Turnberry Ailsa
One of the great links of the world, strung along the Ayrshire shore beneath the Turnberry lighthouse with Ailsa Craig out to sea. Host of four Open Championships, including the 1977 Duel in the Sun between Watson and Nicklaus, and reborn through a celebrated 2016 remodelling by Mackenzie and Ebert that gave it some of the finest coastal holes in golf.
Photo: Kolaz Golf via Google.
The verdict
The Ailsa is the headline links of the Ayrshire coast and one of the most decorated in the game, having staged the Open Championship four times, in 1977, 1986, 1994 and 2009. The 1977 contest, the Duel in the Sun between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, remains among the most famous finishes in major history. The course was first laid out by Willie Fernie early in the twentieth century, rebuilt by Mackenzie Ross after wartime use and reopened in 1951, then comprehensively remodelled by Martin Ebert of Mackenzie and Ebert in 2016. It plays as a par 71 and stretches well beyond 7,000 yards from the championship tees.
The 2016 work transformed the famous run along the sea around the ninth, tenth and eleventh, relocating greens and tees to the cliff edge and creating a stretch of coastal holes, including a spectacular par 3 over the rocks, that now rank with the best anywhere. The setting, with the lighthouse, the Ailsa Craig and the Arran hills beyond, is as good as links golf looks. It is also the most expensive round in Britain, so it is a considered, bucket list day rather than a casual one, but for many golfers it is the single most memorable links they will play.
The Ailsa at a glance
- Origin
- Willie Fernie
- Remodelled
- 2016, Mackenzie & Ebert
- Opens hosted
- Four (1977 to 2009)
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- Over 7,000 yds
- Green fee
- From around 315 GBP
Open history, designers, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the resort, the R&A record and leading course databases; the Ailsa has hosted four Opens (1977, 1986, 1994, 2009), was remodelled by Mackenzie and Ebert in 2016, plays to a par 71 and stretches beyond 7,000 yards from the back. Green fees are indicative for the 2026 season: a peak summer visitor round is around 1,000 pounds, dropping to roughly 545 pounds after 1pm and about 315 pounds outside peak season, with reduced rates for hotel guests. It is the most expensive course in Britain. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Ailsa opens inland before turning toward the sea, easing you in over rolling links ground where the wind sets the early tone and the greens already ask for precise approaches.
The famous middle stretch, reshaped in 2016, runs hard along the cliffs past the lighthouse: the par 3 over the rocks and the holes around it are the postcard of Scottish golf, exhilarating and exposed, where the sea is in play and the views to Ailsa Craig are unforgettable.
The closing holes turn for home across classic dunescape, a stern, honest finish in the prevailing wind that has decided Opens. There is no let up, only the steady demand for control that defines championship links golf.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Open to visitors and hotel guests; advance booking essential and tee times are limited |
| Green fee | Indicative 2026: around 1,000 pounds peak summer, roughly 545 pounds after 1pm, about 315 pounds off peak; reduced rates for hotel guests. The most expensive round in Britain |
| Booking | Reserve through the resort or your trip planner well ahead; staying at the hotel secures access and a better rate |
| On the day | Caddies available and recommended; walking links. Smart golf dress |
| Getting there | On the South Ayrshire coast, around an hour southwest of Glasgow and close to Prestwick and Glasgow airports |
| Best months | May to September for the best chance of settled links weather, though it plays year round |
Access and indicative 2026 green fees verified June 2026; they change without notice and tee times are limited, so always confirm directly before booking with the resort or your trip planner. Check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is the Turnberry hotel above the course, where staying secures tee access on the Ailsa and a materially lower green fee, with views over the links to the sea. It is the way most golfers play here.
For a fuller Ayrshire trip, the coast offers Royal Troon and Prestwick a short drive north, and Glasgow sits around an hour away for arrivals and a city night. It is an easy region to build a multi links week around championship venues.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Turnberry and the Ayrshire coast.
Build an Ayrshire golf trip
We build Turnberry into an Ayrshire links week with Royal Troon and Prestwick, secure the tee times and the hotel rate that unlocks the Ailsa, and sort the transfers from Glasgow. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
The Ailsa questions
How many Open Championships has Turnberry's Ailsa hosted?
The Ailsa has hosted four Open Championships, in 1977, 1986, 1994 and 2009. The 1977 Open, the Duel in the Sun between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, is among the most famous finishes in major championship history.
Who redesigned the Ailsa course and when?
The Ailsa was first laid out by Willie Fernie, rebuilt by Mackenzie Ross after the war and reopened in 1951, then comprehensively remodelled by Martin Ebert of Mackenzie and Ebert in 2016, work that reshaped the celebrated holes along the sea around the lighthouse.
How much does it cost to play the Ailsa at Turnberry?
Indicative 2026 green fees run to around 1,000 pounds for a peak summer visitor round, dropping to roughly 545 pounds after 1pm and about 315 pounds outside peak season, with lower rates for hotel guests. It is the most expensive course in Britain, and fees change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
Where is Turnberry and how do I get there?
Turnberry sits on the South Ayrshire coast, around an hour southwest of Glasgow and close to Prestwick and Glasgow airports. It pairs naturally with Royal Troon and Prestwick for an Ayrshire links week.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Open history, designers, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative 2026 green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.