DESTINATION GOLF SCOTLAND 2026
Royal Troon( Old)
Royal Troon( Portland)
The Portland is a more low-running affair than its famous sibling. It lies immediately inland of the Old championship course, with the two almost entwining at the farthest point of the links. There are plenty of classic elements here and that embraces the art of subtlety especially around the greens. Indeed, the greens should never be trifled with and if you miss with your approach shots, high penalties are likely. It is considerably shorter than the Championship course but it is a fine test in its own right and the back nine contains just two par fours as the three par threes and four par fives offer some lovely scoring opportunities
Royal Troon( Old)
Set right above the sea, Royal Troon ensures that your opening holes are filled with sea views to the Isle of Arran This is out-andback links golf at its finest and the deeper you go, the better it becomes. The brilliant 7th, with its 10 bunkers, is followed by the famous- even notorious- par-3 Postage Stamp. At 123 yards it is the shortest hole on the Open rota and yet it once claimed a score of 15, in the 1950 Open. Holes 10 and 11, beside the railway line, squeeze your ambition and show how the terrain has been used to wonderful effect. The run for home sees more of the beguiling subtleties that makes links golf so bewitching, as the Open Championship proved in 2024.
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.
Prestwick St Nicholas
This is a course which proudly boasts Old Tom Morris as a founding member … so you can be sure of a traditional links experience. Located next to the Firth of Clyde, the first three and last three holes enjoy the most shapely terrain – certainly the 16th is a rollercoaster and the dramatic short par four 3rd( 280 yards) hits from a high tee out towards the sea. A small road dissects the course and when you cross to the 4th, the dunes roll at a gentler pace … but don’ t be surprised by a blind shot here or there, and the greens are excellent. The course is on the short side but the 18th is a 220 yard par three!
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