Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa Course

Played as a single with the best caddy ever, Ian, definitely ask for him! This is a resort course and as such you must know that it is an easy layout. I shot 9 over and I'm a 14 handicap. Huge fairways, it takes a pretty bad shot to find the rough. As pointed out to me by my caddy at Royal Troon, that course doesn't see much changing when hosting the Open Championship. Not so at Turnberry. They have to pinch in the rough, bring it in to make the fairways narrower, so you can expect a bit of a breather if you`re tired of getting beaten up by knee high rough and death by pot bunkers. Still, this place is steeped in history and has some brilliant scenery. Staff is very welcoming, clubhouse and range are excellent. A very enjoyable day on a fantastic links golf course that, if you play well, will flatter your golf ego with a good score

The Turnberry Ailsa Course is an eclectic mix of myth and legend, only it is nearly impossible to discern where one ends the other begins. Stunning views of the Firth of Clyde from the perched hotel are dominated by the Ailsa Craig, a massive “volcanic plug” that sits some ten miles off the mainland that sends one’s mind racing to things ancient. Castle ruins surrounding the oft-photographed lighthouse behind the 10th tee are purported to be the birthplace of Scottish hero Robert the Bruce and the land was used not once, but twice, as an airfield during the two World Wars (parts of the tarmac are still visible to this day). Golfing-knights of a more recent era defined their own exploits of lore, including Tom Watson, famed for slaying Jack Nicklaus in an epic “Duel in the Sun” during the 1977 Open Championship, Greg Norman, Nick Price and again, Tom Watson, during the 2009 Open when a heart-breaking bogey on the 72nd hole doomed his historic endeavor. The course is worthy of it’s place in history yet maintains a very present-day challenge, particularly the finishing stretch, to today’s golfing crusaders.   

Played this as the second round of a 36-hole day.

The first three holes are tough, then Nos. 4-11 provide spectacular scenery and require demanding shots.

The ninth hole (the lighthouse hole) is worth whatever rate you pay to play. Beautiful.

Buddy of mine finished birdie-birdie-par to help us win our match and, while playing those holes, it's impossible not to think of Tom Watson in the 2009 British Open. Still can't believe he didn't win that thing!!!