Southport And Ainsdale Golf Club
| HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Golfshake Review
Southport And Ainsdale Golf Club, Merseyside is an 18 hole, par 72 (6836 yard), private, links golf course designed by James Braid in 1906.
Contact Information
Bradshaws Lane, Ainsdale, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 3LG United Kingdom
Tel: 01704 578000Website: http://www.sandagolfclub.co.uk
Golf Pro: J Payne
Contact/Secretary: MJ Vanner
Tee Time Information
* Any prices shown are guide prices, please confirm with the course prior to booking.
Facilities & Visitor Information
Course Information: 18 holes | Par 72 | 6836 yards | Private | Links
Facilities: Driving range, Golf clubs for hire, Golf buggies for hire, Golf pro shop, Changing rooms, Golf clubhouse, Bar, Food available, golf course.
- Societies Accepted to Play
- 5 Day Membership Available
Restrictions: Maximum Handicap No Restriction
Location: Ainsdale, Southport (just S of Southport off the A565).
Designed by: James Braid
View more Merseyside Golf Clubs
Score Cards
If any of the data below is incorrect please use the 'Update' link above to notify us of any changes.
| Course | Tee | Par | SSS | Yds | ||
| Southport And Ainsdale Golf Club | White | 72 | 74 | 6836 | ||
| Southport And Ainsdale Golf Club | white 2 | 72 | 74 | 6796 | ||
| Southport And Ainsdale Golf Club | Yellow | 71 | 72 | 6403 | ||
| Southport And Ainsdale Golf Club | Yellow | 71 | 72 | 6396 | ||
| Southport And Ainsdale Golf Club | Red | 74 | 74 | 5630 | ||
| Southport And Ainsdale Golf Club | Blue | 73 | 65 | 5429 | ||
Southport And Ainsdale Golf Club Reviews & Information
Golfshake Rating
4.83
from 47
4.83
from 47
Breakdown Averages
4.87 ... Overall Rating
4.85 ... The Course
4.74 ... Facilities/Serv.
4.53 ... VFM
4.87 ... Overall Rating
4.85 ... The Course
4.74 ... Facilities/Serv.
4.53 ... VFM
Reviews
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Recent Reviews
47 ratings from Golfshake members - Ranked 24 out of 1971.
HIGHLY RATED - 100% would play again or recommend
Played this course? Tell us what you thought: Submit your review now >>
What the club says: Set amongst the sand dunes and heathland of the north west coastline, this two-time host of The Ryder Cup was designed by James Braid - one of the great figures that dominated British professional golf in the early part of the 20th century. The course is not incredibly long but the narrow fairways, bordered by sandy dunes and channels require application and accuracy off the tee.
Most Helpful Review
Played as part of a charity day otherwise would have been £100 quid a round. Is without doubt the best course I have played but for the green fee you would hope so. True test of links golf, every hole memorable. If unfamilair it sometimes difficult to know where to hit your shot but that is the nature of a course like this and in no way a negative. Greens excellent. Would love to play again.
(Round played: Jun 2012 - Score: 93 Handicap: 12.6) 
- Jun 19 2012
Golf Course Reviews for Southport And Ainsdale Golf Club
28 reviews for Southport And Ainsdale Golf Club sort by: Date | Review Rank | Rated High | Rated Low
Andy H rated 5 out of 5 - Apr 9 2018
- Apr 9 2018Superb Southport and Ainsdale
Played in early April after prolonged poor weather, but the course played superbly. 4th hole is undergoing work, so the tee is well forward, but a really minor point. The greens were quick and rolled beautifully, Fairways in excellent condition given the weather and will definitely go back.
(Round played: Apr 2018 - Score: 79 Handicap: 9.2)
Played in early April after prolonged poor weather, but the course played superbly. 4th hole is undergoing work, so the tee is well forward, but a really minor point. The greens were quick and rolled beautifully, Fairways in excellent condition given the weather and will definitely go back.
(Round played: Apr 2018 - Score: 79 Handicap: 9.2)
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Ron H rated 4 out of 5 - Nov 18 2017
- Nov 18 2017Bit wet on back 9 but overall good for November
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Marek L rated 4 out of 5 - Sep 27 2017
- Sep 27 2017Home of the Ryder Cup -Great Course
Long drive to get there but definitely worth the visit. Well Maintained and best bunkers played this year and proper bunkers - deep!! Greens looked fast but played a lot slower than they seemed esecially and borrows!! Almost a links type feel but plenty of goorse to remind you not to stray too far off the beaten track. Would love to visit again one day.
(Round played: Sep 2017 - Score: 90 Handicap: 14.7)
Long drive to get there but definitely worth the visit. Well Maintained and best bunkers played this year and proper bunkers - deep!! Greens looked fast but played a lot slower than they seemed esecially and borrows!! Almost a links type feel but plenty of goorse to remind you not to stray too far off the beaten track. Would love to visit again one day.
