Wallasey Golf Club

Stableford Among the Dunes

The golf course at Wallasey Golf Club began in 1891, when members from nearby Hoylake founded a new club and asked Old Tom Morris to lay out the links. Drifting sand and later changes to the available land forced repeated rebuilding. Sandy Herd, Harold Hilton, James Braid, Hawtree and J.H. Taylor all influenced the course, while Donald Steel added three new holes in the early 2000s.

The course now moves across some of the most dramatic dunes on the Wirral Peninsula. Elevated tees lead to plateau greens, while deep hollows and frequent changes of level make distances difficult to judge. Coastal wind adds another layer, particularly on the longer holes, where a yardage that looks modest on the card can play far differently. Four greens from Old Tom's original layout still survive.

Wallasey's most important contribution came through member Dr Frank Stableford. Frustrated by the effect of strong winds on bogey competitions, he devised a points system that allowed golfers to recover from one poor hole. The first Stableford competition was played here on 16 May 1932, giving the club a lasting place in everyday golf.