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Make Golf Ireland Limited your source
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The first three holes pose a fairly tough opening, particularly when the wind blows from the direction of Ailsa Craig, the dramatic rock 11 miles out to sea. From the admirable short fourth to the short 11th the Ailsa Course follows the shoreline, the fifth to the eight framed by dunes and the ninth, tenth and eleventh flanked by craggy rocks. It is a thrilling passage full of stout hitting. Perhaps the ninth 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 (Robert the Bruce, Scottish King, 1306-1329). The narrow path to the tee and the tee shot itself are not recommended to those of a nervous disposition. |
The Kintyre is links golf at its exhilarating 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 savour 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. These range from a delicate pitch in a rocky dell on the 8th to a thrilling second along the shoreline on the 9th. Widely regarded as the Kintyre's signature hole, the 8th, involves a drive from an elevated tee towards the sea and an unforgettable blind second shot to the green set in a gully by the rocks. Unseen from the tee, hidden by a narrow ridge, the green is in a cove that seems to merge with the craggy beach beyond. As for the 9th, an invigorating drive offers the choice between adventure and caution, a par 5 set against the background of the renowned symbols of Turnberry, Ailsa Craig and the Lighthouse. |
Prestwick Golf Club extends a warm welcome to all Golfers from all around the World wishing to come and enjoy our testing traditional Links. Prestwick Golf Club is situated just half an hour south west of Glasgow on the famous golfing Ayrshire coast. A stretch of land unequalled anywhere in the world for prime golfing terrain. Prestwick shares it boundaries with Royal Troon and is just 20 minutes from Turnberry, with Open final qualifying courses such as Kilmarnock Barassie, Glasgow Gailes, Western Gailes and Irvine Bogside all within just 5 minutes drive. |
Old Course 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. Portland Course Although a links course, the Portland is a little more sheltered than the Old Course and, of course, shorter. The holes meander through terrain filled with gorse and broom and has a generous helping of Par 3’s, five in all. This is tempered however, with four Par 5’s, all of which are on the back nine. Craigend Course The Craigend Course consists of nine par 3 holes and the small greens present a series of tricky targets. The course is utilised mainly by Junior Players and a few elderly Members. It provides a perfect setting for relaxed family golf. |
The West Links offers a unique golfing experience, and poses a true challenge for even the most proficient golfer. It is a true links course – steeped in history – and complete with traditional revetted bunkers, blind holes, drives over walls and burns together with magnificent views towards the sea. |
The eighteen holes of Gullane No.1 Course were established in 1884. The well maintained greens, links grasses, numerous bunkers and sea breezes make a unique challenge for the serious golfer. The 3rd hole was recently voted one of the top 500 holes in the world by Golf Magazine (USA). The world famous view from the highest point of the Course on the 7th tee across the course and over to Edinburgh, Fife and way beyond is worth the green fee alone. With every hole having its own distinct character, the Course is both memorable and enjoyable. |
Gullane No.2 Course was built in 1898 and the first and last holes of the course are on the east side of the A198 road. The Course runs alongside No.1 for the first seven holes and then sweeps down to the nature reserve next to Aberlady Bay, before turning back towards the Visitors' Clubhouse. One feature of the Course is its excellent short holes, particularly the 11th with its magnificent view and tricky club selection. |
Gullane No.3 Course was completed in 1910, with the first three and last three holes on the east side of the A198 road. The remaining holes are on the South side of Gullane Hill with excellent views across Aberlady Bay to Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth. Do not be misled by the official yardage. This course will test even the most experienced golfer's ability at accurate shot making and truly is a gem. |
The course is never other than an excellent test of true links golf. Any change in the strength or direction of the wind, that usually varies between south-westerly and north-westerly off the adjacent Firth of Clyde, provides new challenges that are compounded by the undulating terrain and finely contoured greens cleverly located and set in the folds of the surrounding sand dunes. There are seven holes to the north and eleven to the south. Together with the line of dunes running down the coastal stretch from the 5th to the 13th holes, the out of bounds wall from the 14th onwards, the plentiful supply of pot bunkers plus the meandering burns, all combine to present variety and a memorable challenge. |
