Win a signed copy of The Golf Lover's Guide To England featuring Royal Lytham and St Annes

The delights and challenges of Royal Lytham and St Annes feature prominently in a splendid new book which would make the ideal Christmas gift for any golf aficionado.

The Golf Lover’s Guide to England by Michael Whitehead is a detailed survey of 33 of the country’s finest courses and we have a signed copy to be won in a great Gazette competition.

In this follow-up to his successful The Golf Lover’s Guide To Scotland, the author explains what makes each of the 33 courses unique in this informative and lavishly illustrated 248-page paperback.

Ideal for anyone planning a golfing trip, the description of each course includes scoring, yardage, fees and booking details, as well as a review of its history, a guide to how best to play the course and a study of its signature hole. The book also includes a historical overview of the sport in England.

In his entry on Royal Lytham and St Annes, Michael writes: “By its own admission, this grand old master lacks one rather obvious characteristic shared by all other venues on The Open rota that hug the coastline. Nevertheless Royal Lytham’s suburban setting has an intrinsic charm all of its own. Sea view or no sea view, you’ll remember your round of golf at this majestic links course for a very long time.

“If you’re searching for a constant examination of how straight you can hit a golf ball, then look no further. A badly sliced tee shot won’t find the shoreline, but it could quite easily discover rail tracks or one of 184 bunkers so ingeniously plotted around the fairways.

“With the exception of a handful of holes (specifically 6, 8 and 10) this is a relatively flat course for a links, largely devoid of the usual undulating rollercoaster fairways. The great courses don’t try and hide anything – they’re happy to show you the way, but leave getting there up to you.”

Michael spotlights the 17th as the course’s signature hole and writes: “From the site of where a young Ballesteros announced himself upon the golfing world, on to one that bore witness to a golf shot so great they placed a plaque on the exact spot where it was taken.

“The par-four 17th, swarmed by bunkers either side and across, is a tough dogleg left towards an open green.

“The Bobby Jones plaque lies on the left of the fairway by the third drive bunker and commemorates his terrific effort which secured the 1926 Open – don’t miss it.”

With a recommended retail price of £14.99, the book is available now via Amazon or direct from its publisher Pen and Sword White Owl at www.pen-and-sword.co.uk

We’re giving away a free copy of The Golf Lover’s Guide to England, signed by its author Michael Whitehead, in our great Gazette competition. To have a chance of winning, simply answer this question:

Which legendary golfer won the Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 1979 and 1988?

Email your answer to [email protected] and please include your name, full address and a daytime contact number.

Entries must reach us by 5pm next Tuesday, December 1, and normal Gazette competition rules apply.