Prestwick, Ayrshire, Scotland
Prestwick Golf Club
The birthplace of The Open Championship, Prestwick is one of the most historically significant courses in golf — a quirky, ancient links of extraordinary character that has shaped the game itself.
About the Course
Prestwick Golf Club
Prestwick Golf Club was founded in 1851 and is the birthplace of The Open Championship, which was first played here in 1860. The course is one of the oldest in Scotland and retains a character that is entirely its own — blind shots, railway sleepers, the Cardinal bunker, and a layout that has evolved organically over more than 170 years into something that could not exist anywhere else.
Prestwick is not a course of conventional difficulty or modern design logic. It is a course of history, character, and genuine eccentricity. The Cardinal bunker at the 3rd is one of the most famous hazards in golf — a vast, deep pit crossed by a railway sleeper bridge. The blind tee shots, the natural dune formations, and the quirky angles are the product of a course that was laid out before the conventions of golf architecture had been established.
The Open Championship was played at Prestwick twelve times between 1860 and 1925, and the club retains the original Claret Jug — the oldest trophy in golf. Playing Prestwick is an encounter with the very origins of the game, and for any serious student of golf history, it is an essential pilgrimage.
By the Numbers
Course Statistics
Based on course length, terrain & layout
Handicap index suggested for full enjoyment
The Course
Why It Stands Out
The Birthplace of The Open Championship
The Open Championship was first played at Prestwick in 1860, making it the founding venue of the oldest major in golf. The club retains the original Claret Jug, and playing here is an encounter with the very origins of championship golf.
The Cardinal Bunker
The Cardinal bunker at the 3rd hole is one of the most famous hazards in golf — a vast, deep pit crossed by a railway sleeper bridge. It is a feature that could not be designed today, and it defines the character of the course.
Blind Shots and Ancient Character
Prestwick's blind tee shots, quirky angles, and natural dune formations are the product of a course laid out before the conventions of golf architecture had been established. It is a course of genuine, irreplaceable eccentricity.
A Pilgrimage for Golf Historians
For any serious student of golf history, Prestwick is an essential destination. The course, the clubhouse, and the original Claret Jug tell the story of how the game was organised and how championship golf began.
The Course
Course Views
Extend Your Itinerary
Pair It with Other Ayrshire Links
Prestwick sits at the heart of Ayrshire's championship links corridor, within easy reach of Royal Troon, Turnberry, and Western Gailes. The concentration of great links golf along the west coast of Scotland is unmatched.
Golf Travel
How It Is Included
Prestwick is a natural part of any Ayrshire itinerary — a course that provides historical depth and genuine character alongside the championship grandeur of Royal Troon and Turnberry. We build Prestwick into west coast Scotland programmes alongside the other great Ayrshire links, arranging tee times and accommodation to create a seamless experience.
To explore how Prestwick fits into a wider route, visit our Home of Golf Collection page or our Scotland golf tours page.
Begin Your Journey
Play Prestwick Golf Club
Speak with our team to arrange tee times at Prestwick and build a private itinerary across the Ayrshire coast.
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