Trump Turnberry Ailsa Course Key Information
Trump Turnberry Ailsa Course
With many changes since it last hosted the Open Championship back in 2009, some very recent, the Ailsa Course is now better than ever. It serves up a knockout combination of immense strategy and fabulous setting that’s a complete joy all the way, especially the holes closest to the sea. The King Robert the Bruce Course is also hugely enjoyable, especially the newer Ebert holes.
Reasons To Play The Ailsa Course
– An Open Championship venue with a quite brilliant combination of strategy and setting
– Play the changes before the next generation of champions get to test them out
– The 3-5-3 sequence around the turn is one of the most exciting and enjoyable in golf
Rankings
UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2025/26 - 03
The beautiful but testing Trump Turnberry Ailsa Course is one of the best links in the UK. It became an Open Championship venue in 1977 but is not currently on the rota. That is presumably a political decision based on its ownership as there is no doubting that the course itself is a more than worthy venue and deserving of its high status in the Golf Monthly Top 100. I loved it before the changes, and was even more impressed when I went back to see them a few years ago.
That first hosting of The Open, almost half a century ago, turned into one of the all-time classics, the Duel in the Sun. In the end, Tom Watson just edged it by a single stroke from the great Jack Nicklaus. Since then, The Open has been here on three further occasions, and so it was a bold move to subsequently make substantial changes in a quest to improve it further. Martin Ebert had made some changes prior to the 2009 Open, and he was called back in but with a far wider remit and greater resources. It has now moved on very dramatically since the original post-war restoration by Philip Mackenzie Ross and is one of the very best golf courses in Scotland.
The most significant and exciting changes this time round were those made around the turn. This stretch kicks off with a spectacular new short hole, the 9th, now deemed to be one of the best par 3s in the world. This is a full-length one-shotter along the cliff-edge that must carry over crags and ravines to the green by the lighthouse. Following a half-time refresher in one of golf’s most amazing halfway houses, the lighthouse, the back nine begins with a glorious, snaking par 5. Again there is a daunting carry over the rocks, and if the wind is howling in from the left, you may well have to aim your drive out to sea! The hole then works its way gently right to left along the shore, taking in an enormous bunker some way short. This stretch finishes with another glorious new hole, again a par 3. Once more you must flirt with danger all the way on the left. I think that this 3-5-3 sequence by the sea is a brilliant hat-trick of holes, taking full advantage of its thrilling location.
Ebert’s great work continues all the way to the 18th tee which has been moved up on to the dunes to create a far more impressive climax. You now play straight back towards the iconic hotel. As you would expect from such a premium set-up, it is presented in immaculate order. It is clearly one of the most famous golf courses in Scotland, and while there is also no denying that it is pricey, it is in every respect one of the very best courses in the UK&I.
I am really looking forward to seeing the latest Martin Ebert changes which are being unveiled this Spring. These include the repositioning of the 7th green to a more exciting position by the edge of the cliff combined with a new tee complex at the 8th, as well as new mounding and various other tweaks on the back nine.
What's new for 2025/26? What our panellists said...
If you took away what I feel is unnecessary American styling, it would be almost perfect. So much better than when I played before the changes, and it was good then.
A dramatic layout, with so many iconic famous views, wild and rugged yet finished with immaculate attention to detail. A joy no matter the weather.
Top 5, no debating! You can very easily make a case for this being number one. The King of the North continues to reign supreme even when it rains, it hits all the right notes every time!
Trump Turnberry Location
Trump Turnberry Ailsa Course Scorecard
Best Courses Near To Trump Turnberry
Best Places To Stay Near Trump Turnberry
Trump Turnberry Hotel - Book now via Booking.com
Where better than this luxurious hotel with the Ailsa Course right on your doorstep as well as the excellent King Robert The Bruce Course?
Western House Hotel, Ayr - Book now via Booking.com
This excellent hotel is set in mature landscaped gardens and offers 10 executive bedrooms and suites in the main house, and 39 well appointed modern courtyard rooms.
Trump Turnberry Ailsa Course Gallery
Historical Top 100 Rankings UK&I
- 2025/26 03
- 2023/24 03
- 2021/22 04
- 2019/20 01
- 2017/18 01
- 2015/16 04
- 2013/14 04
- 2011/12 03
- 2009/10 02
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Turnberry ever stage The Open Championship again?
One can only hope so. It's clearly a political decision, but this is a superb test of golf that has hosted very successful Opens in the past. It is even better following the changes since the last one, and it would also look brilliant on TV!
Is Turnberry really a Must Play?
There are only two reasons that most people choose not to play here. One is cost - it is the most pricey green fee in the Top 100 - the other is the elephant in the clubhouse, its owner. Everyone needs to make up their own mind on both issues, but the course itself is still magnificent.
How many courses are there at Turnberry?
As well as the Ailsa, the revamped King Robert the Bruce Course is great fun and even more scenic in places. The run from the 8th to the 11th is particularly lovely and there is a strong argument that they could be included in a composite course to make a sensational Open venue. The 9-hole Arran Course is no real length but ideal for short-game practice or for a warm-up.
