| _ | | _ | | | Par 72, yardage 7,300. The newest addition to Loch Lomond Golf Club is Dundonald. Designed by Kyle Phillips, one of the game's top architects, it has been recognized as one of the best new courses in the world (Robb Report 2004). Situated by the sea near the legendary town of Troon, Dundonald's soil and climate conditions make the course suitable for year-round play. Designer Phillips said: "My desire was to create a championship Ayrshire-style links course that felt and played as though it was an old rediscovered course, by integrating newly constructed features with existing site features". | | | _ | | _ | | | Par 71, yardage 6,535. This course resides on a marvellous stretch of links land between Troon and Irvine on the Ayrshire coast. This is the seaside course of the Glasgow Golf Club at Killermont and it opened in 1892, making the club unique in that it has two courses 30 miles apart. With its undulating fairways, fine greens and subtle qualities, it is an honest test of golfing skills in true links fashion. The challenge starts with a steady stream of four consecutive par-4s followed by the signature hole - a par-5 dog-leg with out-of-bounds to the right and a treacherous green that's guarded by strategically placed sand traps. | | | _ | | _ | | | Par 72, yardage 6,852. Founded in 1887, this club has had an illustrious history and has been an Open Championship qualifying course on occasion. The Barassie course, which incorporates nine of the original and the nine new holes, offers one of the most challenging links tests on the Ayrshire coast. It has already hosted the British Amateur Championships, the European Youths and the Junior Open. Barassie continues to offer the player - visitor and member alike - a continuing challenge. | | | _ | | _ | | | Par 71, yardage 6,324. This course, residing on the quaint and picturesque isle of Islay, is one of Scotland's oldest and most traditional links courses. In fact, in 1901 it hosted its very own Open Champinship where a trio by the name of Harry Vardon, John Taylor and James Braid competed for a £100 first prize. The Machrie was laid out in 1891 by Willie Campbell, who instantly fell in love with the course upon viewing the land before him. The main feature of this links are the number of blind holes and blind shots that have to be negotiated from undulating, tight fairways onto wonderful, rolling greens. The views of the bay are another aspect that has made the Machrie the favorite it is today. | | | _ | | _ | | | Par 70, yardage 6,225. It may be remote - Campbeltown, after all, is not the easiest place in the world to travel to by land - but it's not difficult to understand why so many people make that journey to play here. It's a true golfing treasure and the opening hole - a 423-yard par-4 where the drive requires a carry over the Atlantic Ocean - is among the finest in the world. "The Almighty had golf in his eye when he created this place", remarked Old Tom Morris before re-designing the course in 1880. It was subsequently altered by J.H. Taylor, the three-time Open Champion, in 1914 and little has changed to this day. | | | _ | | _ | | | Par 71, yardage 6,544. This Ayrshire course holds a special place in the golfing history books, having been the venue for the first-ever Open Championship back in 1860. It last staged an Open in 1925, but remains very popular as a unique test of golf. The first tee sits beside Prestwick Station and the railway line runs all the way down the right-hand side of the opening hole. There are plenty of other holes where a score can come off the tracks, though, the huge 'Cardinal Bunker' providing potential trouble at the third and the 'Himalayas' having to be negotiated at the 206-yard par-3 fifth hole.
Maximum handicap: 24 men, 28 women. | | | _ | | _ | | | Par 71, yardage 7,150. This private club was founded in 1878 and has hosted the Open Championships on a number of occasions. Royal Troon features holes like the original Postage Stamp (No.8) where Tiger Woods had so much trouble in 1997. One of the great links courses in Scotland, the Old Course is a challenging test of golfing ability. With the wind to contend with, and deep rough interspersed with gorse and broom, accurate shot making is essential. Players should make their scores on the outward nine, as the prevailing north-westerly wind can make the back nine extremely difficult. The No. 13 hole has proven to be the most difficult to par during the Open Championships.
Maximum handicap: 20 men, 30 women. | | | _ | | _ | | | Par 71, yardage 6,289. Although a links course, the Portland is a little more sheltered than the Royal Troon Old Course and, of course, shorter. The holes meander through terrain filled with gorse and broom and has a generous helping of par-3s, five in all. This is tempered however, with four par-5s, all of which are on the back nine. Unfairly overshadowed by its bigger brother, Portland is a genuine links course and remains in excellent condition throughout the year.
Maximum handicap: 20 men, 30 women. | | | _ | | _ | | | 12 Holes, Par 42, yardage 2,990. Nestled below Drumadoon Cliffs at Blackwaterfoot, Shiskine's challenging and picturesque 12-hole layout is truly one of the hidden gems in the world of golf. Founded in 1896, the original nine-hole course was laid out by the famous Willie Fernie of Troon. The course is crossed by two burns and has many distinguishing characteristics including the longest par-5 on the island at 509 yards. There are several blind holes at which various signals indicate when the green is clear and it is safe to play. The holes have picturesque names such as 'The Crow's Nest', 'Paradise' and 'Hades' which give an indication of their distinctive features. | | | _ | | _ | | | Par 70, yardage 6,976. Long regarded as one of the finest courses in the world, the Ailsa came to international prominence with the famous duel between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson over the four days of the 1977 Open. Polls now regularly acknowledge the Ailsa as one of Britain's top three courses, confirmation that gives it eminence worlwide, with regular rankings within the world's top 20 courses. Perhaps the ninth hole is Turnberry's trademark, the remote tee set on a rocky promontory on the edge of the sea, the drive across the corner of the bay and a glimpse of the site of Bruce's Castle. The narrow path to the tee and the tee shot itself are not recommended to those of a nervous disposition. | | | _ | | _ | | | Par 72, yardage 6,861. Building on the challenges laid down by the famous old Arran course, the Kintyre is links golf at its exhilirating best. Undulating greens, glorious fairways, magnificent ocean holes, and all with stunning views of Kintyre, Arran and the famous Turnberry Lighthouse. The view that greets you from the brow of Bain's Hill is just one moment among many you'll want to savor again and again. As the short ascent is made from the 7th green, it is as if a theatrical curtain is opened to reveal a stunning set. The extra elevation multiplies the panorama that stretches in every direction, but the shots, too, are breathtaking. | | | _ | | _ | | | Par 71, yardage 6,639. This course, near Irvine on the Ayrshire coast, is regarded as a true Scottish links. Featuring undulating terrain, rolling fairways and some of the thickest links rough in Scotland, it provides an almighty test that should be enjoyed time and again. The narrow fairways demand consummate positioning from the tee, and with so many greens tucked away in little hollows or dells, your patience and concentration is pushed to the limit. The middle section of the course can become increasingly difficult when the wind comes off the sea. Simply keeping your mind on the task at hand amid sweeping winds is a challenge in itself. | | | | | | |