The Ayrshire Coast
The Ayrshire Coast is a short golf blog post, highlighting some of the best golf courses to play around the area of Ayrshire.
The Ayrshire Coast is less than 50 miles long but boasts over 20 golf courses, including some of the best Links courses in Scotland.
There is a golf course for every budget. These range from Maybole Golf, which you can play from as little as 5 pounds, up to Turnberry, Ailsa Course which you can pay up to 395 pounds to play. It really is a fun place to visit as a keen golfer and the coastal courses are steeped in the history of the game.
If you haven’t played here yet, then let me give you a little taste of what you are missing.
My favourite courses on the Ayrshire Coast.
Turnberry – Ailsa
This was one of the first golf courses that I ever saw on television. Back in the 80s, there used to be a Pro-Celebrity Challenge that was played on the Ailsa course. I started golf because of watching the likes of Ian Woosnam and Roger Davies playing with Terry Wogan and Sean Connery. Not forgetting the remarkable Peter Alliss commentating the whole thing.
The Ailsa Course is most famous for “The Duel in the Sun” due to the amazing battle between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson. The final round of the 1977 Open Championship will always be one of the most exciting finishes ever.
A green fee will cost between 100-395 pounds. Their website can be found here.
Royal Troon – Old
The Open Championship has been held here 9 times. Most recently in 2016 when Henrick Stenson lifted the Claret Jug after beating Phil Mickelson. The 8th hole is the famous, short PAR 3 called the “Postage Stamp” due to its tiny green.
A green fee will cost you between 220-285 pounds. Their website can be found here.
Prestwick – The Links
The so-called “Birthplace of the Open Championship” because Prestwick held the first Open Championship in 1860, which was won by Willie Park. The Open has been played here a total of 24 times, the last one being in 1925. This place is a must-visit for all golfers due to the history of the club and the friendliness of the staff and its members. The clubhouse is full of history and dining room will blow you away. One of the oldest but friendliest clubs in the UK.
A green fee will cost you between 85-250 pounds. Their website can be found here.
Western Gailes
This is a fantastic links course that, sadly, not many people know about. It has been a tournament venue since 1903, hosting such events as the PGA Championships, British Seniors Amateur, Scottish Amateur, Curtis Cup, European Men’s Amateur Team Championships and The Boys Home Internationals, to name but a few. A real gem of a course with stunning views of the coast. A good test of golf, with or without the wind because of its rolling fairways and tricky greens.
A green fee will cost you between 70-190 pounds. Their website can be found here.
Dundonald
Another amazing golf course that not many people have heard of. This is a wonderful links course that has hosted lots of Professional events like the European Tour Qualifying, Scottish Open, Seniors Open & Ladies Scottish Open. There has been a links course here since 1883, but since 2019 it has undergone a 25 million pound facelift and is now a stunning place to visit. It is now a true destination due to a brand new clubhouse and brand new accommodation, in the style of lodges, that have been erected. This really is the bee’s knees I always used to say.
A green fee will cost you between 75-250 pounds. Their website can be found here.
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The main image is from Glen Moyer.