No 41 - Formby

Formby is unique in that, despite its close proximity to the coast, it can feel like an inland track, but this special blend is what helps make it a must-play

Formby
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41 FORMBY

Architect: Park 2006 position: 43 Stats: 6,698 yds; par 72; SSS 74 GF: £75-£160 T: 01704 872164 W: formbygolfclub.co.uk Formby is a unique course as, despite its proximity to the coast, in many places it feels more like an inland track.

Predominantly it is a links with fast-running fairways, deep bunkers and firm greens.

But, winding past mature pines over heather-lined fairways, I kept thinking I was playing a heathland course.

Every so often when the breeze got up however, I was reminded the sea was just a few sand hills away.

My memory of the course focuses on the front nine – the par-5 3rd, the attractive par-3 5th and the par-4 7th, where you play through an avenue of pine trees and up to an elevated green. FB

+ Unique blend of links and heathland; clubhouse full of character - Slightly weak finish (16,17, 18) when compared to what has gone before Enter your review of Formby below

Fergus Bisset
Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?