Royal Troon. Turnberry. Prestwick. Four words that will leave anyone who knows their sand wedge from a sandwich weak at the knees – and these world-class golf courses are all on the doorstep of the Salt Lodge Hotel in Troon. Tee off for our guide to golf around Troon!

Royal Troon

Set foot on the greens of Royal Troon, founded back in 1878 and considered one of the most challenging links courses in the world, and you can feel the history in every blade of grass. From the epic challenge of The Old Course to the meandering wonders of The Portland Course, Royal Troon has something to offer golfers of every ability.

Trump Turnberry

Put politics to one side and make your way to Trump Turnberry and you’ll find The Ailsa, one of the world’s most loved – and most spectacular – golf courses. This masterpiece has hosted the Open Championship four times, including the unforgettable 1977 Duel in the Sun, and boasts some of the most beautiful scenery of any course on the planet.

For those looking for a more modern challenge, Trump Turnberry also boasts the King Robert the Bruce course – fittingly built on the ruins of the medieval castle the King of Scots was born in in 1274. Boasting the same views as its older sibling The Ailsa, the introduction of the King Robert reinforced Turnberry’s reputation as a true golfer’s paradise.

Prestwick

St Andrews might be known as the home of golf, but it’s Prestwick that’s the home of The Open. 160 years ago, a group of enthusiastic members made the momentous decision to purchase two unassuming cottages – wisely positioned opposite the town’s tavern – and Prestwick Golf Club was formed. Nine years later, the fledgling course hosted the first-ever Open Championship.

Today, a simple stone cairn marks the spot where the first tee shot was struck in 1860 – the place where modern golfing history began. For any lover of golf, a trip to Prestwick is a pilgrimage; a place to play the sport in its truest form. While other courses in Scotland have evolved, Prestwick has been preserved. Gauging the lie and run of its centuries-old greens; treading through the rugged strips of its rough; feeling the salt-specked air of the sea as you tee off – playing at Prestwick is something that should be on every golfer’s bucket list.

There’s nowhere else in Scotland with so many championship golf courses within driving (car and club) range as Troon. Check-in to the Salt Lodge Hotel in Troon and experience them for yourself.

Other adventures

Looking for more adventures to undertake on your next trip to Ayrshire? Check out our guides to the incredible walking and cycling routes and fantastic food and drink on the doorstep of the Salt Lodge Hotel in Troon!