The Championship Course The course layout rewards good play and punishes poor play severely. What makes it so great is its vastness, length and the scale of severity of its hazards. The Championship course is a mighty links. In 2007 Carnoustie became the longest ever course in British Open Championship history at 7,421 yards The Burnside Links Many of the short holes would grace any links course with the 5th and 14th in particular providing challenges for the player who strives to gain his par 3. The finish is also strong with the 17th proving to be one of the hardest par 4’s that can be found in golf and many a score has been ruined by the out of bounds fence at the 18th. The Buddon Links Although shorter than the Burnside it still packs a pretty hefty punch around the turn with many holes testing the players control. The Buddon Links is a fine complement to the Championship course and it is worth a player considering 18 holes over the Buddon Links as an introduction to links golf prior to tackling the Championship course. |
The Balgownie course runs essentially out and back along the North Sea shore. The outward nine (which is arguably acknowledged as one of the finest in links golf anywhere in the world) cuts its way through some wonderful dune formation and the inland nine on the plateau. A traditional old Scottish links, it is well bunkered with undulating fairways. It is an excellent balance of holes, strong par 4's, tricky par 3's and two classic par 5's, with the 8th (our signature hole) protected by 10 bunkers. The ever changing wind, tight greens and a magnificent finish makes Balgownie a test for the very best. |
Cruden Bay Golf Course creates unique challenges demanding the skills of power, placement and fine judgement upon the discerning golfer. Set against a backdrop of subtly contoured greens and magnificent panoramic views, a visit to Cruden Bay will be a most memorable one. Cruden Bay offers an internationally famous golfing experience - old fashioned links golf at its best - on one of the best links courses in Scotland. |
What delights the visitor and member alike is the Scottish-ness of the links. Other than in a strong westerly, it leads you in gently before demanding accurate driving and precision second shots. Gorse is a hazard. The par 4 holes tease and confound and all four short holes are cunningly angled, with the 4th a little gem and the 14th simply spectacular. As three of the par 5 holes are over 530 yards long, it is a test for all. Yet, even more challenging than the humps and hollows that lurk in the faaairways, is the trickery of the greens. |
The Kingsbarns Golf Links site has long been known for its intimate connection with the sea. The fact that its golf origins date back to 1793 is testimony to the attributes of the site which foster ideal conditions for links turf to flourish amid interesting natural terrain. This unique part of East Fife has sandy soils, undulating ridges and hollows, Cambo burn running into the sea, all set immediately against the rugged coastline of the North Sea. Kingsbarns Golf Links is a tribute to its rich Scottish links heritage. |
Many of the greens are built on natural raised plateaux making approach play especially challenging. It’s the raised domed greens that became the trademark of Dornoch’s most famous son, Donald Ross. There are plenty of great holes to choose from at Royal Dornoch. The 4th is in the middle of a stretch of three excellent par fours. The line from the tee is the statue of the Duke of Sutherland. “Whinny Brae” is the par three 6th that signals the change from the low-lying holes to the more elevated ones. It requires an accurate tee shot across a swathe of gorse that wraps its way around the plateau green. The 14th, called “Foxy”, is a long par four, measuring almost 460 yards, and it is one of the most simple and natural holes in golf featuring a classical Donald Ross domed green. |
The oldest golf course in the world has many remarkable features which help make it so special to golfers around the world. The course is known for its particular physical features including 112 bunkers, some of which are especially famous e.g. 'Hell' on the long 14th, 'Strath' on the short 11th and the Road Bunker at what is probably the most famous golf hole in the world, the 17th or Road Hole (so called because a road - which is in play - runs hard against the back edge of the green). Another peculiar feature of the Old Course is the double greens where the outward and inward holes are cut on the same putting surface. These greens are large, not surprisingly, and golfers can be faced with putts of almost 100 yards. |
Located as it is in the shadow of its illustrious neighbour, the New Course can be considered one of St Andrews' best kept secrets.Opened in April 1895, the course was built in response to increasing demand for golf at St Andrews. The New Course is a classic links course which is a first class golfing challenge. The course has the traditional out and back layout, with the 18th green just to the right of the first tee. It also has, in the great St Andrews tradition, shared fairways and even a double green at the 3rd and 15th holes. |
Now well into its second century of life, the Jubilee Course has developed from a basic 12-hole layout into what many consider to be the toughest test of golf at St Andrews. In 1988 the re-design of the Jubilee to championship standard was carried out by Donald Steel. The teeing grounds were raised, not only providing wonderful views of the Links, but also exposing the golfers to the winds which sweep in from the bay. Mr. Steel's redesigned course now plays at 6,742 yards and is a real test for all golfers. |
Following the coastline east of St Andrews, The Castle Course is two miles from the town centre. Work on the ground began early in 2005. The designer, David McLay Kidd, creator of Bandon Dunes on the West Coast of America, has created a typical Scottish golf experience. Each hole has a choice of five tees and the course will be playable between about 5300-7200 yards. There is a clubhouse warm-up area and practice putting green at The Castle Course. |