There are many parts of Scotland that would throw their hat in the ring for this accolade but, for me, Ayrshire is the best region for golf in the country.
The likes of Fife, East Lothian and the Highlands all have their charms, but nothing quite matches the glorious links courses that Ayrshire has.
One of the keys to a great links course in my opinion is a train line in close proximity. Almost every course in this region sits on the Glasgow-Ayr train line, providing trepidation from many a tee box.
The region is home to championship layouts, including those that have hosted The Open, while there are also some quirky tracks that you might not have heard of.
It’s just the best region for golf – let me explain why…
CHECK OUT – NCG Top 100s: Ayrshire’s best courses
Golf, golf and more golf
Ayrshire is one of the few regions that the NCG Top 100s Tour visits twice each year – and it’s simply because of how many amazing golf courses there are in the region.
In May, we made the trip north to play at Gailes Links, Western Gailes and Irvine – three courses with different aesthetics and challenges.
Western Gailes is the most famous of the three, and is one of the best layouts in the region. The host venue of the 1972 Curtis Cup remains a real test to this day, but offers glorious views over the Firth of Clyde and out to the Isle of Arran.
Its next door neighbour, Gailes Links, provides a different version of links golf. It is slightly more playable, and offers more scoring chances for the higher handicap. As part of the Glasgow Golf Club, the history of the club dates back almost 250 years.
Then, there is Irvine. If you’re a fan of blind shots and quirky golf holes, then ‘Bogside’ is the place for you. The short par 4 4th is the best-known hole, thanks to its green sitting right next to the wall that separates the boundary of the golf course from the aforementioned railway line.
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The final week of the regular season in 2025 also takes us back to Ayrshire, with a run that includes Kilmarnock Barassie, Dundonald Links and Prestwick St Nicholas.
Dundonald Links, the host of the Women’s Scottish Open for the last few years, is exactly what you would expect of a modern, championship links. There are chances to score, but there are also plenty of supremely challenging holes. It is truly one of the modern greats.
Kilmarnock Barassie sits just to the north of Dundonald, and is a venue that has two layouts – the 18-hole Barassie Course and the 9-hole Hillhouse Course. The original 18 included what is now the Hillhouse nine, before the expansion of the course, which now takes you to the boundary with Dundonald.
The last event of the season takes us to Prestwick St Nicholas. Having been located at its current site since the 1890s, it is a course that will test even the most skilful of golfers, despite being a relatively short course.
Fancy playing in our Ayrshire Autumn Swing at Kilmarnock Barassie, Dundonald Links and Prestwick St Nicholas? Take a look at that package on the NCG Top 100s Tour website here.
And then, there is Prestwick itself. As the original host of the Open Championship, it is one of the most historic golf courses in the country. Gorse, marker posts, huge bunkers, wild dunes and the railway line – it has all the hallmarks of a true links test.
Talking of the Claret Jug, if you drive a bit further south, you’ll come to two more venues that have hosted the oldest tournament in golf.
The first of those, Royal Troon’s Old Course, played host to the tournament again in 2024. With the Irish Sea down your right side for the majority of the front nine, before you turn back to face the toughest back nine in Open history, it is a proper day out!
The venue is also home to the Portland Course, which is a cracking second layout. Though with Willie Fernie and Alister MacKenzie as the men behind the design over the years, what else would you expect?
And what about the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry? Widely regarded as the best course in the region, and with one of the most famous halfway houses in the world, there aren’t many more well-known lighthouses on the planet… Trump Turnberry is also home to the King Robert The Bruce Course, which is highly rated in its own right. It adds a glorious second layout to what is a stunning venue.
There’s also West Kilbride to the north, closer to Glasgow, as the final piece to the puzzle. Another 19th-century venue, Old Tom Morris designed the original golf course, and it is a layout that has hosted the likes of the British Girls and British Seniors Ladies, along with the Scottish Girls, Scottish Ladies and Scottish Boys Amateurs.
Glorious golf resorts and stunning hotels
Of course, if you’re going to be spending a week in the region, then you need a place to rest your head. Well, what about somewhere where you can roll out of bed and on to the golf course?
There are a number of resorts in the region that feature on our NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts list, which show their class and quality.
Dundonald is one of those, and no wonder given its stunning accommodation. The luxury lodges provide a stunning space for larger groups, with a range of two-, four- and six-bedroom choices.
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The lodges are in groups of six and are laid out in circles. In the centre of each sextet of luxury lodges is a pristine putting green, designed by the same man that was behind the golf course, Kyle Phillips. It is the perfect place to spend time putting but more importantly, enjoying the environment. That sums up Dundonald perfectly.
Trump Turnberry also offers glorious accommodation for groups of all shapes and sizes. From Deluxe Rooms, Family Rooms, and Junior Suites, all the way up to the Four Rooms, Four Suites – in honour of the four Open champions. It is not just golf on offer at the resort, either.
Guests can enjoy a relaxing day in the Spa at Turnberry, or get active with horse riding, off-road driving, clay pigeon shooting and more. There is also the opportunity for some day trips, with the likes of Culzean Castle, the Isle of Arran and more in the region.
If you would prefer to stay a bit closer to city of Glasgow, but you still want to stay at a golf resort, then Mar Hall is the place for you.
The Earl of Mar Championship Course, designed by former Ryder Cup player Dave Thomas, opened in 2010. The hotel itself has an huge range of rooms and suites, while the luxury Lodges at Mar Hall offer a self-catering stay for groups of up to 10, with a range of three- and five-bedroom lodges available to rent out.
Although not technically a golf resort, the Gailes Hotel is less than 700 metres from the entrance to Gailes Links. It is a hotel that is luxurious and refined, offering the perfect place to stay. There is a restaurant and bar, along with a spa and wellness facility to relax following a tough morning on the golf course!
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NCG Top 100s Rankings
Many of the golf courses mentioned in this piece are worthy of a place in not just Ayrshire’s best courses, but also in the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list as well!
12 venues in Ayrshire make it onto our Scotland list, and it isn’t too difficult to see why – it is the best golfing region in the country!
CHECK OUT – NCG Top 100s: Ayrshire’s best courses
CHECK OUT – NCG Top 100s: Scotland’s best courses
Now have your say
Have you played golf in Ayrshire before? Have you ever had a week’s golf trip to the region? How good do you think Ayrshire is when it comes to golf? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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