(Round played: Sep 2017 - Score: 90 Handicap: 14.7)
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Chris N rated 5 out of 5 - Aug 24 2017
- Aug 24 2017Up there in my top 5 ever experiences.
Played with a member for an extremely good rate midweek. The full green fee is quite a pricey one but as a one off i'd recommend it. Teed off late so didn't come across anyone in front the whole round.
Fantastic setting, great condition, interesting holes with amazingly positioned bunkers............where the stroke saver came to good use! Only used driver on 5 holes, so more of a plotter's course..........which is my preference.
Thankfully didn't visit the rough much, but when did, it's actually quite easy to find the ball. The whole course is playable for higher handicappers too.
Always helps sway your view of a course when you shoot a good score (79, HC11) however loved every minute of this, helped greatly by the amazing levels of friendliness and welcome. Often hard to find at exclusive, historical clubs such as this, so congratulations S&A.
Hillside has one of the best back 9's ever, so tricky to compare the two, but S&A is consistently good on all fronts, except one........the on course signage isn't great and it was a relief I was playing with a member. Would be a little awkward for a group of all visitors.
No real wind or rain always helps the score too, but this place is one of my favourites of all time, with the OC, Gullane, Belle Dune and Hillside.
Get it on your list.
Played with a member for an extremely good rate midweek. The full green fee is quite a pricey one but as a one off i'd recommend it. Teed off late so didn't come across anyone in front the whole round.
Fantastic setting, great condition, interesting holes with amazingly positioned bunkers............where the stroke saver came to good use! Only used driver on 5 holes, so more of a plotter's course..........which is my preference.
Thankfully didn't visit the rough much, but when did, it's actually quite easy to find the ball. The whole course is playable for higher handicappers too.
Always helps sway your view of a course when you shoot a good score (79, HC11) however loved every minute of this, helped greatly by the amazing levels of friendliness and welcome. Often hard to find at exclusive, historical clubs such as this, so congratulations S&A.
Hillside has one of the best back 9's ever, so tricky to compare the two, but S&A is consistently good on all fronts, except one........the on course signage isn't great and it was a relief I was playing with a member. Would be a little awkward for a group of all visitors.
No real wind or rain always helps the score too, but this place is one of my favourites of all time, with the OC, Gullane, Belle Dune and Hillside.
Get it on your list.
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Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Practice Facilities
Food & Drink
Rate Helpful 
(rated: 1)
Mike H rated 5 out of 5 - Jul 26 2017
- Jul 26 2017A Bucket List Venue
A challenging links in great condition. Is a tough but fair test requiring you to keep it straight off the tee and out of the heather as well as numerous bunkers. Greens were quick and true but with subtle borrows. Top quality catering and well trained staff provide high levels of service and a very welcoming atmosphere. Bar very well stocked and run. Definitely one for the "Must Play" list.
A challenging links in great condition. Is a tough but fair test requiring you to keep it straight off the tee and out of the heather as well as numerous bunkers. Greens were quick and true but with subtle borrows. Top quality catering and well trained staff provide high levels of service and a very welcoming atmosphere. Bar very well stocked and run. Definitely one for the "Must Play" list.
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Michael H rated 5 out of 5 - Jun 14 2017
- Jun 14 2017Top drawer course
Fantastic traditional coastal links course, twice former Ryder cup venue!
Fantastic traditional coastal links course, twice former Ryder cup venue!
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Mike F rated 4 out of 5 - May 22 2017
- May 22 2017Brilliant course and very challenging. I'm not a big fan of Links courses as I find them dry and a bit dull but S
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Rate Helpful (rated: 1)
Paul K rated 4 out of 5 - Mar 12 2017
- Mar 12 2017(Round played: Mar 2017 - Score: 91 Handicap: 11.5)
Great course in great condition. Green were getting treated but still played well.
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Dave A rated 5 out of 5 - Jan 24 2017
- Jan 24 2017We usually play at S&A twice a year – once in the summer and once in the winter. Aside from Birkdale, I think it’s the best course of the four “top” courses in the immediate area – Hillside, West Lancs and Formby being the others. The others all have many weak holes, but S&A in my opinion only has one weak hole – 13th. They have made changes to the greens on other holes recently (2, 4, 10, 16) which I don’t actually like – I don’t think they have improved the holes (apart from 2nd) and the greens are very severe and perhaps not in keeping with the rest of the course – but that’s just personal opinion – others in my group thought they were fine.
As is always the case here, we were made to feel very welcome by both members in the clubhouse and staff that we dealt with – the pro and the starter were really helpful. A member even gave us a few buckets of practice balls off his allowance on the range. The clubhouse has been upgraded sometime in the last couple of years and it’s really impressive inside now and the food was excellent.
