Course: Turnberry Ailsa, Turnberry

Built on a land that was owned by a railway company a century ago, the Turnberry Golf Club, established in 1902, has been at the brink of extinction twice. The course fondly known as Scotlands Pebble Beach served as an airfield during both World Wars and on both occasions several of its holes were concretized to make way for an airfield! Thanks to the tenacity of its owners at that time and to the expert touch of Phillip Ross Mackenzie, Turnberry was returned to its former glory in 1951.

Set along the Irish Sea, Turnberry was one of the hot spots of golf in the early 1900s, marred only by the two wars. The popular, original championship course was designed by Willie Fernie of Troon at the behest of the Marquess of Ailsa and by the time the Turnberry Hotel opened in 1906, the course was at its zenith. With stunning views across the Isles of Mull and Arran, Turnberry was and is considered one of the most demanding links courses in the world.

Most holes on the course are framed by sand dunes except, surprisingly, for holes 4th to the 11th, that are fastened to the sea. This fact is appreciated by golfers when faced with the gushing sea wind on one of these holes making the challenge tougher. But this out and back layout makes for a hard test right from the opening three holes, which are all par 3 and make you sweat as soon as begin your round,.

The rugged coastline forms the periphery of the course and the dramatic sea view includes the Turnberry Lighthouse. By the time you reach the signature 9th and are set to tee off from its remote location on a rocky outcropping, the view becomes even more distracting. Capricious weather adds to your woes at Turnberry which is a tricky, unforgiving course demanding a skilled player.