History of Prestwick:

Prestwick Golf Club’s origins can be traced to the year 1851, 57 men, and the Red Lion Inn. The pub, which still stands at Prestwick Cross, was the meeting location for a discussion of opening a new golf club.

The club, forever known as the birthplace of the Open, has hosted 24 Open Championships in all. Prestwick held it’s last Open Championships in 1926. Afterward, the crowds were deemed to be too large for the venue to hold anymore. The original 12-hole layout played host to the first Open Championship in 1860, won by Willie Park. The prize was a red Morocco leather belt with silver clasps costing £25. Over the next 12 years at Prestwick, the belt was won 4 times by Old Tom Morris then 3 successive times by Young Tom Morris, who subsequently became owner of the prized belt.

Prestwick has not changed much over the years. It was expanded to 18 holes in 1883 with seven original greens remaining to this day. The course often has controversial blind shots and a misleadingly initial unkempt appearance. These characteristics are an acknowledgement to the fact that the course remains true to its origins.

Course Overview:

Prestwick is currently ranked #75 in the world by Golf Magazine. The meandering waters of “Pow Burn” run through the course. While, it also boasts a unique array of holes with significant amounts of heather and gorse. When combined with some typically hellish Scottish bunkers, this can often ruin an otherwise respectable score. Prestwick’s fairways are for the most part narrow. Also, its generally small and undulating greens, given certain pin placements, can make for some interesting approach shots. However, when the wind rolls in from the Firth of Clyde, the golfer would be well advised to lower his aspirations of a low score.

Probably the best known hole at Prestwick is the par 5, 3rd hole. It incorporates the infamous “Cardinal Bunker” – a vast expanse of sand divided by fairway and faced by railway ties. Whatever woes you may have at the end of the day – whether Pow Burn, Cardinal, Willie Campbell’s Grave or the undulating greens – you are advised to try the best known local cure: “a brim-full schooner of Kummel!”

This historic golf course is just one of many Classic Scotland Courses to ask our golf advisors about.