A Journal for the Thrifty Gowfer
Ayrshire
Turnberry, Ayrshire
Plate I — Links course — coastal exposure, firm running turf
Second course at Turnberry. Shares the lighthouse and clifftop setting of the Ailsa.
From the Notebook
The Kintyre Course is Turnberry's second 18-hole layout — a links that runs inland of the Ailsa and shares some of the same clifftop terrain without the same Open Championship pedigree. Originally the King's Course, redesigned in the 1990s as the Colin Montgomerie Links (it was named after him during his sponsorship arrangement with the resort) and subsequently renamed the Kintyre after the Trump Organisation's acquisition.
Par 70, around 6,500 yards. The Kintyre shares the Ailsa Course's most spectacular visual element — the Turnberry Lighthouse visible across the inlet, and Ailsa Craig on the horizon — but routes through more sheltered inland ground for much of its length. The result is a round that is easier and less exposed than the Ailsa, but with moments of the same coastal drama on the lighthouse-side holes.
Green fee is £150–225, roughly half the Ailsa rate. For visitors staying at Turnberry and playing two courses over a long weekend, the Kintyre provides excellent value in the context of the resort's pricing structure. Hotel guests receive preferential rates. The combination of Ailsa (for the bucket-list experience) and Kintyre (for the comparative perspective) is the standard two-round Turnberry visit.
The Full Scorecard
Plan This Round
Where to Stay
Hotels, lodges and self-catering near the first tee. Map-style search via Stay22 covering Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb and Vrbo.
How to Get There
Glasgow Prestwick (PIK) is 20 minutes away by car. Train + onward taxi works for the carless visitor.
Insure Your Round
Most home contents policies don't cover golf clubs in transit. The picker matches you to the right kind of cover in two minutes.
Played here? Consider
Course-tuned recommendations, not generic gear lists.
Outerwear
Wind off the firth changes club selection two irons. A breathable, fully-waterproof shell that's light enough not to swing in is the single biggest upgrade for Scottish links golf.
Layer
Scottish-made merino — the locals' choice for shoulder-season rounds. Warm enough for a 7am tee time in October, light enough for the back nine when the sun comes out.
Tech
Handles blind tee shots and exposed-coastal yardage cleanly. Battery lasts a 36-hole day; the wind-direction overlay justifies the price on its own.
★ The Sunday Post ★
One short Scottish-golf email every Sunday. Free PDF on signup: The Open Coast in Three Days, Under £400. No sales pitch.
The Sunday Post
One email, most Sundays. No sales pitch.
Stays Nearby
Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering within easy reach of Turnberry. Tap any property to check rates.
Rates and availability via Stay22. We may earn a small commission if you book — at no extra cost to you. How affiliate links work.
Frequently Asked
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