Scotland Golf Vacation Tour of British Open Clubs

28 miles west of Glasgow is a tall, white lighthouse standing against the calm waters of the Firth of Clyde, the largest and deepest coastal waters in Britain. The port town of Gourock is painted bright colors as it looks out to the marina. Small fishing boats dot the blue Atlantic waters. Their masts sway in the gentle wading ocean. The Southwest Highlands rise around the Clyde Estuary in the distance. Southwest along the Firth is Ayr, a city known for its long stretch of sandy beaches and Georgian homes. Land in Glasgow where your private transfer waits for you at the airport. The city has a contemporary earthiness draped across the buildings, filled with an almost hidden sophistication.

Victorian buildings leave a legacy of the wealth amassed by the manufacturing trade around the turn of the 20th century.  The timeless Glasgow Cathedral was constructed in the 15th century and maintains a dark, medieval interior. However the Gothic architecture offers insight into the construction of the old city. Regimental colors dangle alongside the entry nave. The wooden roof contains timber dating back to its original gathering in the 14th century. You leave the city behind and make your way along edges of the rippling coastal waters and arrive at Turnberry. The greenery stretches across the Scottish lowlands and spreads from coast to coast. Settle into your luxurious accommodations near the cool lapping waters of the Atlantic.

Wake up in your lavish accommodation set along 800 acres nestled across the Ayrshire coastline. The resort holds over a century of tradition as the world’s first golf resort. Culzean Castle rises over the water on a small dune covered in tall, thorny bushes. The 18th-century castle hides secret gardens and watches over the surging sea. Lush forests sprawl outward across the landscape. Deer romp beside the trees and graze on the grass. In the morning, you can hear the water lapping against the sand.

The pristine white façade of your resort stands out against the rolling greenery. Your private transfer meets you after breakfast and takes you to the prestigious Prestwick Golf Club, the birthplace of the Open Championship. The club has more than 160 years of history and holds onto its heritage proudly. The clubhouse is rich in charm, enigmatic of an antique course brimming with modern comforts. Emerald carpet lines the interior and leads you through the locker room. Venture out to the tee and find a stunning course bordered by the water.

A breeze blows in and brings the salty scent of the ocean. The cool air brushes your face and you hold down your hat. The first hole is known as Railway, a par four at 345 yards. You set your tee and ball in place. The hole was build in 1882, yet is often referred to as “new.” You grab your mid-level iron and hold the club firm. The greenery ahead undulates connoting varied surfaces. You take the first swing and accept the historic challenge.

The 19th century Stumpy Tower holds a key position at the center of Girvan. Originally the town jail, the cells were constructed on the first to the third floors, just beneath the clock tower. The clock ticks away at the town center above a 16th century brass canon. The morning air is filled with coastal moisture. You wake up and find the lobby of your grand hotel filled with the scent of aromatic fresh brewed tea. The hot beverage warms your hands at the thought of the cool atmosphere of the early hours.

The scent of creamy porridge mixed with steamed milk and honey adds to the delectable start of your day. The sunshine washes over the landscape and you venture to Royal Troon, eight-time host of the British Open. The course is celebrated for its challenging but fair design. Troon is considered a sister course to Prestwick, however, the two could not be more different in character. In 1923 famous American golfer Walter Hagen came in second, finishing behind the English Arthur Havers.

The northwest wind blows across the fairways on the back nine, sweeping in from the coast and brushing past the gorse and broom bushes. You contemplate your strategy against the elements and survey the stunning landscape. The entire course is approximately 6,632 with holes of disparate lengths and pars. Hole sixteen, known as Well, is a par five of 533 yards. Across the water, you can see mountains rising along the horizon. Five bunkers encompass the sloping green making specific positioning necessary. The morning dew has evaporated and the seaside moisture helps cool the sunshine.

The stone church of Alloway Auld Kirk was constructed with rectangular and edges to support the thatched roof. The grounds date back to the 16th century and were the setting of Robert Burns’ celebrated story of Tam O’Shanter. Historic tombstones fill the yard; each is expertly carved and designed with symbols implying resurrection. The firth glistens in the daylight. Your course today is situated close to your accommodation and runs alongside the gorgeous water. Dunes rise and fall against the shoreline, sloping downward into rugged, pebbled beaches. A single pristine white lighthouse rises above the stoic water.

