It is well accepted that golf began on the linksland on the east coast of Scotland, played there at least since the 16th century. Once the railway age began, and holidays at the seaside became a possibility, towns such as St Andrew, Gullane and North Berwick developed into summer resorts. All of these towns had historic golf links and soon many Scots, as well as the more adventurous middle class English travellers, became acquainted with the royal and ancient game.

Golf took off much later in England than in Scotland. It was predominantly an inland game played in the major cities, large towns and even in small market towns throughout the country. But golf was also played at the coast. Linksland is not a Scottish preserve; it exists all around the English coast too, for example in Northumberland, Norfolk, Kent, Sussex, Devon and not least on the Wirral and the Lancashire coast between Liverpool and Blackpool.

The earliest coastal club to be established in England was Royal North Devon golf club at Westward Ho! in 1864. Other well-known clubs followed, such as Royal Liverpool at Hoylake (1869), West Lancashire at Blundellsands (1873), Felixstowe (1880), Royal Isle of Wight (1882), Lytham & St Annes (1886) and St George’s at Sandwich (1887). But none of these early links could be classified as seaside resort golf clubs. Their members typically consisted of local dignitaries as well as affluent gentlemen from the major cities. For example, the majority of the early members of Royal St George’s had London addresses and were probably also members of Royal Blackheath and Royal Wimbledon.