Welcome to UK-GolfGuide's page which contains feedback from site users who have played at St. Annes Old Links Golf Club.

Whilst UK-GolfGuide.com attempts to turf out the more unhelpful or just plain daft contributions, some may slip through. If you have played the course or hold a different opinion to those of the contributors, feel free to use the Add your Comments icon to provide a broader spread of views. If you have a gripe with the club then take it up with them directly - please don't use this facility for airing grievances!.

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Steve Warne (England) 17/05/07

You start to wonder what you've come to as you head through Blackpool and all the kiss-me-quick hats, donkey rides and candy floss, you see a patch of ground with some flags in and fully expect a seaside pitch and putt.

This is anything but. Ignore the fact that this club is

(a) a near neighbour of the more famous Lytham St Annes,

(b) an even nearer neighbour of Blackpool town centre and

(c) has a slightly unusal vista of Blackpool tower and Blackpool Airport. Take it for what it is.....a fantastic links course.

SAOL as it's known locally is everything you could want from a links course, with sand dunes, fast greens and wind. You need to be right on top of your game to score well here and the view up the 18th fairway up towards the clubhouse.

The club itself an an old fashioned members club, yet people are friendly. Yes you need to mind your manners, don't wear shorts without long socks, no collarless shirts etc.... but don't let that detract you.

Facility wise, the club and clubhouse is there for it's members. It isn't flash or over-elaborate, just a pleasant members clubhouse wish pleasant views of the links from the 1st floor and nice food. It doesn't pretend to be a big flashy modern venue aiming to get societies and big corporate days there all the while....it doesn't need to.

First Class!

Value for Money	8
Challenge	9
Off Course	7

Marcus Wroe (England) 19/03/07

A superb and brutal (in the wind) classic links course. Played it last Monday (12th March 07) and thoroughly enjoyed it. A real challenge with superb quick but true greens and fairway bunkers that deny any chance of reaching the green with ease. Friendly (but oldschool) clubhouse and good value for money. Highly recommended and i'll back back to play as a members guest on invitation day i hope!

Value for Money	9
Challenge	9
Off Course	7

Richard Lupton (England) 16/03/07

Here is a track that offers all you expect from a links course.

Lots of run on fairly tight and well guarded fairways. Some tight bunkers where a "splash out" is the only option. Terrific greens that are often tricky to get to. The wind can be cruel, it can be kind. It's a track where you play a hole well as a visitor and walk off the green with a smile, if you play the whole course well, you're on a high for days!

St Annes Old Links has the lot, with a magnificent looking Clubhouse overlooking the whole thing. There are holes here that stick in the mind for different reasons - a fabulous looking hole, a real challenge, an absolute brute, they're all in there.

The par 3s are great holes, in particular the 9th played back towards the Clubhouse where there is nothing for short. The par 5 fifth is a brute into the wind, the 18th a terrific finishing hole with a blind approach shot to a well defended green. There are no more than a couple of "weaker holes" on the entire course, but there are some real crackers.

The Clubshop is large and well stocked, with assistance and a good welcome at hand. The bar is terrific, overlooking the course and giving a terrific view of the 9th and 18th greens. The catering is of a good standard, though the insistance that jacket and tie be worn at the height of summer can be a discomfort. Green fees are not onerous considering the quality of the course you are enjoying.

All in all, a must for any keen golfer, particularly admirers of traditional links courses.

Value for Money	8
Challenge	9
Off Course	8

I Haigh (England) 25/07/05

Our Golf Society visited St Annes Old Links for the first time on 15th July 2005, whilst the Open was on at St Andrews.

For all the times I have been to Blackpool, if only I had known that just a mile away from the cap sleeve tops, tattoos and ale guts, lays the golfing paradise that is St Annes.

For less than the price of two wristbands for the fair you can enjoy a day of the best links golf that you are going to get anywhere…….without queuing up once.

True, St Annes isn’t blessed with spectacular scenery. It does have a traditional Links Railway but the “Big One” and the Tower are silent spectators for your entire day, and you may get to watch a few planes and helicopters coming and going over the fence…..some a little too close for comfort.

However, you don’t play the scenery, you play the course, and what a course it is. The sense of expectation starts as you pull into the car park and the links is laid out before you.

There is nothing manufactured here and credit must go to the green keepers as the course can only be described as perfect with the greens like glass billiard tables. Small touches like the inside of the holes being painted white right up to the surface made us feel like we were at St Andrews.

The Website does not do the course justice, we played in a light breeze which turned Stroke Index 18 into Stroke Index 1 but at least looking for our balls took our eye off the back of Pontins over the field.

Off the course, you may be mistaken for thinking that the grand Clubhouse may be stuck in the old days and full of port-swilling old boys just waiting for a Visitor to infringe a minor rule…………..Far from it. From the moment we arrived we were made to feel most welcome by the staff and members alike and the facilities were second to none.

All in all, a great day of “traditional” golf and full value for money……..just like the fair?

WBO Golf Society

Value for Money	9
Challenge	9
Off Course	10

Andy Phillips (England) 12/07/05

Love this course, my mate's dad is a member and I always play as a guest 2/ 3 times a year. The course is well kept and well worth a visit even if it is flat.

Clubhouse welcoming and fantastic views across the course, looking forward to going back!

Value for Money	10
Challenge	8
Off Course	9

Neil Scott (England) 08/06/03

This course has a classic feel to it. On a calm day good players will be able to take advantage of it but is the wind is up you will struggle to shoot your handicap. It has some lovely holes, especially the par 3's and the green fee is more than reasonable.