THE
WEST COAST

Some of the most memorable moments in recent Opens have taken place in Ayrshire on the West Coast of Scotland - Henrik Stenson beating Phil Mickelson at Troon and Tom Watson painfully losing out at Turnberry are seared on the memory for generations. Indeed Prestwick is, in many ways, the spiritual home of The Open. The first ever shot at an Open was hit at Prestwick in 1860 and it went on to host the championship 24 times.

All of those courses are pretty easy to get to from Glasgow airport and a base in the Troon area is perfect for a visit to Ayrshire. However, the West Coast has even more to offer. If you drive up the coast and around to the Kintyre peninsula you will find some of the most spectacular scenery in the whole of the land - and some find golf courses like Machrihanish to match. You can go even further afield with a ferry over to the island of Islay where you will find both wonderful golf and some of the best whisky.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

There are three Open courses on the West Coast and all of them warrant a visit. Turnberry (18 in the world), Royal Troon (ranked 59) and Prestwick (host to 24 Opens) should all be on your must-play list. While these are fantastic courses it is well worth making the effort to go a little further afield and discover some of the other courses that make this such an incredible part of the golfing world. Machrihanish is said to have the best opening hole in golf but it is so much more than that. Set in magnificent dunes on the west coast of the Kintrye Peninsula, it is one of the most intriguing experiences in golf. Combine that with nearby Machrihanish Dunes and Dunaverty and you are in for a real treat.

Golf has been played on Islay for generations but the revamped course at The Machrie (ranked 19 in Scotland) has really made this a must-play course in the area. The journey there on a ferry is magical, and the course more than delivers.

  • Royal Troon

    Royal Troon

    GOLF MAGAZINE WORLD RANKING - 59
    OUTPOST CLUB WORLD RANKING - 95
    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 21

    As a nine-time host of the Open Championship, Royal Troon is among the most complete tests of any major venue. Ironically, it is Troon’s wee Postage Stamp eighth hole that may be the most recognized, beloved, and feared hole in links golf. Like so many courses on the west coast the setting is magnificent too - with views over to Ailsa Craig and Arran. With the history, the views and the classic links golf, Royal Troon has all the ingredients for a great day!

  • Turnberry - Ailsa

    Turnberry - Ailsa

    GOLF MAGAZINE WORLD RANKING - 18
    OUTPOST CLUB WORLD RANKING - 22
    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 6

    The setting is beautiful with views of the ocean, cliffs, and Ailsa Craig visible from much of the course. The legendary battle between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson at the 1977 Open Championship (known as the “Duel in the Sun”) is enough in-and-of-itself to secure Turnberry’s place in golf history. The stunning recent course changes mean that the Ailsa course a candidate for best in Scotland – high praise indeed

  • Prestwick

    Prestwick

    GOLF MAGAZINE WORLD RANKING - 69
    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 19
    GOLF WORLD (UK) GB & I RANKING - 32

    Prestwick is a course soaked in history. It was founded in 1851 when Old Tom Morris laid out a 12 hole course. It was over this course that the first 10 Open Championships were played - and 24 in total. Prestwick is simply a classic Scottish links golf course and one which is a must-play for any fan of the genre. There are few courses in Scotland with more quirks like those you’ll find on Alps, Himalayas and Cardinal.

  • Machrihanish

    Machrihanish

    OUTPOST CLUB WORLD RANKING - 77
    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 28
    GOLF WORLD (UK) GB & I RANKING - 38

    Machrihanish, found at the end of the Long And Winding Road on the Mull of Kintyre on Scotland's west coast, is one of the great, unaltered links in the world. Blessed with one of the most exhilarating opening holes in golf, Machrihanish GC starts strong and keeps you engaged throughout the round as you battle a layout that has changed very little since Old Tom Morris walked these hallowed grounds.

  • Machrihanish Dunes

    Machrihanish Dunes

    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 90
    GOLF WORLD (UK) GB & I RANKING - 73
    GOLF WORLD SCOTLAND RANKING - 23

    Laying out a new course next to one of the most venerated classic links in the land was a challenge not for the faint-hearted, but David McLay Kidd rose to the task. He set the course out in the most incredible dunes and, due to environmental concerns, barely any ground was moved in the creation of this course. Some consider it to be even better than neighbouring Machrihanish.

  • DUNAVERTY

    DUNAVERTY

    GOLF WORLD (UK) SCOTLAND RANKING - 48

    Dunaverty is an eighteen hole course on the very southern tip of Kintyre which will leave you with happy memories, and probably plenty of photos on your phone! This is a great holiday-type golf course. It’s around 4,600 yards from the yellows and isn’t going to beat you up. Only one of the ten par 4s is over 400 yards, and the only par 5 comes in at 446 yards. The views are phenomenal, the welcome incredibly warm. Dunaverty has all of the ingredients for a great experience!

