Defined by its scenic coastal views and the iconic Turnberry Lighthouse, the Ailsa Course is a staple of Scottish golf. The Ailsa is widely considered by many as one of the greatest courses in the world.
Here, there are no towering dunes; the exposed layout brings you closer to the Ayrshire coast. The holes 4-11, the Ailsa hugs the Firth of Clyde’s coast.
Few courses can rival such masterful conditioning. Unlike the rugged nature of most links designs, the Ailsa is pristine. Multiple rounds of improvement have upheld the club’s constant chase for perfection.
Playing host to The Open Championship four times, the course is synonymous with a storied history as the stage for some of golf’s most legendary moments.
Although the Ailsa has hosted the Open Championship only four times, the course is responsible for two of the tournament’s most iconic moments. The most famous being the 1977 Championship.
Under the scorching Scottish heat, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus separated themselves from the pack, as Nicklaus sank an improbable 40-foot birdie putt from the rough to put the pressure on Watson.
The match became known as the ‘Duel in the Sun”. To honor this historic showdown, it is also now the namesake for the Ailsa’s 18th hole.
Other legendary moments have graced this course, like Greg Norman shooting a course record in 1986, and Stewart Cink edging out Tom Watson in a 4-hole playoff.
Many links courses are hidden behind their dunes, but not the Ailsa. Perched right on the Firth of Clyde, you’ll experience a dramatic coastal stretch. Nicknamed the “Green Ribbon”, holes 9, 10, and 11 are some of the most breathtaking scenes in all of golf.
No trip to Scotland would be complete without a trip to Turnberry, as it is one of the purest links golf. When walking the Ailsa, you are traveling through history. The topography creates an arena-like atmosphere unlike any other course of its kind—A perfect course for the drama of championships past.
Though having a storied history, Turnberry has never been afraid of improvements. In 2016, Martin Elbert headed renovations throughout the course—moving greens closer to the cliffs to fully embrace the coastline.
There are few landmarks in golf as recognizable as The Turnberry Lighthouse. While a constant sight during the round, it doubles as a halfway house for an opportunity to get up close and personal, while grabbing a snack and drink.
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No, Ailsa is a traditional walking-only course, and caddies are highly recommended for first-time players.
The Alisa course has undergone many different renovations over the years. Most recently, it underwent renovations in 2025, while the course was overhauled in 2016 by designer Martin Ebert.
The most historic hole is the 18th for its legacy in the “Duel in the Sun” match. After the 2016 renovations, the 9th hole is the most photographed hole as it is one of the most iconic par-3 shots in the world.