When we play in June/July I can honestly say that at times, I have never played on greens that are better and truer than S&A greens (I’ve played around 150 courses in the UK). Could perhaps be a bit faster, but in summer they are fantastic. One of the reasons that we come in winter for a round is that the course is still in fantastic, dry condition even at this time of year. I have to say that this year, we were a bit disappointed – tees & fairways were great, but greens and bunkers were not. The greens were softer than we have ever seen them and fairly uneven – still quite quick though. Several greenside bunkers had hardly any sand in them and on a few holes, there wasn’t even a rake available. I was told that the head greenkeeper of many years had retired, so I just hope this was a one-off and that we just caught it at a bad time. There was quite a lot of work going on around the course, on lots of holes, but you would expect that in the winter and it didn’t spoil our round at all.
None of the above would stop me going back to S&A again and I would still choose to play it before the others on that stretch. Open comps there are great value for money in the summer, but we got a good price for a tee time in winter too. I’ve just been offered a job in Liverpool and if I go, S&A will be the one course I will be trying to become a member of.
As is always the case here, we were made to feel very welcome by both members in the clubhouse and staff that we dealt with – the pro and the starter were really helpful. A member even gave us a few buckets of practice balls off his allowance on the range. The clubhouse has been upgraded sometime in the last couple of years and it’s really impressive inside now and the food was excellent.
When we play in June/July I can honestly say that at times, I have never played on greens that are better and truer than S&A greens (I’ve played around 150 courses in the UK). Could perhaps be a bit faster, but in summer they are fantastic. One of the reasons that we come in winter for a round is that the course is still in fantastic, dry condition even at this time of year. I have to say that this year, we were a bit disappointed – tees & fairways were great, but greens and bunkers were not. The greens were softer than we have ever seen them and fairly uneven – still quite quick though. Several greenside bunkers had hardly any sand in them and on a few holes, there wasn’t even a rake available. I was told that the head greenkeeper of many years had retired, so I just hope this was a one-off and that we just caught it at a bad time. There was quite a lot of work going on around the course, on lots of holes, but you would expect that in the winter and it didn’t spoil our round at all.
None of the above would stop me going back to S&A again and I would still choose to play it before the others on that stretch. Open comps there are great value for money in the summer, but we got a good price for a tee time in winter too. I’ve just been offered a job in Liverpool and if I go, S&A will be the one course I will be trying to become a member of.
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Rate Helpful (rated: 1)
Stephen M rated 5 out of 5 - Nov 1 2016
- Nov 1 2016Stunning course , expensive for what I would normally pay but not everyday you play a course like S
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David P rated 5 out of 5 - Sep 29 2016
- Sep 29 2016A wonderful golf course and club house. We received a warm welcome and thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
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Ryan B rated 5 out of 5 - Sep 12 2016
- Sep 12 2016TERRIBLE FRONT 9 BUT RECOVERED WELL BACK 9. COURSE IN FABULOUS CONDITION.
(Round played: Sep 2016 - Score: 86 Handicap: 14.3)
(Round played: Sep 2016 - Score: 86 Handicap: 14.3)
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Tim M rated 5 out of 5 - Aug 15 2016
- Aug 15 2016Course in excellent condition - general style is links with some additional hazards. Narrow tight fairways and small green's make it a challenge. Back 9 feels more difficult than the front.
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Peter T rated 5 out of 5 - Jul 25 2016
- Jul 25 2016Course (layout/challlenge)
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Stephen S rated 5 out of 5 - Jul 11 2016
- Jul 11 2016Course (layout/challlenge)
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Duncan S rated 5 out of 5 - May 3 2016
- May 3 2016A wonderful links course set amongst the dunes although you are not near the sea. Classic clubhouse and a warm welcome from theme,bets.
(Round played: May 2016 - Score: 83 Handicap: )
(Round played: May 2016 - Score: 83 Handicap: )
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Christopher B rated 5 out of 5 - Sep 26 2015
- Sep 26 2015Beautiful course, perfect condition, very challenging
(Round played: Sep 2015 - Score: 100 Handicap: 19.5)
(Round played: Sep 2015 - Score: 100 Handicap: 19.5)
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Jamie W rated 5 out of 5 - Jul 13 2015
- Jul 13 2015Unreal golf course from tough white tees couldn't fault a single aspect of the club. Would play there every day of the week if I was allowed
(Round played: Jul 2015 - Score: 85 Handicap: 11)
(Round played: Jul 2015 - Score: 85 Handicap: 11)
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Martin F rated 5 out of 5 - May 10 2015
- May 10 2015An exceptional course with many tricky shots to be worked out and difficulties of reading the greens which would certainly have the members sniggering at some of our attempts. Clubhouse is tastefully fitted out and the food is also extremely good and must be sampled. If visiting the Southport area to play then this, along with Hillside, really must be on the list.
(Round played: May 2015 - Score: 79 Handicap: 5.8)
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The golf courses reviews are the personal opinions of members of Golfshake who completed a review after playing the course. These opinions do not necessarily represent the views of Golfshake.com
Nearby
 | Hillside Golf Club from 30 reviews Distance 1.06 miles |
 | Royal Birkdale Golf Club from 31 reviews Distance 1.16 miles |
 | Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa from 173 reviews Distance 1.64 miles |
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