Fairhaven Golf Club

BOOK TEE TIMES ONLINE NOW!
One of the ten best Open Qualifying Courses
This is a relatively unsung course compared to some of its more illustrious neighbours but is definitely a championship quality venue - and an entertaining one at that.
Fairhaven is not quite a traditional links course, although it does benefit from a sand sub-soil base that permits year-round golf. Originally designed by JA Steer & J Braid and further improved by Donald Steel. The strategically-placed revetted bunkers provide a great test, bringing the risk and reward shot to the forefront of players' course management.
Fairhaven is what its name suggests - there are no gimmicky or trick holes here - but at the same time it will test every department of any golfer's game. That's why it has hosted many prestigious tournaments since it was opened in 1923, including Open Qualifying when the Open Championship is held at nearby Royal Lytham & St. Annes. It has also received the accolade of being named one of "The Best 10 'Open Championship' Qualifying Courses" in a leading UK golf magazine. Incidentally, the professionals' course record of 64 was achieved by Justin Leonard in 1996, while he was playing in and leading the final qualifying rounds.
Fairhaven's greens are generally flat, so the priority is to avoid the hazards including the course's 117 separate bunkers. The par-4 4th hole, measuring 451 yards, is the toughest on the course especially with a fairway bunker and thick pines situated at driving distance before you hit your long approach to a green surrounded by bunkers.
If you're a long hitter you'll love this 6,883-yard course as there are six par-5s and three in the last four holes.
There'll be nothing to distract you from a good score either as peace and tranquillity is one of the course's hallmarks - you won't see one road or house from the course, despite it being only within two miles of both Lytham and St Annes. Colin Montgomerie would love it!