Sample Detailed Itinerary
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Day 1:
This evening depart the United States.
Day 2:
Today play Dundonald Links (tbc). Fresh from his celebrated success at Kingsbarns, Kyle Phillips created Dundonald for Loch Lomond Golf Club who wanted a classic links alternative for its members. Opened in 2003, this is a championship quality layout with predictability rumpled fairways, deep pot bunkers and undulating greens frequently guarded by burns. Found just 5 miles north of Royal Troon, the club has hosted the men’s and women’s Scottish Open along with the European Tour’s qualifying school. The par fives here are particularly strong. Among the best is No. 3 at 530 yards from the medal tees. Trouble along the right side plus a bunker left requires accuracy off the tee. The burn then cuts across the fairway about 100 yards short of the green. Three can be reached but not without a solid tee shot.
Dundonald Links, Scotland by LINKS Magazine
On arrival at the Airport you will be met by PerryGolf personnel who will assist you with your luggage and transfer to your transportation.
Your preferred arrival & departure airport options are dependent on your personal preferences. The closest airport to your first hotel/golf course is listed first. Some airports have direct transatlantic flights from US cities while others only offer service with connections through European hub cities. Our air department is available to talk through your air travel options.
OVERNIGHT: Marine Troon - Classic King/Twin
Day 3: Gailes Links
Play Gailes Links (tbc). Gailes Links doesn’t get as much attention as its contemporaries on Scotland’s west coast but the R&A knows it well. The club has hosted final qualifying for The Open at Troon and Turnberry on four occasions in recent years. Part of the Glasgow Golf Club, this Willie Park Jr design (Maidstone, Sunningdale Old) opened in 1892. Notorious for the whin (gorse) and heather that line these narrow fairways, it is a classic links that plays to 6,903 yards from the championship tees. Here you will want to favor precision over power. The club claims four signature holes but arguably none better than 18. At 435 yards into the prevailing wind you can expect to approach the green with a hybrid guarding against a swale and a pot bunker left plus 3 pot bunkers right. You’ll be pleased to find the front of the green setting up a two-putt par.
OVERNIGHT: Marine Troon - Classic King/Twin
Day 4: Trump Turnberry - Ailsa Course
Play the Ailsa Course (tbc) at Turnberry. You can’t rush perfection, Turnberry’s Ailsa Course is proof. It was established in 1902, modified in 1906, modified again in 1909, redesigned in 1938 then nearly disappeared after the Second World War when it was converted into an airbase with several holes flattened into concrete runways. It was restored and reopened in 1951 as one of Scotland’s finest links to the extent it hosted The Open for the first time in 1977 when Tom Watson’s 65-65 weekend beat Jack Nicklaus’ 65-66. MacKenzie & Ebert made extensive alterations before The Open in 2009 then Ebert returned for a major update in 2015. The result is spectacular, particularly but by no means limited to holes 9-11 that play across and along the bay atop rock outcrops on the left; dunes, pot bunkers and high fescue on the right. The club’s famous lighthouse includes an incredible two-bedroom suite and one of the most memorable halfway houses in golf.
Click here for the golf course IMAGE GALLERY
OVERNIGHT: Marine Troon - Classic King/Twin
Day 5: Royal Troon
Play Royal Troon (tbc). Royal Troon is a course in the current Open rota. Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Tom Weiskopf (his only win in a major) have won here as did Henrik Stenson whose Sunday round of 63 outlasted Phil Mickelson’s 65 to claim The 145th Open. It is a long links course but it is consistently praised for its testing but fair set up. Troon boasts both the longest and the shortest holes among Open venues, being the “Postage Stamp” 8th at 126 yards, and the 6th at 601 yards named “Turnberry”. The layout gives you a chance to find your game with a gentle opening but the inward nine is considered one of the most difficult sides in major championship golf.
Click here for the golf course IMAGE GALLERY
Click here to watch how to play the Postage Stamp
Click here for the course VIDEO
OVERNIGHT: Marine Troon - Classic King/Twin
Day 6: Western Gailes
Play today at Western Gailes (tbc). Western Gailes is rated by many visitors to Scotland as one of its best keep secrets and immensely enjoyable. The course lies between the railway and the sea like many others in Ayrshire. Its only two holes wide, with nine played along the sea and nine played beside the railway. Variety gives Western its special character. The seaside holes are routed through classic links land with dunes, high grass and the beach. These are arguably more difficult than the inland holes which are slightly longer with heavier bunkering. Your caddie here will often be a club member who typically cannot resist sharing the club’s story with visitors. You will enjoy a special day here.
Click here for the golf course IMAGE GALLERY
OVERNIGHT: Marine Troon - Classic King/Twin
Day 7: Prestwick
Play today at Prestwick (tbc). Only the Old Course has hosted The Open more often than Prestwick, the last of 24 played here was in 1925. Eleven of the first twelve Opens were played on Old Tom Morris’ twelve-hole layout beginning in 1860. Six holes were added in 1883. One of the club’s great strengths is variety. There are blind shots. Uphill holes and those that play downhill and sidehill. Greens in hollows and plateau greens. Driveable par fours and those you’ll be delighted to reach in two. Perhaps most famous is “Alps” the 394-yard 17th. The narrow fairway runs straight up a steep sandhill which hides a generous green guarded in front by the notorious “Sahara” bunker framed with revetted sod and railroad ties interrupted only by wooden steps to allow you in and out.
WEBCAST - A Greenside Chat: "The Story of the First Club to Host The Open" ~ Prestwick Golf Club
Click here for the golf course IMAGE GALLERY
OVERNIGHT: Marine Troon - Classic King/Twin
Day 8:
Depart the United Kingdom from Airport.
