Prestwick Golf Club

As we were the last group of the day, the starter was gracious to let us play as a fivesome. We played on a blustery, cool day and had the golfing experience of our lives. As I was playing with some of my American friends, introduced for the first time to links golf, we were enamored with the course and particularly loved the "quirkiness" of the layout. It is one of my all time favorites. Playing the 17th hole is an experience as unique and enjoyable, as well as torturous, as you'll ever have in your golfing life. One of the few courses in Scotland I would HAVE to play again!

This is not the course for the "grip it and rip it" school of golf. It is , though, the most thouroughly enjoyable match play course I've ever set foot on. Any serious player with an appreciation for the history of the game would want to play here.

Was fortunate enough to return to Prestwick for another round 2 years after first one in Sep 2003. What a joy to see that things were just the same, only better. Yes the wind always blows, and even the caddies will tell you that some of the holes are the "lottery", but this is links golf at it's finest. Prestwick always makes it's visitors feel welcome, and for the second straight time I got an exceptional caddy in Kevin. When Colin Montgomery wanted a new caddy after sacking "Stevie", he called over to Prestwick to get one as a temporary. The members are always friendly and the club is always maintained in perfect condition both on and off the course. Meals in the Cardinal room are a joy. If you get to Ayreshire, the one course you must play is really Prestwick.

Played on Monday,18th August 2003 using the weekly SGU tee time allocated at 12 noon on a Monday, paying a 50 quid reduced fee. This is a difficult course and not one for the faint hearted, especially when the wind is blowing (as it was!). Every one of our four ball enjoyed the experience of playing on such hallowed turf. Nice to see how eccentric golf courses could be when first designed by nature many years ago. Don't worry about your score, savour the fairways as you make your way round and think back to all those original Open competitors that played here decadwes ago. Pity the SGU tee time does not allow you to have a late lunch (the Cardinal dining room closes at 4.00 pm) as it certainly takes a four ball more than 4 hours to get round the 18 holes. I've heard Carnoustie described as a big, shagy monster - its a pussycat compared to Prestwick, believe me. Play and enjoy old fashioned links golf at its finest.

The most fun you can have on a championship golf course! Played it April 29, 2003 and it truly is superb. Altho women are not considered my wife enjoyed the round and the clubhouse. We are 0, 10 and 16 handicaps and the course rewards all of us. It was the last of 10 rounds in Scotland and the best. Turnberry St Andrews and Carnoustie were also great but not as much true links fun as Prestwick, Elie a close second. Can't wait to go back! It has bumped Ballybunion as my all time favourite golfing experience.

Prestwick was a terrific challenge of links golf. Fine Pro Shop and helpful Caddiemaster. I only lost 2 balls and shot a good 88, but felt like I was shooting 120 in the 20-25 mph winds. Managed to avoid the Cardinal and Sahara, but this course has NO easy holes and would be very tough even under docile conditions. All said, I completely understand why this is the home of the Open Championship and it tests your head and heart as much as your swing. GREAT golf course that is a heritage experience.

This is how Golf should be played.What a test ! No need for high tech golf equipment here,Mother nature will sort you out. Many thanks to all the staff who were friendly and very welcoming. Will be back again next year to play more American friends.

A wonderful day.The staff were welcoming and helpful,the members we spoke to were friendly.The golf course for a high handicapper (24) like me was tough going.The day we played a strong South-Westerly was blowing making club selection seem like a game of Russian-roulette with the bunkers.Enjoyed a visit to the Cardinal bunker on the 3rd , again on the 16th ,then got my hat-trick on 17 when i went into Sahara.If you have the pleasure to play this course you will have many a golfing tale to tell.

Superb day.Great atmosphere,great course design. Having taken the advice of our hotelier we gave Old Prestwick the respect it deserved,that is hit it straight not long.Far better to hit 5iron - 5iron on the Narrows or indeed the 1st than drive it into the gorse or onto the railway line!

You may only consider playing here for the history of it - Prestwick being the venue for the first twelve Opens - but this is still a great golf course, as good as it gets. It has everything you've read about in Mackenzie or Ross's books on course architecture. Many holes require a long carry from the tee, and you always have to place it on the "right" side to attack the green. The wind here was stronger than anywhere I've played, the size of the dunes meant that some holes were protected and others impossible. The Cardinal bunkers are amazing - whether you find them on the 3rd, or the 16th as my opponent did. The 17th would wreck a card of the best players - the tightest of tight drives and then the fearsome Alps, and Sahara bunker, to contend your blind approach shot. The Himalayas on the 5th are in a similar vein. If the names don't scare you, the sight of them will. More interesting than many courses on the Open rota.

Prestwick Is A Great Remimder Of How Golf Was Played Many Years Ago. I Hope That It Never Changes.

Accuracy off the tee is essential to enjoying this course due to the many narrow fairways, thus justifying its reputation as the "shotmaker's course ." A far more interesting layout than St. Andrews Old Course which I played twice. A round of golf at Prestwick is essential for the skilled golfer. Length of holes not a problem for the average golfer. The services of a caddy are essential for the first time player yet greens fairly easy to read. I shot 77 without the caddy reading my putts.

With most of the day to kill before our flight back to Canada and having been turned down at Toon we tried Preswick. We had a truly enjoyable round just across from the Airport! We were amazed the the speed of the locals who started at least one hour after us but caught up to us on the final hole. A delightful end to two weeks of golf in Scotland.

Prestwick was truly a step back in time. Absolute proof that nature is truly the greatest golf course architect. The rolling terrain was a fantastic challenge for this scratch handicapper. I can't wait to challenge Prestwick again. Ron Waters, [email protected]