"The Ailsa is easily one of the finest courses in the world" Sandy Lyle
Long regarded as one of the finest courses in the world, the Turnberry Ailsa came to international prominence with the famous duel between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson over the four days of the 1977 Open. It was then, in brilliant sunny weather, that a capacity crowd was treated to an exhilarating display of golf from two of the best golfers the world has ever known.
From the admirable short fourth to the short 11th the Ailsa Course follows the shoreline. The ninth is Turnberry's signature hole, with the remote tee set on a rocky cliff top on the edge of the sea, with 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 scenic glories of the Ailsa Course are to be savoured - the granite dome of Ailsa Craig and the famous lighthouse.
The Turnberry - King Robert the Bruce is links golf at its exhilarating best, with undulating greens, glorious fairways and magnificent ocean holes.
The view that greets you from the brow of Bain's Hill is just one moment among many you'll want to savour 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.
Widely regarded as the Kintyre's signature hole, the 8th, involves a drive from an elevated tee towards the sea and an unforgettable blind second shot to the green set in a gully by the rocks. Unseen from the tee, hidden by a narrow ridge, the green is in a cove that seems to merge with the craggy beach beyond. As for the 9th, an invigorating drive offers the choice between adventure and caution. The par 5 is beautifully set against the background of the renowned landmarks of Turnberry, Ailsa Craig and the Lighthouse.
Turnberry is situated just 55 miles from Glasgow Airport, and 20 miles from Glasgow Prestwick International Airport. The resort's Chrysler people carriers are available for those guests requiring transfers.
Ascot golf tours featuring Turnberry - King Robert the Bruce
The course at Prestwick is famous for its first hole which runs parallel to the train line, just yards from the fairway. Prestwick GC also shares its boundaries with Royal Troon and is just 20 minutes from Turnberry, with Open final qualifying courses such as Kilmarnock Barassie, Gailes Links, Western Gailes and Irvine Bogside all within just 5 minutes drive. Prestwick was the first course to hold the Open Championship.
Western Gailes is a quality links golf course and challenge, with deep rough and bunkering interspersed with gorse, 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. Water features (burns) also await wayward approach shots.
The Old Course at Royal Troon is one of the world’s great links courses. There is the wind to contend with, and deep rough interspersed with gorse and broom, so accurate shot making is essential. There are all the classic challenges of links golf with bumps, hollows and pot bunkers.
Players should make their scores on the outward nine, as the prevailing north-westerly wind can make the back nine extremely difficult. The most famous hole is the 8th - the Postage Stamp – a short par three played to a tiny green!
Troon has played host to the Open Championship on many occasions with past winners including the great Tom Watson. There was plenty of drama in 1989 when American Mark Calcavechia triumphed over Australians Greg Norman and Wayne Grady in a play-off after Norman had fought his way back on the final day with a course record 64.
Glasgow Airport is 40 minutes away, using the A77, and Prestwick Airport 10 minutes easy driving. Drivers from Glasgow and Paisley should take the A77 or A736. From the North and East, drivers should use the A77 and A71. Traffic from England and South should take the M6, A74, A75, A76 and A77 to Troon. Once at Troon, follow signs to golf course.
Gullane I is a great test of links golf with smooth, fast greens, pot bunkers and an almost ever present sea breeze. There are glorious views out over the Firth of Forth as the beautifully maintained, rolling fairways wind their way out along the coast. The wind makes shot selection challenging and rewards the creative golfer.
The course was established in 1884 and has played host to Open Championship Final Qualifying.
Take the A1 from Edinburgh heading East, turning off at the junction for A198 at Tranent. Follow the A198 through Longniddry and Aberlady. As you approach Gullane, the Visitors' Car Park is on the right immediately before the Village.
The North Berwick Golf Club is the thirteenth oldest in the world, founded in 1832 by a group of local landowners and gentlemen, among them a soldier who fought in Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo.
A list of past captains on the wall in the clubhouse proudly displays a distinguished past - Knights, Earls, Lords, Marquis and a former British Prime Minister, A.J.Balfour!
Used as an Open Championship qualifying course when the Open is at Muirfield, North Berwick has the reputation as being a real shot maker's course. Not the longest of layouts but testing all the same. Excellent view from the links right over to Fife on a clear day.
