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| Prestwick |
| Home Scottish Links Golf The Basics AFSD - how to determine the real length of a golf course Helpful Websites Platinum Page Upscale golfing products & services Aberdeen & Grampian Highlands Royal Aberdeen, Cruden Bay... Ayrshire Barassie Glasgow Gailes Irvine (Bogside) Prestwick Royal Troon Turnberry Western Gailes Scotland's Golf Coast Edinburgh area, Muirfield, North Berwick... Northern Highlands Royal Dornoch, Brora, Nairn... St.Andrews area Other golf courses Machrihanish, Pitlochry... LINKS LITE... Great links golf for the not-so-great golfer |
Prestwick Golf Club © 2006, Richard & Mary-Alice Jafolla Historic Venue Well Worth a Play
Links Golf at its Finest About a half hour auto trip southwest of Glasgow lies a stretch of coastline that is the quintessence of links golf. Along this Ayrshire (pronounced air-sher) coast lie some of the world's finest examples of links golf--none of which is more historic than the wonderful links golf course of Prestwickt. Prestwick Golf Club is the home of the very first Open golf tournament first played in 1860. There have been 24 Open Championships played there since then. For my money, they could play it here ever year and I wouldn't complain. At "only" 6,544 yards it doesn't seem long by today's standards, but with links golf distance is not everything--take another look at the picture above if you're wondering why. And keep in mind that at a par of 71, the average fariway shot distance (see AFSD) is a very respectable 186 yards--that's 4 yards per shot longer than St. Andrews and exactly the same relative length as Carnoustie. So forget about its being a "short" course, no matter how long a hitter you are, it will give you all you can handle. Unlike so many golf courses in the USA which are built in the countryside, Prestwick Golf Club, like so many other famous golf courses in Scotland, is situated in the city. You will be reminded of this on the first hole (a 346 yard par 4 named RAILROAD) when you see the entire right out-of-bounds is a railroad line with trains rattling by on a regular schedule. (In fact the story goes that once a year or so a golfer hits a ball that lands on a passing frieght train and carries 100 miles or so!) If you can manage to keep your drive straight you are in for a relatively easy par and a three to four hour treat because Prestwick is so challenging and so much fun to play.
Number 2, a short par 3 will further ease you into the day's play. All you have to do is hit the ball 167 over a deep bunker and two putt. What's so hard about that? Now that you're feeling so good about yourself--having parred the first two holes--have a go at THE CARDINAL, a 482 yard, dogleg right, par five. You have to see this monster to believe it. It's rated the number one handicap because of the strategic placement of gigantic sand areas and a creek running down the entire right side from tee to green. Plus, the second shot is filled with danger. Oh, you can go for the green in two but you'd better be long and accurate because the rough and the sand will cost you dearly if the creek doesn't gobble you up. Slicing today? Then you'll hate number 4 because it's another dogleg right with the same creek on your right all the way from tee to green again. Then it's on to holes with names like HIMALAYAS and ALPS (guess why!). Or how about a hole called NARROWS that has the narrowest of fairways and two humongous greenside bunkers. Then there's the number 2 handicap hole, ARRAN. At 454 yards it is filled with bunkers and rough. As I said, Prestwick golf course is fun! If you can tame this golf course, go to Q School and get your card, because you're ready for the big time. Golf Nook Scotland rating: BIRDIE Scorecard:
Miscellaneous Information: Prestwick Golf Club is open for play to everyone. The members, like all the Scottish golf clubs, are friendly and welcome visitors who respect the game as much as they do. It's situated right next to Royal Troon Golf Club about 30 minutes from Glasgow (and only a few minutes drive from Barassie, Glasgow Gailes, Western Gailes, and Irving Bogside). Visitors are welcome to play weekdays only, except Thursday afternoons. Men must have no more than a 24 handicap and women a 28. Green Fees: Jan. 1 thru March 31 = £95 for all day golf. April 1 thru Oct 31 = £95 per round, £135 for all day golf. (You must make a deposit of £50 to confirm your reservation.) Trolleys are £3 Caddies = £30 plus gratuity Clubs can be rented for £25 Food and Drink - There is a nice restaurant which, as temporary member, you can enjoy. You can eat in the Cardinal room if you want to stay in your golfing gear. Or you can opt for the more lavish dining room if you don't mind donning jacket and tie. Both are clean and friendly and serve good food...and drink! Pro Shop - Well stocked with lots of good stuff. Plus you can get your equipment repaired. Contacts: Reservations: (0)1292 671 020 - (from the USA dial: 011 44 1292 671 020 Caddiemaster: (0)1292 671 019 Secretary: (0) 1292 477 404 - email: secretary@prestwickgc.co.uk Frank Rennie, Professional: (0)1292 479 483 Fax: (0)1292 477 255 e-mail reservations to: bookings@prestwickgc.co.uk Prestwick Golf Club 2 Links Rd. Prestwick, Ayshire KA9 1QG For What To Do All Day, please refer to the Ayrshire page. |
