Southwest Scotland
This is the region that gave birth to the world’s oldest golf tournament, the Open Championship. Prestwick first staged the Open back in 1860 when just eight golfers took part. Although this course is no longer on the Open rota it nevertheless provides an immensely enjoyable round amid stirring beauty – what a way to begin your Scotland tour with a warm up round where the first Open was played!
A short drive up the coast you will come to the town of Troon – home to Royal Troon an exquisite test of links golf.
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Turnberry |
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South of Troon is Turnberry – one of the most famous names in the golfing world and home to the Ailsa (site of the 2009 British Open) and Kintyre Courses. Honorable mentions are: Western Gailes, Glasgow Gailes, Kilmarnock Barassie, Irvine Bogside and Ravenspark Golf Courses.
Not to be forgotten is Machrihanish. Just a short flight from Glasgow, you will experience links golf in its purest form. Opening toward the end of this year is Machrihanish Dunes - the first 18-hole links course to be built on the west coast of Scotland in 100 years.
Westin Turnberry
Ailsa Course - The first three holes pose a fairly tough opening, particularly when the wind blows from the direction of Ailsa Craig, the dramatic rock 11 miles out to sea.
From the admirable short fourth to the short 11th the Ailsa Course follows the shoreline, the fifth to the eight framed by dunes and the ninth, tenth and eleventh flanked by craggy rocks. It is a thrilling passage full of stout hitting.
Perhaps the ninth is Turnberry's trademark, the remote tee set on a rocky premonitory on the edge of the sea, the drive across the corner of the bay and a glimpse of the site of Bruce's Castle (Robert the Bruce, Scottish King, 1306-1329). The narrow path to the tee and the tee shot itself are not recommended to those of a nervous disposition.
Length 6976 yds: SSS 72
Kintyre Course
Building on the challenges laid down by the famous old Arran course, the Kintyre is links golf at its exhilarating best. Undulating greens, glorious fairways, magnificent ocean holes, and all with stunning views of Kintyre, Arran, and the famous Turnberry Lighthouse.
The view that greets you from the brow of Bain's Hill is just one moment among many you'll want to savor again and again. As the short ascent is made from the 7th green, it is as if a theatrical curtain is opened to reveal a stunning set. The extra elevation multiplies the panorama that stretches in every direction, but the shots, too, are breathtaking.
Length 6827 yds: SSS 72
Prestwick
Prestwick Golf Club is situated just half an hour south west of Glasgow on the famous golfing Ayrshire coast. A stretch of land unequalled anywhere in the world for prime golfing terrain. Prestwick shares it boundaries with Royal Troon and is just 20 minutes from Turnberry, with Open final qualifying courses such as Kilmarnock Barassie, Glasgow Gailes, Western Gailes and Irvine Bogside all within just 5 minutes drive.
Length 6544 yds: SSS 73
Royal Troon
One of the great links courses in Scotland, the Old Course is a challenging test of golfing ability. With the wind to contend with, and deep rough interspersed with gorse and broom, accurate shot making is essential. Players should make their scores on the outward nine, as the prevailing north-westerly wind can make the back nine extremely difficult.
Although a links course, the Portland is a little more sheltered than the Old Course and, of course, shorter. The holes meander through terrain filled with gorse and broom and has a generous helping of Par 3’s, five in all. This is tempered however, with four Par 5’s, all of which are on the back nine.
Machrihanish
Is situated on the Kintyre Peninsula 140 miles by road from Glasgow. This superior natural 18 hole golf course is well known throughout the world with arguably "the best opening hole in golf" - a spectacular opening hole, large sandy bunkers, neat fairways, tough rough and greens of the highest standard.
Little has been changed to disturb the natural scenic beauty and inspiring challenge of the delightful 18 hole links golf course. The outward nine follow the hills and hollows among the sand dunes, with the stunning clear waters lapping on the sandy beach by the opening hole.
The inward nine holes are pleasant with the backdrop of the south Kintyre hills. The back nine feature two par fives and three tricky par threes.
The course, unlike mainland courses, plays differently every day with wind temperatures, strengths and directions changing quickly and regularly affected by the Atlantic currents and the coastal conditions.
Length 6225 yds: SSS 71
