No 2 - Turnberry Ailsa
Top 100 golf course: Turnberry Ailsa
2 TURNBERRY – Ailsa
Architect: Mackenzie Ross
2006 position: 1
Stats: 6,520 yds; par 69; SSS 73
GF: £160-£400
T: 01655 334032
W: turnberry.co.uk
For many, the true beauty of Mackenzie Ross’ famous linksland has long been embodied in the iconic setting that is the Ailsa’s 9th hole. With the championship tee requiring a drive over the rocky shoreline, and featuring views across to the Mull of Kintyre and Isle of Arran, it is without doubt a fitting trademark for a venue that has hosted three Open Championships, with a fourth looming in 2009.
But while such praise for Turnberry’s flagship par 4 can never be overstated, it would be a crime to ignore the overall craft of the Ailsa course. Ross’ design poses the most dramatic of tests when there is any hint of a breeze. However, it is a credit to the course layout that when the wind drops, the open fairways present a far more subtle challenge.
The stretch of holes closest to the shore from the 4th to the 11th can be punishing at times, but on calmer days there is certainly scope for golfers of all abilities to get round unscathed. Even if things do go wrong there are always those wonderful views to put things in perspective. This coastal run comes after a tamer, yet still challenging start, with the first three holes all requiring accuracy off the tee and attacking approach play.
Of the four par 3s, the 4th was the pick for me. Its elevated green is enveloped by dunes on the right, with little protection from the wind coming off the sea. On the back nine, the 13th suffers in comparison with the holes around it, and the 18th is not the most exciting or demanding of finishing holes. Sadly, it won’t now be possible to savour the experience of playing this wonderful track until after the 2009 Open as the course will be closed for play between now and then. AN
+ Holes 4 to 11 are out of this world; inspiring views at every turn
- Can get busy; lacks club atmosphere; can’t play from “signature” tees
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>>> Top 100 Golf Courses: No. 3 <<<
- Back to the Top 100 Golf Courses list
- An introduction to Golf Monthly's Top 100 Golf Courses by editor, Mike Harris
- Who makes up The Top 100 Golf Courses panel?
- How do Golf Monthly assess the Top 100 Golf courses?
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Reader comments
Add your commentsJanuary 06 21:36
cameron
i think that in the picture the course looks fairly messy but yur description makes me want to play there
December 01 14:50
Alan Armstrong
I was lucky enough to be invited to play Turnberry by a supplier a couple of years ago. It was October but we had a good dry day with just enough wind to make shot selection interesting. A straightforward start where the only distictive feature is the bunkering, all of which seem to behave like black-holes ensuring anything landing inside a 10 yard radius is sucked into the sand. Then you climb to the fourth green and see the spectacular coastline to the lighthouse and beyond. The enjoyment of this run of holes is hard to convey in words but by the time you reach the 11th green you know you are playing one of the best courses in the world. The last few holes while lacking the sea views are certainly no pushover, the highlight being the 16th where a ball only a few feet from the front pin slowly rolled back into the deep burn much to my disappointment ! My only birdie followed on the par five 17th and dusk was just drawing in as we made our way off the 18th green. A fantastic day and a brilliant course.
December 07 17:03
Iain Ross
Deserves to be No1. Very playable and scenery to die for. Always an enjoyable experience especially if eating/staying at Turnberry Hotel. A genuine shot makers course hence Tom Watson going oh so close again this year despite his age. You don't need brute strength..... but intelligence and golf management skills to succeed around here.All round best package of the Open venues. Carnoustie comes close and is a stiffer challenge but doesn't have the spectacular views or facilities.
March 02 20:34
FRANCIS REGAN
ON A SUMMERS EVENING PLAYING AILSA COURSE IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS ON A GOLF COURSE. iF YOU ONLY EVER PLAY ONE CHAMPIONSHIP LINKS COURSE IN SCOTLAND, MAKE IT TURNBERRY.
March 19 13:34
Steve Ansell
I played this course about 20 years ago and have played many of the top 100 courses since - nothing has ever come close to this most majestic 18 holes of golf.
September 09 14:10
James
Amazing course! i wish i could play it every week. I have been lucky enough to play it twice once in gale force winds and once in baking hot sun which gave me two different and tricky tests of links Golf! I wish it was on the Open rota more often. I Birdied the 12th (monument) hole which was the highlight of my day. The clubhouse and hotel is also very impressive.