Prestwick

A century ago the legendary golf writer Bernard Darwin stated that "a man is less likely to be contradicted in lauding Prestwick than in singing the praises of any other course in Christendom". 

How times have changed nowadays, there are few courses as famous that attract more contention. Put simply, not all first-time visitors fully appreciate that this a links like no other.
 
Prestwick is in many ways a museum piece, a shrine to the days when it hosted the first Open Championship - and indeed 23 further ones between then and 1925. Not even its fondest admirers would deny that several of the holes would have no place on a contemporary championship course.

But then quite why they should is another question, and in any case who is to say that the modern version of the game is any better than that which the likes of Old Tom Morris, appointed keeper of the greens here in 1851, Willie Park and Young Tom Morris excelled at all that time ago? 


Visit Prestwick's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.
 

The history of Prestwick Golf Club is weaved into the history of golf. The club was originally formed by 57 members in 1851.

With Old Tom Morris' phenomenal 12-hole course design, Prestwick grew massively in popularity and hosted the first Open Championship on the 17th of October 1860, marking it out as one of the top UK courses and giving it an established place in golfing history.

In 1877, the clubhouse underwent an extension, and in 1882, 90 lockers were installed, which continue to be in use today, as well as increasing the course to 18 holes.

 

Then, in 1999, a significant redevelopment project was finalised, solidifying the clubhouse's commanding location, offering picturesque views of the first tee and the 18th green.
 

When you think back to the original 12-hole layout, it would be hard to believe that Prestwick could stretch to almost 7,000 yards. However, the current 18-hole routing does exactly that from the Championship tees, and still past 6,550 yards off the Whites as well. Taken at face value, it is an extraordinary course, packed with holes that to the modern eye are nothing less than outrageous.

 

Take the opening hole, which some believe would be better if it came at any other point of the round. Measuring a modest 335 yards, the railway line runs up the right-hand side a matter of yards away from the fairway throughout, and there is barely room to pull a trolley between the boundary wall and the right-hand edge of the green. Up the left is gorse, making the opening moments of the round a test of nerve as much as golf. A mid-iron followed by a semi-blind short-iron is all that is generally required but even the best players breathe a sigh of relief having found the green in regulation.

 

The 2nd green is one of the original 12 from the 1851 layout, and it comes as the first par 3 on the course. At 164 yards, it is not too long, but with bunkers guarding all four corners and OOB thanks to the Pow Burn behind, it makes it a much more tricky prospect. Then there is the 3rd, a short par 5 played over the gigantic Cardinal bunkers that then dog-legs to the right. Like on 2, the Pow Burn is play, this time down the right side throughout. The 4th is similar, but played as a 415-yard par 4. Again, keeping your drive tight to the right side, near the burn, is the ideal line.

 

At the par 3 5th, 'Himalayas', you take aim at a marker post on the towering dunes in front and fire into oblivion, trusting there is a green on the other side. Throw in the fact that is it more than 200 yards even from the Whites, and it is one hell of a par 3! You then come to the Elysian Field, which holes the four holes leading you to the turn. All four holes are demanding par 4s, each comfortably more than 400 yards in distance. The 7th is the Stroke Index 1, while the 9th has a semi-blind approach to the green, often with a wood or hybrid in hand.

The 10th is also in that ilk, pushing towards 450 yards, and if you can come through this run of holes relatively unscathed, you will be very happy indeed! 11 is another par 3 of more than 200 yards, but unlike the 5th, you can see the green this time. Six large bunkers guard the surface, but if you only just miss the green on the right side, the contours will help move your ball back to the surface. At 540 yards, the 12th is a proper three-shotter. It is arrow straight, but features ten bunkers - nine of which are littered down the left side of the hole.

 

The 13th, 'Sea Headrig', is 460 yards but a putting surface that resembles the Irish Sea on a bad day can seem impossible to hold with a pitch, let alone a long iron or wood. 'Sea Headrig' is, more realistically, a par 4.5, but a few others, like the 16th and 18th, are no more than 3.5s, so it all balances out. The 14th has one of the easier greens on the course, coming at the end of a 405-yard par 4, while the 15th is arguably the trickiest holes at Prestwick. Called 'Narrows' for a reason, it offers up the most demanding tee shot on the property. Avoid the hidden bunkers and you can make par!
 
The 16th is easier, but with Willie Campbell's Grave (a bunker, in case you were wondering) perfectly placed to catch an overly cautious drive, it is another hole that can make a fool of the unwary. The penultimate thrill comes at the 17th, 'Alps', where the hole seems to end around 300 yards from the tee. The green, believe it or not, is over the other side of a rough-clad hill, just beyond the Sahara bunker, whose name says it all. From there, its just one left - 'Clock' - and it is a good birdie chance to finish your day. The clubhouse sits just behind the green on this 290-yard par 4, so the longer hitters might want to leave the driver in the bag, especially on a firm and fast sort of day...
 

Where is Prestwick Golf Club located?
Prestwick Golf Club is situated on the west coast of Scotland, overlooking the Irish Sea. It sits just outside the town of Prestwick, with Ayr just a couple of miles to the south. The city of Glasgow is 30 miles to the northeast of Prestwick Golf Club.

For international visitors, Glasgow Prestwick Airport is just five minutes down the road from the golf club. Glasgow Airport is just 40 miles away, with both providing international flights from the area. The nearest train station to the club is also at Prestwick Airport, with services running regular between Glasgow and Ayr on the Scottish west coast line.

 

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?
The Ayrshire coastline is littered with fabulous golfing options, including some neighbours of Prestwick. To the south sits Prestwick St Nicholas, while to the north - separated only by the Pow Burn - is Royal Troon with its Old Course and Portland Course. The likes of Gailes Links, Dundonald Links, Kilmarnock Barassie and Western Gailes are also on that stretch of coastline.

What golf facilities does Prestwick offer?  
Due to the lack of space at the venue, Prestwick Golf Club has never had a driving range and still does not to this day.However, there is a putting green and short-game area to warm up before a game.
  

What are the green fees at Prestwick?
The price of a green fee at Prestwick changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. 

 

For more information on current green fees at Prestwick, visit their website here. 

 

Visit Prestwick's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.