
Prestwick Course
Prestwick Golf Club



About this course
Prestwick, birthplace of Open Championship golf, remains a compellingly idiosyncratic links that demands imagination and a keen appreciation for the game's historical roots. Found along the bracing Ayrshire coast, the course is a rumpled landscape of dunes, pot bunkers, and famously eccentric features. The blind par-3 fifth, "The Himalayas," exemplifies the exhilarating challenge, while the Cardinal bunker guards the 17th – each a reminder of the unpredictable nature of links golf. Its terrain favors creative shot-making over brute power. Originally laid out by Old Tom Morris, Prestwick has evolved over time while retaining its old-world character. While not in the conversation of most modern championship courses, it’s layout rewards a player who embraces the ground game and possesses the wisdom to plot their way around. The membership remains proudly traditional, embracing the club’s heritage with a dedication to the spirit of the game. Prestwick hosted the Open Championship 24 times, more than any other course. However, the last time was in 1925, as the course gradually became unsuitable for large crowds and increasing distance due to technological advances in golf equipment. Yet, it remains a pilgrimage site for golfers seeking an authentic links experience.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in UK
Best in Scotland
Quick facts
- Location
- Prestwick, South Ayrshire, Scotland
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1851
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Old Tom Morris
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 6,908 yards
- Difficulty
- 76/141
- Course Vaults score
- 8.7
Getting there
Most visitors to Prestwick Golf Club arrive through Glasgow International Airport, roughly forty minutes north by car, though the town's own Prestwick Airport - once Scotland's transatlantic gateway - still handles private and charter traffic and sits virtually adjacent to the links. The drive south from Glasgow traces the Ayrshire coast, where industrial outskirts give way to glimpses of the Firth of Clyde and the distant peaks of Arran, before delivering you to the modest clubhouse that has anchored this stretch of linksland since 1851. There is no grand entrance, no sweeping driveway - just a turn off the coastal road and the quiet realization that you have arrived at the birthplace of The Open Championship, where the game's oldest trophy was first contested.

FAQ
Common questions about Prestwick
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Prestwick has a Course Vaults score of 8.7 out of 10 based on 83 logged golfers.
Prestwick was designed by Old Tom Morris.
Yes. Prestwick is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Prestwick is 71.
Prestwick plays 6,908 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Prestwick is 141.






