Machrihanish Golf Club
One of the greatest thrills in World golf is to stand on the 1st tee at the wonderful Machrihanish GC. Continuously voted the best opening hole in golf it has a 'get out' carry of 150 yards across the bay with the Atlantic Ocean pounding onto the beach to your left. If you take on too much of this 428 yard dog-leg left and do not quite connect, you could be building sand castles on the beach.
This is a truly brilliant natural links course, always in immaculate condition, with many blind shots to lovely, large and gently rolling greens that will require all your skills to master. On his first visit to Machrihanish to extend the course, in 1879, Old Tom Morris commented that "The Almichity had gowff in his e’e (eye) when he made this place."
Royal Troon Golf Club
Venue for the 2004 Open Championship it has the classic links out and in layout. The first six are straight out from the clubhouse it then turns left, right and back on itself for six more, which includes one of Scotland's, if not the worlds, most famous par 3s, the 123 yard 8th 'Postage Stamp'. A Par 3 that proves it does not need to be over 200 yards to prove difficult.
The final six play towards the clubhouse and invariably into the prevailing wind as one would expect from a Championship golf links.
Royal Troon will play host to the 2016 Open Championship and is closed to visitor play from 17th June until 24th July, reopening to visitors on Monday 25th July.
Turnberry Ailsa
Turnberry played host to the 138th Open Championship in 2009. The Ailsa golf course held a wonderful four days of golf with the champion Stewart Cink winning a 4 hole playoff against five time Open champion Tom Watson. The veteran Watson had a 12 foot putt on his last hole to become the oldest champion in the history of the Open.
Turnberry proved that it could provide a great test for the golfers of the 21st Century and it has truly returned to the rota of Open Championship golf courses. One of Scotland's most scenic golf links the golfer is offered what seems like mountainous dunes, craggy rock cliffs and beautiful plateau fairways to play upon. The Ailsa justifies its' reputation.
Regarded as one of Scotland’s top links with many magnificent golfing holes. The course has a multitude of wee grasping pot bunkers, scattered across undulating fairways, which are waiting patiently for the wayward. The greens are wonderfully protected and the Par3s are amongst the best I have ever played.
Western Gailes has held several Scottish Amateur Championships, the PGA Championship and is regularly used as a final qualifier for the Open when it is at Royal Troon or Turnberry.
