Tick icon Value Tick icon Service Tick icon Trust Tick icon Choice
Tick icon Value Guaranteed best price, flexible booking and free amendments.
Tick icon Service Hassle-free golf trip planning and expert travel advice.
Tick icon Trust Trusted by the PGA TOUR and rated excellent by our customers on Trustpilot.
Tick icon Choice An extensive choice of venues across the USA and worldwide.
Tick icon Value Tick icon Service
Tick icon Trust Tick icon Choice

Where Open Championship courses & spectacular coastal scenery meet

The stretch of Ayrshire coastline from Irvine down to Turnberry is a hotbed of links masterpieces, with Prestwick hosting the first Open Championship in 1860, Royal Troon in 1923 and Turnberry in 1977. With these now all permanent fixtures on the Open rota, golf in South West Scotland is a must for any links-lover.

Steeped in history with links to William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Robert Burns, this region of Scotland's south-west coast is strung together by a collection of seaside towns and 40 castles, which were acquired by clans that supported Scottish kings in battle.

Views across the Firth of Clyde are dominated by the impressive Isle of Arran, creating a picture-postcard backdrop when taking on the mighty links along this stunning Ayrshire coastline.

Why golf in South West Scotland?

  • Host of the first Open Championship in 1860
  • Three world-famous links - Turnberry, Royal Troon & Prestwick
  • 40 historic castles to visit
  • Spectacular coastal scenery with Isle of Arran backdrop
  • Fun seaside towns & stunning beaches
  • Prominent Ayrshire clans of Wallace & Bruce
Open tomorrow 8am - 6pm EDT

Host of The Open Championship more than 35 times

One of Scotland’s most historic and beloved golfing regions, a golf vacation to Scotland’s south west coast will take you to the very heart of Scotland’s golfing heritage.

Walk in the footsteps of Old Tom Morris at legendary Prestwick, where the first Open Championship was held, enjoy your own Duel in the Sun at Trump Turnberry’s magnificent Ailsa Links and try your luck at the world-famous ‘Postage Stamp’ par 3 at Royal Troon.

Within easy reach of Glasgow, there’s no shortage of superb links to savor, including the outstanding hidden gems of Dundonald Links, Western Gailes and Gailes Links. And for the truly adventurous, just across the Firth of Clyde, on the Kintyre Peninsula, lies the famous links of Machrihanish and David McLay Kidd’s Machrihanish Dunes.

Why golf in South West Scotland?

Ayrshire is a historic county in South West Scotland, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Less than an hour from Glasgow, access for international travellers is easy.

Seaside towns of Prestwick, Ayr and Troon are the hotspots for visiting golfers, all offering a decent selection of hotels along with pubs and restaurants to enjoy. Whether its trekking around the highlands, or making your way further south to the stunning Trump Turnberry Resort, which provides a luxurious play & stay option, there is something for every golfer.

Golf courses litter this magnificent coastline, stay at Dundonald Links Lodges and choose from the trio of Dundonald Links, Gailes Links and Western Gailes near Irvine in the north down to the Ailsa at Turnberry.

Our experts say...

The first Open Championship was played at Prestwick in 1860, so a trip to these parts is to follow in the footsteps of most, if not all, of the game's greatest players.

Patrick Tarantino avatar
Patrick Tarantino

Sales Team Leader

Golf travel tips for South West Scotland

Best months for golfing weather:

May to September

Best months for value:

April & October

Most popular months:

May, June & September

Our experts recommend:

June

Explore by map

Not sure where to play? Browse our map and find your ideal destination in a continent of possibilities. We know you will be spoiled for choice! Remember our knowledgeable golf experts are ready to answer any questions.

Seaside towns & one magnificent golf resort

The beach resort and harbour town of Troon has become a favorite base for golfers visiting the south west of Scotland. An easy 40 minute drive from Glasgow airport, Troon also boasts one of the first passenger train stations in Scotland. With it's long sandy beach, many restaurants, bars and cafes, Troon is the perfect town from which to access the surrounding championship links golf courses.

Our accommodation choices include Piersland House, a beautiful country mansion and former residence of the Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky family, the Marine Hotel and the family-run South Beach Hotel.

The other option is, of course, to stay at the luxurious Trump Turnberry Resort, home to the magnificent Ailsa Open Championship Course and the recently renovated King Robert the Bruce Course (formerly the Kintyre). This iconic landmark hotel sits proudly overlooking Ayrshire's breathtaking coastline and Isle of Arran.

Tick icon
Value
Guaranteed best price, flexible booking and free amendments.
Tick icon
Service
Hassle-free golf trip planning and expert travel advice.
Tick icon
Trust
Trusted by the PGA TOUR and rated excellent by our customers on Trustpilot.
Tick icon
Choice
An extensive choice of venues across the USA and worldwide.