Golf
Vacations in Scotland - The
Ayrshire CoastGolf
Vacations in Scotland - The
Ayrshire CoastRoyal Troon Golf
Club (
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A classic 'out and back' links with tight fairways flanked by gorse, heather and rough. The prevailing wind makes the back nine one of the toughest tests in golf - on the first day of the 1997 Open Championship only two players could match the par of 36 on the back nine. The par 3, eighth hole - known as the postage stamp - is rightly regarded as one of the worlds toughest, involving playing from an elevated tee, usually into a strong wind, to a green just 25 feet across at its widest part.
Troon is a relatively easy course to access - albeit a tad expensive. In order to get a round on the Championship you have to also take a round on Troon Portland course and the cost for the two course package in 2005 is £200 - although it does include coffee and lunch. Visitors are welcome on Modays, Tuesdays and Thursdays only. They will require a handicap certificate - the maximum handicap limit is 20 for men and 30 for ladies.
Turnberry - Ailsa
Course ()
Quite possibly the most scenically stunning course on the Open Championship rota. Since being transformed by Mackenzie Ross in the 1950's, the course is now regarded as one of the worlds finest and has hosted 3 Open Championships. In order to get an advance time for Turnberry (Ailsa Course) you will have to stay at the Turnberry Hotel (5 stars). This is expensive (minimum cost of a double room in 2005 is £375) but wonderful, and tee times are usually easy to come by when staying at the hotel. Alternatively, the hotel makes times available to non resident golfers about 2 weeks in advance - not so good when planning a trip in advance but a good option on a short notice trip, or if you are prepared to take a chance.
Western Gailes ()
Another traditional Scottish links - founded in 1897 - this is a course which deserves to be more widely known. It is recognised as one of the finest and truest links courses in Scotland, measuring 6714 yards from the championship tees. The course has played host to the Curtis Cup, PGA Championship, Seniors and the prestigious Scottish Amateur Championship. It is also one of the final qualifying courses when The Open is played at Turnberry or Royal Troon. The clubhouse, with its view of the hills of Arran and the sharp outline of Ailsa Craig standing out from the shimmering sea, gives an instant picture of the delights which Western Gailes provides and the comforts it affords to all who visit. The course is, as the standard scratch score rating of 74 indicates, never other than an excellent test of true links golf. Any change in the strength or direction of the wind, that usually varies between south-westerly and north-westerly off the adjacent Firth of Clyde, provides new challenges that are compounded by the undulating terrain and finely contoured greens cleverly located and set in the folds of the surrounding sand dunes.
Glasgow Gailes ()
This championship links course with heather-lined fairways, superb turf and luxurious rolling greens is the seaside course of the Glasgow Golf Club, which was established in 1787. The course was opened in 1892, although the current layout was completed in 1912 by Willie Park. Another Open Championship qualifying course when the Open comes to Ayrshire.
Irvine Golf Club
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The Bogside course at Irvine is a superbly testing links/heathland course with narrow fairways threading through, and over, ancient duneland. Established in 1887 and designed by the ubiquitous James Braid, this course is also an Open Championship qualifier when the Open visits Troon or Turnberry.
Prestwick Golf Club
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The original home of the Open Championship, Old Prestwick is a course steeped in the history of Scottish golf and a delight to play. The club was founded in 1851, and the members enticed Tom Morris from St Andrews to become their professional. Shortly afterwards, in 1860, they announced ' A General Golf Tournament for Scotland', afterwards renamed the Open Championship, which can still claim to be the premier tournament in world golf. The course measures 6,544 yards to a SSS 72 and although no longer a host to the Open it has recently held both the British and Scottish Amateur Championships. Prestwick has a special place in Scottish golf and was described by Bernard Darwin as ' a course without enemies.'
Machrihanish ()
Old Tom Morris, on being asked to make some changes at the turn of the century, declared the land here as being 'created by the Almighty for the express purpose of playing golf'. It's not the most accessible of courses but is well worth making the effort for - although to do it justice you should allow a day to get there and a day to return, and plan to play at least 36 holes. The opening hole is stunning and tempts you to take on as much of the carry over the beach as you dare.Originally this was a club for the whisky distillers and merchants of Campbeltown, who travelled across the peninsula by using a now defunct small railway. Times have changed and the club and the clubhouse are now noted for their hospitality to visitors. The course measures 6,228 to a SSS 70 and each hole is unique enough to linger in your memory long after you have returned home. Machrihanish is actually in Argyll but can be included in an Ayrshire itinerary. This will involve taking a ferry to the Isle of Arran, driving across this mountainous and beautiful island, and then another ferry to the remote Kintyre peninsula. (Machrihanish is also included in the Highlands & Islands section of this site).
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