Prestwick Golf Club
Prestwick, Ayrshire
Championship CoursePhotograph: Mark Alexander
The birthplace of The Open Championship, hosting the first 12 Opens. A historic links course with blind shots, pot bunkers, and traditional Scottish golf at its finest.
Prestwick Golf Club, founded in 1851 by the Earl of Eglinton and 56 others including Old Tom Morris, is where The Open Championship was born. The first 12 Open Championships (1860-1872) were held exclusively at Prestwick, with Young Tom Morris winning four consecutive Opens here. Old Tom Morris was the first keeper of the green and professional. The course retains many blind shots and quirky features that make it one of golf's most unique and historic venues. The club alternated hosting The Open with St Andrews and Musselburgh until 1925.
Architect
Old Tom Morris
Established
1851
- The Open
The 1st, Railway, has an out-of-bounds wall down the right from tee to green. The 3rd, Cardinal, is the fourth hole of the original 12-hole course, with the Pow burn out of bounds along the hole. The 5th, Himalayas, is a blind par 3. The 17th, Alps, is the original 2nd hole from 1851. Yardages in the hole guide are the medal tees.
Recommended Months
Course Conditions
Traditional links maintained with respect for history. Fairways are typically firm with natural contours. Greens are excellent and true. The famous bunkers are deep with high faces. Wind from the Firth of Clyde affects most holes. The course plays shorter than modern championship venues. Drainage is excellent. The quirky features and blind shots are maintained as originally designed.
Scotland's main golf season runs April to October.
What type of golf course is Prestwick Golf Club?
Prestwick Golf Club is a links located in Ayrshire. The birthplace of The Open Championship, hosting the first 12 Opens. A historic links course with blind shots, pot bunkers, and traditional Scottish g...
Where is Prestwick Golf Club located?
Prestwick Golf Club is located in Prestwick, Ayrshire. It's situated in the Ayrshire region of Scotland.
What is the history of Prestwick Golf Club?
Prestwick Golf Club, founded in 1851 by the Earl of Eglinton and 56 others including Old Tom Morris, is where The Open Championship was born. The first 12 Open Championships (1860-1872) were held excl...
What are the course specifications at Prestwick Golf Club?
Prestwick Golf Club is a par 71 course measuring 6,551 yards. The course provides an excellent test of golf for players of all abilities.
How can I book a tee time at Prestwick Golf Club?
To book a tee time at Prestwick Golf Club, visit their official website at https://www.prestwickgc.co.uk or contact the course directly at +44 1292 477404. You can also reach them via email at bookings@prestwickgc.co.uk.
What is the best time to visit Prestwick Golf Club?
The best time to visit Prestwick Golf Club is during April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Traditional links maintained with respect for history. Fairways are typically firm with natural contours. Greens are excellent and true. The famous bunkers are deep with high faces. Wind from the Firth of Clyde affects most holes. The course plays shorter than modern championship venues. Drainage is excellent. The quirky features and blind shots are maintained as originally designed. Scotland's main golf season runs April to October.
What are the signature holes at Prestwick Golf Club?
The 1st, Railway, has an out-of-bounds wall down the right from tee to green. The 3rd, Cardinal, is the fourth hole of the original 12-hole course, with the Pow burn out of bounds along the hole. The ...
Par
71
Length
6,551
yards
Hole 1
"Railway"An out-of-bounds wall runs down the right from tee to green. A carry of about 160 yards reaches the fairway.
Hole 2
"Tunnel"Named for the tunnel under the railway. It plays to one of the original greens of the 12-hole course laid out in 1851, with deep bunkers around the green.
Hole 3
"Cardinal"The fourth hole of the original 12-hole course. It doglegs right. The Cardinal bunker is about 230 yards from the tee, and the Pow burn is out of bounds along the hole.
Hole 4
"Bridge"The fairway and the green slope toward the Pow burn, which is out of bounds.
Hole 5
"Himalayas"A blind par 3. Aim at the sleeper on the hill that matches the colour of the tee, and ring the bell after leaving the green.
Hole 6
"Elysian Fields"The start of the stretch the club calls the Elysian Fields, holes 6 to 9. A shot short or left can kick toward the deep bunker left of the green.
Hole 7
"Monkton Miln"Stroke index 1. The second shot is uphill, over two hidden fairway bunkers.
Hole 8
"End"The furthest point from the clubhouse. A tee shot on the right needs to carry 225 yards to clear the last bunker.
Hole 9
"Eglinton"Named after the club’s first captain, the Earl of Eglinton. The approach is semi-blind.
Hole 10
"Arran"Looks toward the Isle of Arran. The approach is uphill.
Hole 11
"Carrick"The green slopes from right to left, with bunkers on both sides.
Hole 12
"Wall"A narrow par 5. The green slopes heavily from right to left.
Hole 13
"Sea Headrig"Stroke index 2. Willie Campbell’s Grave is a hidden bunker on the left. This was the 5th hole on the original 12-hole course.
Hole 14
"Goosedubs"A dub is Scots for a pond. The ground left of the fairway used to flood.
Hole 15
"Narrows"The club calls this the most demanding tee shot on the course. The green slopes from the front left to the back right.
Hole 16
"Cardinals Back"The Cardinal bunker gathers shots short and right. Willie Campbell’s Grave splits the fairways and needs a carry of 225 yards.
Hole 17
"Alps"The original 2nd hole from 1851. A second shot that falls short finds the Sahara bunker. Ring the bell on leaving the green.
Hole 18
"Clock"Aim the tee shot at the clock on the clubhouse. The green slopes from left to right.
peak Season
weekday
April-October weekdays. Historic venue premium. Very limited availability.
£250
peak Season
weekend
April-October weekends. Extremely limited.
£295
Prestwick, Ayrshire
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