Trump Turnberry Ailsa Course

Golf Monthly Verdict

With many changes since it last hosted the Open Championship back in 2009, the Ailsa Course is now better than it has ever been. It serves up a knockout combination of immense strategy and fabulous setting that’s a complete joy all the way, especially the holes closest to the sea. The King Robert the Bruce Course is also hugely enjoyable, especially the newer Ebert holes.

Reasons To Play The Ailsa Course

– An former Open Championship venue with a quite brilliant combination of strategy and setting

– Play the changes before the next generation of champions get to test them out

– The 3-5-3 sequence around the turn is one of the most exciting and enjoyable in golf

Rankings

UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2021/22 - 04

The beautiful but testing Trump Turnberry Ailsa Course is the most recent course to have become an Open Championship venue, its first as recently as 1977. It’s currently not on the rota, but that is presumably a political decision based on its ownership as there is no doubting that the course itself is a more than worthy venue.

That first hosting getting on for half a century turned into one of the all-time classics, the Duel in the Sun. In the end, Tom Watson just edged it by a single stroke from the great Jack Nicklaus. Since then, The Open has been here on three further occasions, and so it was a bold move to subsequently make substantial changes in a quest to improve it further. Martin Ebert had made some changes prior to the 2009 Open, and he was called back in but with a far wider remit and greater resources. It has now moved on very dramatically since the original post-war restoration by Philip Mackenzie Ross and is of course one of the very best golf courses in Scotland.

The most significant and exciting changes this time round were those made by Ebert around the turn. This stretch kicks off with a spectacular new par 3, the 9th, which is now a full-length one-shotter along the cliff-edge that must carry over crags and ravines to a the green by the lighthouse. Following a halt-time refresher in one of golf’s most amazing halfway houses, the back nine begins with a glorious, snaking par 5. Again there is a daunting carry over the rocks, and if the wind is howling in from the left, you may well have to aim your drive out to sea! The hole then works its way gently right to left along the shore, taking in an enormous bunker some way short. This stretch finishes with a another glorious new hole, again a par 3. Once more you must flirt with danger all the way on the left. This 3-5-3 sequence is a brilliant hat-trick of holes by the sea, taking full advantage of its thrilling location.

Ebert’s great work continues all the way to the 18th tee which has been moved up on to the dunes to create a far more impressive climax. You now play straight back towards the iconic hotel. As you would expect from such a premium set-up, it is presented in immaculate order. It is clearly one of the most famous golf courses in Scotland, and while there is also no denying that it is pricey, it is in every respect one of the very best courses in the UK&I.

Turnberry - Ailsa Course - Hole 10 — The fabulous tenth hole on the Ailsa Course hugs the rocky shore

What The Top 100 Panel Said

Richard Healy

A stunning course and setting; dramatic, iconic, imposing, natural, beautiful framing - just fantastic. A dramatic layout, with so many famous views, wild and rugged, finished with immaculate attention to detail.

Nicholas Hercules

Stunning views throughout, which makes it unique among the Open venues. I was continually in awe of the views, and even on the few holes after the turn where one can’t see the sea, the hotel on the hill stands impressive. This is a magnificent venue, one that has benefitted tremendously from investment.

Jamie Hudson

There are few courses that get you giddy and excited to visit, but this is certainly one of them. From your first glimpse of the lighthouse or the grand hotel that dominates the skyline, you know you are somewhere special. The overall experience and venue is peerless - it really does have it all! The course dazzles with its beauty and stings with its difficulty.

Trump Turnberry Location

Trump Turnberry Ailsa Course Green Fees

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18 holes	£250	Mon to Thu, Apr
18 holes	£275	Fri to Sun
18 holes	£300	Mon to Thu, May
18 holes	£350	Fri to Sun
18 holes	£450	Mon to Thu, Jun to Sep
18 holes	£475	Fri to Sun
18 holes	£300	Mon to Thu, Oct
18 holes	£350	Fri to Sun
18 holes	£175	Mon to Thu, Nov to Dec
18 holes	£200	Fri to Sun

Trump Turnberry Ailsa Course Scorecard

Trump Turnberry Resort Ailsa course scorecard

Best Courses Near To Trump Turnberry

Best Places To Stay Near Trump Turnberry

Trump Turnberry Hotel - Book now via Booking.com (opens in new tab)

Where better than this luxurious hotel with the Ailsa on your doorstep as well as the excellent King Robert The Bruce Course?

Western House Hotel, Ayr - Book now via Booking.com (opens in new tab)

This excellent hotel is set in mature landscaped gardens and offers 10 executive bedrooms and suites in the main house, and 39 well appointed modern courtyard rooms.

Trump Turnberry Ailsa Course Gallery

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Trump Turnberry Ailsa Course par-3 6th hole pictured — The par-3 6th hole (Image credit: Getty Images)

Historical Top 100 Rankings UK&I

2021/22 04
2019/20 01
2017/18 01
2015/16 04
2013/14 04
2011/12 03
2009/10 02

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Turnberry ever stage The Open Championship again?

One can only hope so. It's clearly a political decision, but this is a superb test of golf that has hosted very successful Opens in the past. It is even better following the changes since the last one, and it would also look brilliant on TV!

Is Turnberry really a Must Play?

There are only two reasons that most people choose not to play here. One is cost - it is the most pricey green fee in the Top 100 - the other is the elephant in the clubhouse, its owner. Everyone needs to make up their own mind on both issues, but the course itself is still magnificent.

How many courses are there at Turnberry?

As well as the Ailsa, the revamped King Robert the Bruce Course is great fun and even more scenic in places. The run from the 8th to the 11th is particularly lovely and there is a strong argument that they could be included in a composite course to make a sensational Open venue.

Rob Smith has been playing golf for more than 40 years and been a contributing editor for Golf Monthly for over ten years, specialising in course reviews and travel. He has now played more than 1,170 different courses in almost 50 countries. Despite lockdowns and travel restrictions in 2021, he still managed to play 80 different courses during the year, 43 of them for the first time. This included 21 in 13 days on a trip to East Lothian in October. One of Rob's primary roles is helping to prepare the Top 100 and Next 100 Courses of the UK&I, of which he has played all but nine. During the 2021-22 review period, Rob has played 34 of the Golf Monthly Top 200. He is a member of Tandridge Golf Club in Surrey where his handicap hovers around 16. You can contact him at r.smith896@btinternet.com.

Header Cell - Column 0	Header Cell - Column 1
Address	Maidens Road, Ayrshire, KA26 9LT
Phone	01655 331000
Website	turnberry.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Email	teetimes@trumpturnberry.com
GFs	£450-£475 (£395 residents) peak season, from £120 in Winter
Visitor Times	All week by arrangement
Par	Men 71, Women 74
Slope	White/M 130, Red/W 127
Opened	1902
Architect	Willie Fernie, CK Hutchison, Philip Mackenzie Ross, Mackenzie & Ebert

TRUMP TURNBERRY AILSA COURSE - REVIEW

Trump Turnberry Ailsa Course Key Information