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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. Royal Troon is a 7097 yards par 71 course. | 
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The Ailsa Course is a 6,440 yards par 69. | 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 7,000 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 to their limits. | |||||||||||||
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. The Kintyre Course is a 6504 yards par 72.
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Prestwick is a 6544 yards par 71 course.
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Western Gailes is a 6,639 yards par 71 course. |
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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. Machrihanish is a 6225 yards par 70 course.
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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. Dundonald is a 6765 yards par 72 course. | 
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Other recommended golf courses in the
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| Glasgow
Gailes | Kilmarnock
Barassie | |||||||||
