Some of England’s greatest golf courses, those whose glorious history and traditions helped shape the modern game, are so near Blackpool Airport that you can see play in progress as your aircraft comes in to land.

Just 5 minutes after you walk from the arrivals hall – and Blackpool Airport’s arrival procedure is perhaps the smoothest and most efficient you will ever experience – you could be driving into the St Annes Old Links Golf Club where the breezes that blow off the Irish Sea are definitely a factor players need to consider. The four ponds here also influence play on six holes and the club describes the course as ‘exhilarating and demanding – a course to test anyone’s golfing skills.’ St. Annes Old Links was laid out by Alex Herd, winner of the 1902 Open.

Not much more than the whack of a ball away is the fabled Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club. Established in 1886 this is one of the world’s premier links courses. It has hosted 2 Ryder Cups, 10 Open Championships and numerous other major tournaments. Permanently sideways leaning trees are a graphic indicator of the direction and strength of the winds that for more a century have caused golfers to curse the nearness of the open sea. The winds make for a formidable final five holes.

Golfers from across the world have flown into Blackpool Airport at the start of their sporting visit. Some, the big names that make headlines on the international sports pages, touch down in their own lavishly furnished executive jets. They fly into Blackpool because, like all the airport’s regular passengers, they know they will get an extra friendly reception here - staff will cheerfully give them all the help they need.

Golfers who arrive here aboard scheduled passenger flights from Gerona in Spain, London, Dublin, Belfast and the Isle of Man will find Blackpool Airport a pleasure. Unlike the big city airports that are many miles away, people who work here are always ready to talk and to advise. The Fylde Coast was built for fun – you can’t miss it.

If you are a golfer who likes a sporting challenge and who gets a kick out of the big life - great restaurants, nightclubs, hotels with style and all the entertainment of the family holiday fairgrounds - you’d do well to fly into Blackpool’s easy-access airport for a golfing break with a whole lot of pluses.