Turnberry Ailsa Course Ayrshire | Iconic Lighthouse Links

About the Course

Turnberry

Turnberry's Ailsa Course is one of the most visually spectacular and dramatically situated golf courses on earth. Set against the rugged Ayrshire coastline with the iconic white lighthouse perched on the rocky promontory and the distinctive volcanic plug of Ailsa Craig rising from the Firth of Clyde, it offers a golfing experience that is truly unforgettable. The combination of championship golf and breathtaking natural beauty makes Turnberry one of the most photographed and celebrated courses in the world.

The course is forever associated with the legendary "Duel in the Sun" — the 1977 Open Championship battle between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, widely regarded as the greatest head-to-head contest in golf history. The two titans went stroke for stroke over the final two rounds, with Watson eventually prevailing by one shot with a final round 65 to Nicklaus's 66. The Ailsa Course has hosted four Open Championships in total, each producing memorable moments and worthy champions.

Following a comprehensive renovation by Martin Ebert completed in 2016, the Ailsa Course now features several dramatic new holes carved along the cliff edges, making it even more spectacular and challenging than before. The stretch from the 9th through the 11th, played along the rocky shoreline with the lighthouse as a constant landmark, is among the most exhilarating and photographed sequences in world golf, offering views and drama that few courses can match.

18Holes

72Par

7,489Yards

Turnberry golf course view showcasing Links design by Mackenzie Ross

Signature Holes

Notable Holes

A selection of the most memorable and challenging holes on the course

4

Woe-be-Tide

167 yardsPar 3

A beautiful and demanding par 3 played towards the sea with the Firth of Clyde stretching out beyond. The green is perched on a plateau with steep drop-offs on all sides, and the wind swirling off the water makes club selection a constant challenge. The name warns of the consequences of missing the green in any direction.

9

Bruce's Castle

449 yardsPar 4

The most photographed and iconic hole at Turnberry. The tee shot is played from a dramatic cliff-edge tee across the rocky coastline to a fairway with the white lighthouse providing a stunning backdrop. Named after Robert the Bruce's castle that once stood nearby, this hole epitomizes the drama and beauty of Turnberry golf.

10

Dinna Fouter

462 yardsPar 4

Meaning "don't mess about" in Scots dialect, this dramatic hole plays along the cliff edge with the sea crashing on the rocks below. One of the most thrilling and nerve-wracking holes in golf, where the drive must be positioned carefully to avoid the rocks on the right while the approach demands absolute precision to a green perched above the shoreline.

11

Maidens

174 yardsPar 3

A stunning clifftop par 3 with panoramic views across the Firth of Clyde to the Maidens rocks and beyond. The green is completely exposed to the full force of the coastal wind, making club selection extremely difficult. The hole completes the spectacular clifftop sequence that defines modern Turnberry.

15

Ca Canny

209 yardsPar 3

A long and demanding par 3 that requires a precise tee shot, often with a long iron or hybrid club. The green is well-protected by bunkers and the Scottish name warns golfers to play carefully and thoughtfully. The wind off the Firth of Clyde can make this hole play anywhere from a mid-iron to a fairway wood.

18

Ailsa Home

473 yardsPar 4

A magnificent finishing hole with the grand Turnberry Hotel providing the most luxurious backdrop in championship golf. The approach must carry bunkers to reach a green that has witnessed countless dramatic finishes, including Watson's famous victory in 1977. The walk up the 18th fairway with the hotel looming above is one of golf's most memorable experiences.

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