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The whole coastline of Ayrshire is virtually one continuous golfing ground divided
up into the eighteen holes of some of the most famous places on the world's golfing
map: from Royal Troon in the north to Turnberry in the south. It is probably the
case that one could tee up a ball in Prestwick and play golf continuously without
leaving a golfing ground for ten or more miles. All on links land, all on golf
holes that are among the best in the world. This area is also particularly associated
with Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet and there are some great visitor attractions
dedicated to the subject. |
This prestigious club came to be in 1878 when twenty-three members from Prestwick
went their own way and built this splendid links course adjoining Prestwick. Today
it is one of the great Open venues, favoured for its quirky greens and long holes
that can make for low scoring or quite the opposite! Troon has the longest and
shortest holes of all the Open venues. The 577 yard sixth hole and the 126 yard
eighth hole - the Postage Stamp. So called because of its tiny green, this hole
is in one way characteristic of Troon - miss a green at Troon and simply you drop
a shot. Troon is surely one of the world's great golfing shrines.
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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 Turnberry
Hotel and the sea, this great course weaves in and out of spectacular dunes that,
with Turnberry lighthouse and Ailsa Craig standing over 1200 foot high out at
sea, form great backdrops to all of the holes. Although stretched to over 7,200
yards for Open Championships, 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. This course has seen some of the best exhibitions ever in
the game, particularly over its closing holes testing the world's greatest players
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The Kintyre Course designed by Donald Steel offers a serious challenge to golfers
of every level and is a fine complement to its sister course. The Kintyre will
be used as a final Open Championship qualifying course in 2004 when The Open returns
to Royal Troon. |
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| This lovingly
tended old golf course, laid down by Tom Morris in 1850 hosted the first twelve
Open Championships. Despite many little changes through the years, there are many
blind tee shots remaining which make for very demanding second shots. Every hole
is interesting and many idiosyncratic. Every golfer should experience playing
Prestwick at least once in their golfing career.
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Sited on a narrow tract of land between the Atlantic
Ocean and the Ayrshire coast's railway line, the Gailes is a marvellous classic
flat links that has shades of Troon, Turnberry and Prestwick all rolled into one.
With the well-sheltered holes winding through low dunes, the Gailes is long and
testing enough to have played host to some significant championships including
the Curtis Cup- it's also a regular Open qualifying venue. Western Gailes is a
course of great variety that is at once challenging for the experienced player
and a test for the able beginner.
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Machrihanish - Not an easy course to reach but still a magnet for keen golfers.
Established in 1876, it is a magnificent links layout. Best reached by air, this
is one of the great days out in golf. It is truly a hidden treasure.
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The
Carrick course at Loch Lomond is owned and operated by the five star Cameron House
Hotel and opened on the 1st of June 2007. Challenge, variety and playability have
been carefully integrated into the design to ensure an exciting and enjoyable
golf experience for golfers of all abilities. Multiple tee placements on each
hole provide a tremendous variety in yardage ranging from 5,200 yards from the
forward tees to more than 7,000 yards from the championship tees.
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| Dundonald
Links is an excellent, traditional new course located on the West Coast of Scotland
nearby Royal Troon and Western Gailes. The golf course is owned by the world famous
Loch Lomond Golf Club and was designed by Kyle Phillips whose other excellent
course designs in Scotland include Kingsbarns. Dundonald is a great addition to
the other fantastic courses on the Ayrshire coast.
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