WHERE TO STAY

When in Ayrshire it makes sense to base yourself around the Ayr/Troon/Prestwick area. The new accommodation at Dundonald is a good choice as they have luxury lodges, a clubhouse with restaurants, whisky bar and snooker room and a championship golf course too. The Marine Hotel at Troon is another favourite, overlooking the famous links.

If you are heading to Kintyre then there are great options in the pretty town of Campbeltown or in the village of Machrihanish. The newly refurbished hotel at The Machrie is one of the very best golf hotels - wonderful accommodation and food alongside excellent golf facilities. Whatever you are looking for, there is an option available on the West Coast of Scotland.

  • dundonald

    Dundonald

    The luxury lodges at Dundonald are superbly fitted out with the golfer in mind and close to the towns of Troon and Prestwick. A great option in the area.

  • Royal hotel Campbeltown

    The Royal Hotel

    Set in the heart of Campbeltown, The Royal Hotel is well-positioned for exploring the harbour and only 15 minutes drive from Machrihanish and Mach Dunes

  • The machrie

    The Machrie

    The Machrie is golfing heaven! Located right on the golf course, the luxury hotel has thought of everything for the visiting golfer.

 SAMPLE ITINERARY

DAY 1

We will meet at Glasgow airport and transfer you to your hire car or private vehicle with driver.

It’s just a short drive from the airport to your first course, Prestwick. What a place to start! Prestwick has hosted 24 Open Championships and remains one of the most intriguing courses in the country. This is a perfect first round course - it won’t beat you up but after you’ve played it once you’ll already be planning a return trip to do it all again!

After the round head to your accommodation for the first part of your stay - the luxurious cabins at Dundonald Links. This is a perfect spot to stay in Ayrshire. You can while away the evening in the great restaurant, snooker room or whisky tasting area. If you fancy more golf the championship course is literally just outside your window.

DAY 2

The second day takes you to another Open host - Turnberry - just 40 minutes drive south of Dundonald. There are two courses here so, if you fancy it, you can have a warm-up on the King Robert the Bruce course before taking on the Ailsa. The course has always been highly regarded, but recent changes mean that this is now one of the very best in the whole of Scotland. New holes have been created around the lighthouse at the turn and they are truly spectacular. The new Turnberry has become an absolute must-play.

DAY 3

The quality just keeps coming as you head for Royal Troon - one of the most prestigious clubs in Scotland, with one of the most famous holes anywhere in the world. The Postage Stamp is up there with the 7th at Pebble Beach for the title of ‘best short par 3 in the world’. Troon has many other strong holes, but this one you will remember forever.

After the round, you will take an absolutely spectacular four-hour drive to the beautiful Kintyre peninsula. Your home for the next two nights will be The Royal Hotel in Campbeltown. You really are away from the tourist track here - but in one of the very special places in Scottish golf. We will tell you the best pubs to visit in this traditional harbour town to make sure you have a great night.

DAY 4

You will enjoy 36 holes of possibly the most fun golf you can have anywhere, starting at Dunaverty, an 18 hole course measuring only 4,600 yards. Expect a fun course where you can open your shoulders and see how many par 4s you can drive. Just try not to get distracted by the phenomenal views.

In the afternoon you will take the short drive up to Machrihanish. Tom Doak says the first is the best opening hole in all of golf and who are we to argue? However, the course is about a lot more than that one hole. The course thread through the dunes in a simply exhilarating manner.

Stay for a few pints in the clubhouse or in the pub next door overlooking the famous links, before enjoying another evening in Campbeltown

DAY 5

One last round on the Kintyre Peninsula - at the modern links of Machrihanish Dunes. It’s fair to say that building a new links course in this part of the world is a bold move but David McLay-Kidd absolutely pulled it off. The course winds through these spectacular dunes like a ribbon settling on the land. It’s a worthy addition to this wonderful golf area.

After the round you will jump on a ferry for the two hour journey across to the island of Islay - pronounced Eye-lay. A trip to Islay is a near-spiritual experience for many. You really are away from it all on this remote island. The Machrie Hotel is a newly renovated, luxury hotel overlooking the excellent Machrie golf course. Enjoy dinner in the restaurant that specialises in local produce, overlooking the 18th green. What a spot.

DAY 6

We would recommend a morning spent on the golf course and an afternoon touring the whisky distilleries Islay is so famous for. The Machrie golf course has been renovated in recent years and the results are spectacular. It’s a playable course which will delivers huge fun as well. But it’s a strategic course too with many different ways to get to a pin. A real treat.

After your round we can organise a whisky tour of the island. For such a small area, Islay is full of world-renowned whisky distilleries including the likes of Ardbeg, Kilchoman, Bruichladdich, Laphroaig, and Lagavulin to name a few. Fans will be in whisky heaven!

DAY 7

There is time for one last round at The Machrie before returning to Glasgow. You can either fly back to Glasgow airport or return via the ferry.

You may wish to add a few extra days to visit Shiskine on Arran, or a one of the other West Coast gems like Western Gailes or Irvine.

A trip to the West Coast is a golfing treat which all golfers should try to experience once. Contact us now if you would like to discuss booking a trip.

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