The birthplace of The Open Championship — Old Tom Morris's quirky, blind-shot Ayrshire links that hosted the first Open in 1860, and welcomes visitors today. The course, its history, how to play it, and the Ayrshire golf coast.
Prestwick is where it all began. This Ayrshire links staged the very first Open Championship in 1860, hosted the first twelve, and held 24 Opens in all — more than anywhere except St Andrews — before the modern game outgrew its quirks in 1925. Old Tom Morris laid out the original course, and much of that old-world character survives: blind shots over towering dunes, a stone boundary wall, the huge Cardinal bunker and the famous 'Alps' hole. Best of all, unlike some historic clubs, Prestwick genuinely welcomes visitors.
Here's the course and its history, how to play it as a visitor, the season, and how it fits a trip along the Ayrshire golf coast.
Where
Prestwick, Ayrshire — on the Firth of Clyde coast, beside Royal Troon
Course
One historic links (par 71), laid out by Old Tom Morris from 1851
Nearest airport
Glasgow Prestwick (PIK) ~5 min; Glasgow (GLA) ~40 min; train to Prestwick Town
Best time
Visitor season Apr–Oct; reduced winter play
Access
Members' club, but visitors welcome most days (Sat members-only)
The Open
Host of the first Open (1860) and 24 in total; last in 1925
Old Tom Morris (original layout from 1851; extended to 18 holes 1882) · 1851 (18 holes from 1882) · 18 holes · Historic links · par 71
Birthplace of The Open; host of the first Championship in 1860 and 24 in total
Prestwick is a living museum of championship golf — and a hugely enjoyable, characterful round. Old Tom Morris laid out the original twelve holes in 1851, and it grew to eighteen in 1882; the modern links still runs to a walkable par 71 full of the quirks the pros abandoned a century ago. The 1st, 'Railway', hugs a wall and the railway line off the tee; the 3rd, 'Cardinal', is defended by an enormous sleeper-faced bunker; and the 17th, 'Alps', asks you to fire a blind approach over a giant dune to a hidden green — one of the oldest holes in tournament golf.
This is old-school links golf: blind shots, rollercoaster greens, the Pow Burn winding through the property, and the hills of Arran across the Firth of Clyde. You play it for the history and the fun as much as the test — bring a caddie or a good playing partner and enjoy working out the lines.
The birthplace of The Open
The first Open Championship was played at Prestwick on 17 October 1860, contested over three rounds of the then 12-hole course and won by Willie Park Sr. Prestwick ran the Championship alone for its first years and hosted the first twelve Opens, later sharing the rota with St Andrews and Musselburgh. In all it staged 24 Opens — second only to St Andrews — the last in 1925, after which the crowds and the course's blind, quirky holes made it impractical for the modern Championship. That history is the reason a round here feels like walking through the origins of the game.
How to play Prestwick (visitor access)
Prestwick is a members' club that genuinely welcomes visitors — you don't need a connection, just a booking. Visitor tee times are offered most days, with Saturday reserved for members (and some limited availability midweek); there are set visitor windows each day. The club prefers a recognised handicap and expects visitors to know the etiquette and keep pace, but the welcome is warm. Book direct and reserve well ahead for summer; a caddie (bookable in advance) is money well spent for the blind lines. Green fees are a premium championship-links rate that varies by season, so check the club's current price.
When to go
Prestwick's visitor season runs roughly April to October, with reduced-rate winter play. May to September brings the long Scottish daylight and the best chance of firm, fast links turf, though the Ayrshire coast can serve up wind and rain any month — pack for it. Late spring and early autumn are quieter and often the sweet spot for a visitor.
Getting there
Prestwick is one of the most accessible great links in Scotland. Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) is literally minutes away, and Glasgow Airport (GLA) about 40 minutes; there's a direct train from Glasgow Central to Prestwick Town station, a short walk from the club. It's an easy base on the Firth of Clyde coast, with plenty of accommodation in the town and nearby Ayr and Troon.
How to play it (the Ayrshire coast)
Prestwick is the historic heart of the Ayrshire golf coast, one of the great links clusters anywhere. It shares a boundary with Royal Troon, the Open venue right next door, and Turnberry is about 40 minutes down the coast, with Western Gailes and Dundonald Links close by too. String several together for a links week, or add a run north to St Andrews in Fife for the full Scottish pilgrimage.
What to pack
The kit this trip demands
Prestwick is exposed, walking links golf on the Ayrshire coast — pack a proper Scottish links kit and expect the wind:
Yes. Prestwick is a members' club but genuinely welcomes visitors — you just need a booking. Tee times are offered most days, with Saturday reserved for members. The club prefers a recognised handicap and expects good etiquette and pace of play. Book direct and reserve well ahead for summer; a caddie is worth booking for the blind holes.
Why is Prestwick important in golf history?
Prestwick is the birthplace of The Open Championship. It hosted the first Open in 1860 (won by Willie Park Sr), staged the first twelve, and held 24 Opens in total — more than any course except St Andrews — with the last in 1925. Old Tom Morris laid out the original course.
Why doesn't Prestwick host The Open any more?
The last Open there was in 1925. The course's old-fashioned character — blind shots, huge dunes and a tight, walled layout — plus the space needed for modern crowds and infrastructure made it impractical for the Championship as it grew. That same character is exactly why it's such a fun, historic round today.
What are Prestwick's most famous holes?
The 1st, 'Railway', runs tight along a wall and the railway line; the 3rd, 'Cardinal', is guarded by an enormous sleeper-faced bunker; and the 17th, 'Alps', plays a blind approach over a towering dune to a hidden green — one of the oldest holes in championship golf.
How do you get to Prestwick?
Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) is right beside the course, and Glasgow Airport (GLA) is about 40 minutes away. There's a direct train from Glasgow Central to Prestwick Town station, a short walk from the club, on the Ayrshire coast beside Royal Troon.
