The Course

Ormskirk Golf Club: A Historic Haven on Lancashire’s Golf Coast

Nestled within ten miles of Southport and the famed Lancashire Golf Coast, the easy-walking Ormskirk Golf Club offers a rare blend of tranquillity and challenge. Originally a heathland course, Ormskirk Golf Club has matured over the years into a lush, tree-lined hybrid, still retaining pockets of heather and gorse that hint at its heritage. This secluded gem appeals to golfers of all abilities, combining natural beauty with a course of considerable pedigree.

Founded in 1899, Ormskirk Golf Club boasts a 6,533-yard, par-70 course set across 125 acres of historic land. Once part of the Royal Deer Park of Lathom House, the grounds are steeped in history. As you make your way from tee to green, echoes of the past are ever-present. Between the eighth and ninth holes lie the woods where New Park House once stood, complete with its moat. To the left of the sixteenth fairway, a crescent-shaped hollow marks the reputed site where Cromwell’s forces laid siege in 1644.

A historically significant feature of Ormskirk Golf Club in Lancashire is the crescent-shaped hollow near the brook by the 16th hole, reputed to be the site of a mortar emplacement used by Oliver Cromwell’s forces during the English Civil War. In 1644, Parliamentary troops laid siege to nearby Lathom House, a Royalist stronghold defended by Charlotte de la Tremoille, Countess of Derby. The hollow is believed to have served as a battery position for Cromwell’s artillery during this campaign. Though the exact details remain partly speculative, the site is a poignant reminder of the area's turbulent past and its connection to one of the most dramatic episodes in British history.

The course itself is the work of Harold Hilton—Open Champion and one of the most respected figures in British golf course design. Comprising two distinct nines, each with its own character and demands, the layout is both exacting and rewarding. A long par 70, it is widely regarded as one of the toughest and most strategic tests of golf in the region. Its peaceful surroundings belie its proximity to the bustling market town of Ormskirk, offering a true escape from the everyday.

Ormskirk Golf Club has long been a favoured venue for prestigious competitions. It has hosted numerous Regional Open Qualifying events and County Matches, including the Lancashire Amateur Championship and the Lancashire PGA Championship in 2016—where Mark Ashworth’s final-round 63 was hailed as one of the finest in living memory. In 2024, the Club proudly hosted the Carris Trophy, one of England Golf’s most esteemed junior championships.

Before or after your round, the Edwardian Clubhouse offers a warm welcome and exceptional hospitality. From the veranda of the dining room, the views across the course are nothing short of magnificent—an ideal setting to reflect on your game or simply soak in the atmosphere.

At Ormskirk Golf Club, members and staff alike take great pride in extending a heartfelt welcome to all visitors. With its rich heritage, championship pedigree, and timeless charm, Ormskirk remains one of Lancashire’s true golfing treasures.

Course Records:-

Current Blue Course 62 James Nash (Ormskirk) 2021

Current White Course 62 James Nash (Ormskirk) 2021

Old Blue Course 63 Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe) 2016 Lancashire Championship.

Old White Course 63 David Eccleston (Ormskirk) 1968

Professional Blue Course 65 Blake Toone 1999 The Open Regional Qualifier

Ladies ( Old Course ) 71 Chloe Ritson (Ormskirk) 1997

Ladies ( New Course ) 71 Sara Fitzgerald (Ormskirk) 2022, Ella Cornwell (Ormskirk) 2025, Sadie Adams (Royal Birkdale) 2023 & Boh Greenwood (Royal Birkdale) 2023.

Ladies Professional 69 (-4) Holly Morgan (Hallamshire) 2022 WPGA Series

OGC IN THE SPOTLIGHT - Engalnd Golf July 2024