition for March. Fairways are firm, greens are quick, and the place feels like a proper links test without the rough turning the day into a ball-losing slog. For anyone searching top 100 golf courses UK or planning a links golf England trip, this is the sort of shoulder-season surprise that makes winter rates feel like a steal.

The first thing Hillside sells is not marketing, it is hospitality. The “Hillside welcome” is real: friendly, informative, and relaxed, from the pro shop to the bar to members on the course who actively want visitors to have the best experience. The clubhouse strikes a rare balance between modern comfort and old-school golf club character, and the terrace overlooking the first tee adds theatre and pressure in equal measure. Practice areas are close and convenient, even if the legendary pyramid of range balls remains elusive. That members-club atmosphere is a big SEO-worthy takeaway for anyone comparing visitor experiences across Southport golf, Royal Birkdale, and nearby staples.

On the course, Hillside’s ranking around the low 50s in UK and Ireland feels fair, and the debate about it being a “back nine course” is more complicated than the cliché. The front nine is stronger than you are led to believe, and the middle stretch has a rhythm that keeps changing gears without losing flow. Terrain variety is a major reason Hillside stands out: flatter openings by the railway, sections framed by trees, then dune-like shapes that feel natural rather than manufactured. The par threes are a highlight for scoring golfers and architecture nerds alike: strong settings, clear targets, sensible length, and just enough danger. One tee shot on the 7th sums it up, a horrible low runner that catches a path and somehow chases towards the green, proving links golf rewards the strangest bounces.

The signature-hole talk naturally lands on the 11th, a par five with an elevated tee and proper drama built in. It is also where our on-course challenge falls apart early, with gorse, water worries, and damage limitation. That mix of excitement and playability is a recurring Hillside trait: bail-out areas exist, green surrounds are not absurdly punishing, and the course stays fun even when you are off your game. The greens deserve their own mention: fast, true, and subtly difficult to read, turning “straight” short putts into puzzles. If you are planning a golf break in England, looking for top 100 courses near Southport, or weighing up shoulder-season green fees, Hillside offers a complete day: welcome, variety, great food, and an 18-hole experience that lingers.