Golf in Ayrshire

South Ayrshire is often referred to as Scotland’s golf coast. This stunning coastline boasts the birthplace of The Open Championship, two out of five current Scottish Open venues and a range of public courses each boasting their own unique character. The Ranch is close to a wide range of courses some listed below.
Websites: South Ayrshire courses can be viewed at www.golfsouthayrshire.com and information whilst information on Ayrshire World Class Links courses is available from www.scotlandswestcoastgolflinks.com

Turnberry

With the sea by your side and that famous lighthouse in the distance, there are few courses in the world that can match Turnberry for beauty or excitement. A truly Scottish icon, Turnberry Resort, Scotland enjoys a spectacular coastal setting with breathtaking views of the Isle of Arran, Ailsa Craig and the Irish Sea. Surrounded by Scotland’s most beautiful scenery, every visit is unforgettable.

Visit www.scotlandswestcoastgolflinks.com for more details.

Prestwick

Prestwick Golf Club extends a warm welcome to all Golfers from all around the World wishing to enjoy their testing traditional Links.
The Club is situated just half an hour north of The Ranch on the famous golfing Ayrshire coast. Prestwick Golf Club is a relaxed and friendly club that enjoys hosting golfers from all around the World. Visitors are encouraged to use their temporary membership to its full capacity, and enjoy the full lunch in the lavish Dining room or just a snack in the relaxed Cardinal room.

For more information is on the website at www.prestwickgc.co.uk

Barassie

Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club is to be found on the outskirts of Troon on Scotland's west coast and has been offering the golfer a magnificent links golf challenge for over one hundred years. The course itself is an Open Championship Final Qualifying venue with a well deserved reputation for some of the best maintained greens in Scotland. The club has undergone considerable changes over the past few years and not only has twenty seven holes with which to test the golfer but also has much improved facilities in the clubhouse and professional's shop.

Kilmarnock (Barassie) will, once again, host Open Championship Final Qualifying in July 2009, when the Open Championship will be played at Turnberry. View the website at www.kbgc.co.uk

Brunston Castle

Only ten minutes from The Ranch, Brunston Castle Golf Course is situated in the most scenic part of Ayrshire. Located in the naturally sheltered valley of the Water of Girvan and overlooked by the rolling South Carrick hills, this championship length, par 72 parkland course is in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Bisected by the River Girvan, dotted with mature trees and surrounded by the picturesque landscape of the Bargany Estate, each of the holes has features that will remain memorable long after the round has finished.

For more information visit www.brunstoncastle.co.uk

Darley

The first Troon Municipal Darley Golf Course dates from about 1910, though the current one, with its original bogey par of 71 opened June 9, 1951. Troon Municipal Darley Golf Course plays shorter than neighbouring Lochgreen, meaning a tight round of golf with heather and gorse clogging the edges of several fairways, and an easy enough start makes the tests between the fifth and 15th holes all the more frustrating.

Lochgreen

The Lochgreen Course at Troon Municipal is widely regarded as the best of the municipal golf courses in Troon, though all offer a great round of golf at prices hard to beat in Scotland. Lochgreen is a par-74 that parallels in parts Royal Troon Golf Club and has served as a qualifier for the Open. Jack Nicklaus, for one example, once shot an 82 on the golf course and needed to follow it up with a 68 to make the cut by one.

Maybole

Maybole is a delightful nine hole town course offering splendid views over the Carrick Hills. This rather hilly course boasts undulating fairways and small, well protected greens which call for shot making of a high standard. Enjoyed by golfers of varying ability, Maybole is a splendid course to play providing the ideal wake-up call before tackling the more testing tracks.

Girvan

Girvan Golf Course shares the same stunning views towards Ailsa Craig as its neighbour, Turnberry. The course was designed by James Braid after whom the first hole was named and has had few alterations since its inception in 1902, providing a golfing test of considerable charm and aesthetic pleasure.
Girvan Golf Course truly provides a journey of interest with the exposed first eight holes being pure Scottish links, immediately adjacent to the beach, and the second ten holes parkland providing a variable challenge.
This latter part has the added interest of the river, from which the town takes its name, winding through the fairways to its final destination in the Firth of Clyde.

Doon Valley Golf Club, Patna

Doon Valley epitomises the friendly atmosphere found at smaller local courses in Scotland. With only just over 100 golfers the club may be small, but don't mistake that as a lack of quality. The course is of undulating parkland variety and rolls across the hillside of the Doon Valley. The course has lush fairways and well maintained greens which is always a challenge to visitors and members. With spectacular views over the surrounding countryside this is a lovely wee surprise.