North Shore

From its very beginnings, Blackpool North Shore has been a course designed to embrace its natural surroundings and the elements. Set on the highest points on the Fylde, its character comes from changing elevations, rolling fairways and the prevailing coastal winds from the Irish Sea. On a clear day, those elevated positions also provide wonderful views across the coast and towards the distant Lakeland hills.

At first glance, North Shore can appear generous, with open fairways that make it an enjoyable and welcoming course for golfers of all abilities. But appearances can be deceptive. Thoughtfully positioned bunkers, natural rough and well-placed hazards reward good course management, while a missed fairway can quickly turn what looked like a straightforward hole into a much more demanding challenge.

The coastal wind is part of the course’s DNA. Changing direction and strength can transform how individual holes are played, adding length, altering club selection and placing an even greater premium on accuracy and imagination. Combined with uphill and downhill shots, elevated tees and the natural movement of the land, it means North Shore rarely plays quite the same way twice.

Then there are the greens. Quick, true and full of subtle slopes and breaks, they provide perhaps the course’s finest defence. Some offer a relatively generous target, while others demand real precision. The result is a course that keeps play moving and remains accessible to the social golfer, yet provides a genuine test for even the most accomplished player.