Ayrshire’s Best Golf Courses

3 July 2024

As The Open Championship rolls into town, Troon and the neighbouring towns and villages in Ayrshire are set to welcome over 250,000 golfers and golf fans to the local area.

Looking to play a round of golf in Ayrshire during your stay for the 152nd Open?

With the birthplace of The Open, Old Prestwick less than five miles along the road, Ayrshire is home to some of the best links and parkland golf courses in the country, and in this blog we will take a look at some must-visit courses to consider playing if you’re in the area for golf’s fourth and final Major of the year.

Old Prestwick, South Ayrshire

It goes without saying, playing at the course where the very first Open was played is a bucket-list golf course for any golfer. Founded in 1851, this par-71 true links test over 6,500 yards is open to visitors throughout the golf season. Designed by Old Tom Morris himself, this is a truly breathtaking setting, with views over the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran, the Heads of Ayr and Troon to the north-west.

Turnberry Resort, South Ayrshire

The world-famous Turnberry resort, is home to the one of the best links courses you’ll find anywhere. Continuously rated as one of the – if not the – best golf course in the British Isles, The Ailsa, the home of four Open Championships, the last of which was held in 2009 and won by Stewart Cink. The Ailsa was also the stage of the famous ‘Duel in the Sun’ battle between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson in 1977. A par-71 at just under 6,500 yards, you will simply not play another golf course like it.

Turnberry also has a 9-hole course and the King Robert The Bruce course. The KRTB measures over 7,000 yards, par-72 and is considered to be of Championship quality.

Both courses allow for visitors, and should you just the chance, both are world-class links golf courses.

Dundonald Links, North Ayrshire

Dundonald has hosted both the men’s and ladies Scottish Open, as well as Open qualifying events and a host of professional and amateur tournaments over the years. A par-72 at just over 7,000 yards, Dundonald like the others is a true test of links golf. A personal favourite of Shot Scope ambassador Peter Finch, Dundonald Links is open to visitors all year round and is highly recommended by several Shot Scope users.

Western Gailes, North Ayrshire

The term ‘hidden-gem’ is often overused, but applies very appropriately to Western Gailes. Not by any means the longest golf course in the area, but one of the most enjoyable and testing experiences of links golf. This par-71 course has been visited by the likes of Gary Player and Bubba Watson, who amongst others have left their autographs on the locker-room doors as part of a tradition for famous visitors to the golf course.

Kilmarnock Barassie, South Ayrshire

Like some of the others, Kilmarnock Barassie has hosted several quality amateur and professional events including Open Championship Final Qualifying and prestigious amateur titles such as British Boys’ Amateur Championships, Scottish Amateur Championships, Junior Opens and most recently the 2021 Women’s Amateur Championship.

The Championship par-72 golf course is yet another superb test of links golf, and with equally stunning views across the Firth of Forth, visitors are welcome all year round.

South Ayrshire Municipal Courses

For those looking for a slightly cheaper alternative to the Championship style courses, South Ayrshire Golf run 7 golf courses in the area: Fullarton, Darley, Lochgreen, Seafield Belleisle, Dalmilling and Girvan.

Run by the local council, each of the courses offers something slightly different, from parkland settings to links to a mix of both that cater for golfers of all abilities and levels.

Lochgreen and Belleisle are two that would appeal to the lower handicapper, with long par 5’s and testing par 3’s on each track. Did you know that Jack Nicklaus actually qualified for his first ever Open at Lochgreen?

Girvan, near Turnberry, is unique in the fact that you play the first 8 holes alongside the sea, with the back 10 in a parkland setting, so for those looking for something a bit quirky and not too long, it’s a great one to have some fun on.

All courses welcome visitors and are relatively inexpensive to play all-year round.

St.Nicholas, South Ayrshire

Founded by Old Tom Morris, St.Nicholas is the 26th oldest golf course in the world, and caters for golfers of all abilities with a par-69 test that can be relatively forgiving off the tee. Like all of the courses we have mentioned, a true links test brings the weather into play, situated on the coast with some testing par 4’s along the way.

Highly recommended by locals, this course offers visitors the chance to experience a quality golf course that won’t break the bank!

Never played links golf before?

Don’t worry, with Shot Scope we are here to help you improve your game, read our dedicated blog on links golf, and how best to save shots.

Every golf course mentioned, and indeed any golf course is available to preview with Shot Scope MyStrategy, giving golfers the chance to preview the golf course and plan their perfect strategy. If you are already a Shot Scope user, use this feature to overlay your own data and get a feel for how you would play the golf course.

With a Shot Scope GPS watch or laser rangefinder, take advantage of GPS Aerial maps available with the Shot Scope app on your smartphone or indeed Full hole maps and Personalised hole maps with our V5 and X5 GPS watches. By using these features, gain an advantage as you visit any golf course for the first time.

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