Trump Turnberry (Ailsa)
Trump Turnberry (Ailsa)
Few courses can boast such a setting, such space and such
luxury. The recent makeover of the Ailsa course (by Martin Ebert)
and the hotel has vaulted Turnberry back to golf’s top table.
Everything here is on a big scale and that sense follows you from
one hole to the next. It bristles with confidence and swaggers
from one hole to the next. The back-and-forth nature of the
opening holes might sound tame on paper, but you’ll quickly
appreciate how good they are as they slip down to the sea. Big
bearded bunkers ripple along fairways while their greenside
brethren favour the deep pothole variety, nestling under greens.
From the 5th the course opens up and one excellent hole follows
another as you head out and back to the famous lighthouse. The
new par threes (9 and 11) are outstanding.
West Kilbride
Set on the edge of the Firth of Clyde, with the Isle of Arran
always in view, West Kilbride is a links exposed to the elements.
Holes start up high and slide down gradually to the sea, across
gently ribbed linksland. From the clubhouse – also up high – you
can see much of the course and the avenues of gorse which
divide holes. It is a serious test in the wind, whichever way it
blows, for holes typically move in one of two directions… which
means you’ll know exactly what awaits as you walk to the next
tee. The back nine keep you close to the water and you finish
with six intriguing par fours. The course is located at the northern
end of Ayrshire’s fine stretch of links.
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Trump Turnberry (Kintyre)
The Kintyre (once called Arran) may be regarded as the smaller
sibling of the mighty Ailsa alongside, but it is an impressive links in its
own right. Donald Steel redesigned the course in 2001, and he was
able to use additional land – Bain’s Hill – to add new holes. These
create drama and beauty in equal measure. Located at the farthest
reaches of the links on the coastline this is where the short par four
8th drives from an elevated tee towards the sea and a green hidden
in a gully near the rocks. Change, however, is coming as Mackenzie
& Ebert are renovating the course and the holes around Bain’s Hill
will be reversed to make maximum use of the views to the sea.
Additional changes are being introduced elsewhere.
This is a links course with
considerable magic and golfers
will be enchanted.