DESTINATIONGOLF. TRAVEL SOUTHWEST
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 par threes( 9 and 11) are outstanding.
Trump Turnberry
( King Robert the Bruce)
The King Robert the Bruce 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.
Prestwick
Prestwick Golf Club is the Birthplace of The Open. That in itself is a statement to inspire you. It promises one of the most captivating rounds of golf you will ever play, with eclectic qualities that have stood the test of time. These qualities include vast swathes of bunkering, some of which comes with railway-sleepered sides and steps to reach the bottom. How about blind shots that defy belief? The up-and-over par three 5th, for example, is called Himalayas, and the approach to the 17th combines the two, with the hidden green defended by the notorious beach-sized bunker. All in all, Prestwick’ s landscape of crumpled dunes is home to an intriguing variety of holes and it is a‘ must play’ links. Little has changed, so revel in that experience, before spending an hour in the clubhouse where history is king.
Glasgow Gailes
Glasgow Gailes makes up the wonderful links foursome on this stretch of the Ayrshire coast. Tucked in beside Western Gailes, the links dates back to 1892, with Willie Park Jr redesigning the course in 1912. Set slightly inland – the railway line hooks around it – this is a stern links test where accuracy is paramount. Gorse and heather dominate, appearing constantly on the low ridges which typify this course. They will swallow any errant shots. It makes for a round where your judgement and nerve will be tested constantly. Those narrow fairways will be daunting to many, but what joy when you find them. It really is that sort of place where you’ ll find yourself holding your breath. Known for its springy turf, its wonderful greens and its variety of holes, perhaps Sandy Lyle said it best:“ One of the world’ s truly great tests of links golf.”
Trump Turnberry( Ailsa)
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