This magnificent golf course was founded in 1851, and today's golfers can still play six of the original greens. Tom Morris was the first Keeper of the Green, Ball and Club Maker, and laid out the original 12 hole course on which the first ever Open was played.
A classic links course, Prestwick features a railway track along the eastern side of the course and dramatic sand dunes right in the centre at Pow Hill, The Queens Jack, and Cearcevlock Hill. The River Pow, also called the Pow Burn, flows through the club and makes for a marvellous natural obstacle. Ernie Els lavished praise on the course when he declared it “one of the best golf experiences in the world.”.
About Prestwick golf course – Brief History
- In 1851, a group of 57 members bought two cottages opposite the tavern, determined to build a golf club
- The first cottage became the members’ clubhouse, the other was gifted to Old Tom Morris
- Old Tom was the club's first Keeper of the Green, ball and club maker, and laid out the original 12-hole links course
- The club hosted the first Open Championship less than ten years later
- Old Tom went back to St Andrews in 1864, and the sale of his Prestwick cottage part-funded the present clubhouse
- The 24th and final Open Championship at Prestwick took place in 1925
- The clubhouse was extended in 1877
- The club added 90 lockers, still used today, in 1882
- Dramatic re-development took place in the late 1990s
- Has staged the Amateur Championship eleven times, most recently in 2001
Prestwick Scorecard
Click here to view the scorecard
Featured hole – Hole 17
Every time you play the 17th hole, you're coming up against history itself. This is the original 2nd hole, dating right back to 1851 and the oldest playable hole remaining in Championship Golf. You'll need a nice, accurate tee shot to handle the narrow fairway and land you on the green in two. And because your second shot is blind, you have to play every bit of the yardage. Fall too short and you'll end up playing from the infamously tricky Sahara bunker.
Known for its strong Open Championship connection
Prestwick is famous for awesome tee blind shots at the short fifth and on approach to the 17th hole. But the most famous hole is the third, a devilish par 5 dogleg right measuring a full 500 yards. The fairway screeches to a halt 300 yards from the tee, where the land falls away in front of you into an enormous 50 yard diameter bunker buttressed with railway sleepers, also known as “The Cardinal”. If that doesn’t sound difficult enough, you have to contend sand dunes, with the Pow Burn flowing down the right hand side of the course and the sea marking the westernmost boundary.
Prestwick Golf Scotland – Remarkable Golf Breaks
If you’re ready for the epic golfing challenges awaiting at Prestwick, The Experience St Andrews is the home of a comprehensive collection of unbeatable golfing packages, including Prestwick golf vacation deals.
For an unparalleled golfing adventure, and memories to last a lifetime our Prestwick Golf Breaks package comprises of superb accommodation, clubhouse lunches, transfers and more. In addition to this our holiday packages are fully customisable, so do get in touch to discuss your needs.
Featured Prestwick Golf package:
St Andrews & West Coast 7 Nights Golf Package – Featuring 7 incredible rounds of Golf at your choice of courses, including one guaranteed round at the Old Course. You get 7 nights’ accommodation with a full Scottish breakfast provided daily plus all transfers, driving range privileges when in St Andrews and then some.