Staff undertaking routine drainage work discovered the suspected unexploded artillery shell buried under the golf course
15:18, 12 Dec 2025Updated 17:23, 12 Dec 2025
A bomb squad was called in and all games were cancelled at The Royal Liverpool Golf Club after a suspected unexploded artillery shell was found on the course. The historic links in Hoylake was cordoned off today, December 12, after staff undertaking routine drainage work discovered the explosive buried in the ground.
Merseyside Police were called to the golf club on Meols Drive at around 12.30pm. A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that emergency services are at The Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake following a report that a suspected unexploded artillery shell was found on the course.
“At around 12.30pm today, Friday December 12, officers were called to a report that a suspected device was found on the golf course.
“The site has been cordoned off whilst emergency services are at the golf course. Members of the public are advised to avoid the area. Thank you for your patience whilst we investigate this incident.”
All games have reportedly been called off. The 130-year-old clubhouse remains open, as Royal Liverpool Golf Club secretary Simon Newland told the ECHO the building is a safe distance from the suspected artillery site.
The Army Bomb Squad perform a controlled explosion at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake this afternoon(Image: Iain Watts/Liverpool Echo)
He said: “We’ve been undertaking some drainage work on the golf course and come across what looks to be like an unexploded artillery shell. It’s very far down, about four or five foot under the playing surface, and one imagines it’s from the wartime. So we have evacuated the golf course and we’ve invited the police and bomb squad to have a look at it.
“At the moment, we’re currently waiting for an update and the initial inspections to be completed, and at the moment we have no clue when we’ll be able to recommence golf. All games are off for now.”
When the ECHO arrived at the scene a controlled explosion took place. A number of bomb disposal and police personnel were at the scene.
The club, founded in 1869, has hosted the Open Championship 13 times. The most recent was in 2023, when US golfer Brian Harman claimed the Claret Jug.
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