Ailsa was host to the Women’s British Open in the summer of 2015 and encompasses 7,211 yards from the first tee to the final green. The first three holes are an indication of the challenge to come. The freshly dewed grass provides delightful aromatics. The isle of Ailsa Craig is visible sitting 11 miles off shore. Sandy knolls frame Hole Five. Craggy rocks border Hole 11. Hole 11 is named “Maidens,” and is a par three of approximately 175 yards. The craggy coastline stands at your left. Two bunkers guard the green. The fairway is straight and rippling. You listen to the ping of the ball off of your club and wait and see where and when the ball will stop.

The plush comforts of your resort are a pleasure to wake up to. The calm sounds of the water drift through the air. After breakfast, your private transfer meets you at the hotel and whisks you away from the western coastline. You wind your way through the heart of Scotland and arrive at St. Andrews, the “home of golf.” The day is yours to enjoy the town at your leisure and rest your muscles for the coming famous courses. St. Andrews Cathedral was constructed in the 12th century and its shell remains a powerful reminder of its former prestige.

The pitched arches of the colonnade support the walls and offers a view into the hollow interior. The entire body church stretched 335 feet in length. The square tower stands 108 feet tall and casts a drifting shadow over the cathedral remains. A short distance away, situated against the North Sea, is the charming village of Crail.  Small fishing boats dock against the stone wall that rises above the water. The village facades are painted opulent white and ravishing oranges. Local fishermen haul their nets filled with prawns and lobsters and prepare them on quayside. The aroma of grilled prawns and lemon zest adds to the salted sea-touched air.

The foliage at Andrew Carnegie’s Dunfermline glows emerald green and burnt orange against the stone paths. An elegant bridge crosses over a small stream. The stone stairwell winds around the protruding, moss covered wall. In the morning, the stream rushes against the dangling vines and auburn leaves. The tycoon is known for expanding the American steel industry but was born in the humble colored landscape of Fife County, Scotland. After breakfast, you arrive at Carnoustie clubhouse.

Golf critics agree that the course is the most challenging of all British Open venues and has been home to the Open seven times throughout the competition’s history. History rises from the green fields. People have played golf at Carnoustie for over 400 years and the game has remained an important part of town life. The club was renovated in the 19th century, creating an ambiance of artisan comforts. In 2007, Padraig Harrington celebrated victory on the Championship Course. The manicured grass on the fairway looks graceful beside the reaching longhaired border.

The first hole is a gentle introduction to the course. Soon you find the narrow fairways binding, etched by bunkers placed to drive you right. The seventh hole contains a sloped green that pushes the ball away from the hole. The sweetness of fresh grass surrounds you. You grip your putter tight and ease the club towards the ball with your hips. You see the ball follow the line you’ve drawn in your mind as you hear the gratifying sound of the ball hitting the bottom of the cup before you celebrate par on the 410-yard encounter.

Your day starts early with the savory aromas of a full Scottish breakfast wafting through the luxurious hotel lobby. Fried eggs and bacon sizzle on the plate accompanied by sausage and slow-cooked beans. The large meal helps prepare you for your day playing the legendary courses of St. Andrews. The North Sea provides the soundtrack to your morning, the waves crashing against the sand. The course is layered with mist as the sunlight peeks over the horizon. A stone bridge crosses over a stream that winds from the city to the sea. Aged buildings border course and remind you of the rich game’s rich history.

The contemporary clubhouse contains elements of a castle, including a modern looking conical tower that watches over the Old and New Courses. The Old Course is considered the birthplace of golf filled with over 600 years of history. The cool morning filters into sunny warmth. The sheet of early hour moisture dissipates. You walk along the same course that American Zach Johnson scored a 15 under par in the 2015 British Open. You can feel the history around you. Set your tee and begin your journey across 6,721 yards of celebrated ground. Make sure to keep your momentum because in the afternoon you continue onward to the New Course for another round.

Wake up to the serene comforts of your hotel, situated on 520 acres of exclusive, breathtaking land. Rolling knolls shine gold, interspersed with verdant flatlands bordered by the azure water. The scenery across Scotland has only enhanced every step on the golf course and every swing of your club. The ineffable beauty embodies the purity of the game and guides you through each challenging hole. After breakfast, your private transfer meets you at the hotel. Soon you will make your way southbound to the airport for your flight home. You feel invigorated by Scotland and the serene, secluded pleasures of your time on the golf course.

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