2 Links Road,
Prestwick, Ayrshire KA9 1QG
Office
+44 (0)1292 477 404Pro shop
+44 (0)1292 479 483Fax
+44 (0)1292 477 255Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
David Fleming (PGA Professional).The Course:
18 holes. Seaside links. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
Old Tom Morris
55.501313
-4.615566
4 miles N of Ayr
From Glasgow follow M77, direction Kilmarnock, and then A77 direction Prestwick Airport. Leave A77 just north-east of Prestwick and take A79 direction Prestwick Airport. Follow A79 past airport and into centre of Prestwick. Turn right at traffic lights into Station Road (which becomes Links Road). Golf entrance is on your right in Links Road.
Prestwick Golf Club was home to the first 12 Open Championships (1860-72) and then hosted a further 12 between 1875 and 1925. Its place in golfing history is guaranteed. But historical significance is not the only attraction at Prestwick.
The golf course here is a favourite with links enthusiasts, even if some of the opening and closing holes are a tad "idiosyncratic." There are three short par-4s to be played in the first six holes, starting at the railway-hugging first. You'll also encounter a few blind shots to make, while Pow Burn dangerously flanks the 3rd and 4th holes.
The stretch of holes running from the par-4 6th through to the par-4 13th are as good as you'll find anywhere on a links golf course, and provide wonderful views onto the Firth of Clyde and across to the Isle of Arran. As with most seaside links courses there is plenty of pot bunkering to be avoided, as well as the vast railway-sleepered "Cardinal" bunker that straddles the fairway at the short par-5 3rd hole - a bunker far easier to get into than out of! The greens are generally fast and true with roller-coaster slopes that imitate the also curvaceous nature of the rolling fairways.
Taking a caddie on your first outing at Prestwick is recommended; local knowledge and finesse will serve you better than power, length and wayward hitting. Prestwick is an essential part of the Scottish golfing experience, where great pleasure can be gained in attempting to unravel the secrets of one of Scotland's most historic links.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and limited availability on Sundays; no visitors on Saturdays in high season (May-Sept).
Must book in advance. Maximum handicap: men 24; women 28.
Credit cards accepted (not Amex or Diners). Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Players generally walk this course. Caddies available.
Limited
The Open Championship, contested here on no fewer than 24 occasions, was last held at Prestwick in 1925 (see our Tournaments section >by Venue >Prestwick). The first twelve Opens (1860-1872) were played over the original 12-hole Tom Morris designed course, much of which remains intact to this day. Although no longer on The Open Championship rota, Prestwick is still used for major tournaments, including the British and Scottish Amateur championships.
One of the best golfing stories from Prestwick involves the short par-4 opening hole, which is separated from a railway line by a stone wall. It is told that a lady once sliced her tee shot, hit a railway engine, the ball bouncing back over the wall onto the fairway. The engine driver, leaning out of his cab, said to the woman, "If it's of any help, I'll be here at the same time tomorrow!"
Scotland: 14th best course in Scotland (Golf World, 2022).
GB&I: 32nd best course in Britain & Ireland (Golf World, 2022).
World: 69th best course in the world (GOLF magazine, 2021/22).
Central Esplanade, Prestwick, Ayrshire KA9 1QN
+44 (0)1292 477 286
Visit websiteLocated right next to the beach in a quiet area of Prestwick, with views directly onto the Firth of Clyde and the Isle of Arran - a good-value hotel much favoured by visiting golfers.
No
Prestwick (o.2 miles); Prestwick St Nicholas; Royal Troon
Kilmarnock (Barassie); Dundonald; Western Gailes; Glasgow Gailes; Irvine (Bogside); Belleisle; Turnberry (Ailsa and Kintyre courses).
5/7 Links Road, Prestwick KA9 1QG
+44 (0)1292 479 069
Visit websiteOverlooking Prestwick Golf Club.
Prestwick
Prestwick St Nicholas; Royal Troon
Kilmarnock (Barassie); Dundonald; Western Gailes; Glasgow Gailes; Irvine (Bogside); Belleisle; Turnberry (Ailsa and Kintyre courses).
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