The Ailsa Course, Turnberry

The most junior of Open venues, the Ailsa course is nevertheless one of the best and toughest challenges in championship golf. Sited between the magnificent Trump Turnberry Hotel and the sea, this great course weaves in and out of spectacular dunes. Turnberry lighthouse and Ailsa Craig, standing over 1,200 foot high out at sea, form great backdrops to all of the holes, and the ruins of Robert the Bruce's castle can be seen from the signature 9th hole. Although stretched to over 7,000 yards for The Open, the medal course is not one that demands great power for par but rather more care and attention to detail both off the tee and with the approach shots. Perhaps best noted for the famous 'Duel in the Sun' between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in 1977, the Ailsa Course hosted The Open for the 4th time in 2009, when Stewart Cink triumphed.