Southport Old Links Golf Club

Royal and Ancient, it's not - but Southport Old Links Golf Club near Blowick punches well above its weight as a proper Lancashire links course. The layout runs across genuine coastal terrain with all the undulating greens and firm fairways you'd expect from a seaside track. Wind is a factor here, as it should be, and the rough can bite if your driving's off.

This is a members' club primarily, so access requires either a guest pass through a member or occasionally day-play arrangements - worth ringing ahead on that front. Greens fees aren't cheap, but the course itself is well-maintained and offers genuine challenge without the pretension of better-known venues. A round will take a solid four hours, so plan accordingly.

Golfers staying at the nearby caravan parks - Riverside Holiday Park and Leisure Lakes are both within walking distance - can knock this into a proper golfing break. It's the sort of course that rewards shot-making over raw power. The views across the coastal flats are pleasant enough, though you're not here for scenery. Early morning rounds catch the best conditions before the wind picks up and makes things proper difficult. Winter and early spring are cracking times if you can handle the weather. Skip the summer school holidays if you value peace and quiet on the greens.