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| Turnberry Ailsa Course |
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Turnberry © 2006, Richard & Mary-Alice Jafolla Nothing Hidden About This Gem Colin Montgomery grew up as a teen-ager playing the great golf course at Troon and subsequently competed as a professional golfer on the finest golf courses in the world. Yet he claims Turnberry is "...the best links golf in the world." When I played Turnberry in 2000, it blew me away. I thought it was one of the finest golf courses I had ever had the pleasure of playing. Having played may golf courses since then, I still feel that way. This golf course is on my all time top 10 list. My review, unlike some others, will be very personal--my thoughts and impressions as I played it. I'm a mid-handicapper, I don't hit long balls, my short game, however, is good. (In fact, without my short game, I wouldn't have a game!) So take that into consideration as you read this review. It's more highly personal than some of the others in Golf Nook.
I was very excited about playing Turnberry. It was a weekday and there were not too many golfers on the golf course. I had no trouble getting a tee time--singles seldom do--and I decided to get a caddie. "I'll get you young Billy Campbell," the caddie-master told me, as if I would know whom he was talking about. Young Billy showed up shortly as I was warming up. A nice young man, he took my bag and escorted me to the first tee. There was a foresome of young American women getting ready to tee off with no one in front of them. Young Billy asked if they minded our playing through, which they graciously let me do. At 358 yards, the first hole is a good starting hole and I managed to birdie, it feeling good about my self, my game, and the world in general. I'm sure Young Billy thought he was with a hot-shot golfer. I quickly put that thought to rest with a sliced drive into heavy rough on number 2. After hacking my way out (of course I was trying to do too much with my recovery shot) for a double-bogie, I got down to the serious-fun business of playing this golf course. (Lesson 1: If you get into the rough, just get out!) Unfortunately it took me four or five holes to begin relying on Young Billy's advice. (Lesson 2: If you're going to hire a caddie, pay attention to him.) The first three holes are played from the clubhouse toward Turnberry Bay. I felt like a turtle working its way toward the sea as I slowly approached hole #4. Holes 4 thru 11 are played with the sea as a constant companion on the left and they are wonderful. Number 4 is a short par 3 to a green that has a severe drop off on the left and front. It's a good idea to hit and hold the green, otherwise you'll have a devilish recovery. Five is one of the more difficult holes with a Stroke Index (SI) of 3. It's a dogleg left playing 442 from the championship tees. The second shot is uphill, so take more club. Number 7 is worth a mention. It's rated the toughest on the golf course. A par 5 playing 529 from the championship tees, you'll be hitting over a creek on your drive and negotiating 6 bunkers on your way to the green. The shot to the green is uphill so, again, club up. Hole number 9 is flat-out gorgeous! One of the great holes in the world of golf like Cypress Point #16 or Pebble Beach #18. You will just love it.. The tee sits on a promontory far out in Turnberry Bay. A classic risk-reward hole, your tee shot must carry over as much water as you want to chance. It's a par 4 that plays 454 yards, so you'll be tempted to cut off a good slice. If you're driving well, take a bit of a risk because a good tee shot will get you there in two with a good chance for a birdie. Twelve takes you back "inland" to finish up with some terrific holes. Number 13 has a difficult green. Not only is it inverted--trouble if your ball falls off--it's also terraced, so you have to hit the plateau where the hole is located. Number 14 is rated second most difficult with two huge bunkers protecting the front and one in the back. Tough hole! Watch out for #16. There is a deep valley with a creek running through it and it runs smack-dab in front of the green. Young Billy told me to take out a 6 iron. I opted for a 7 and ended up short. You MUST carry this valley. My ball rolled back down the hill into the creek and was carried into the bay. I had to drop 3 and hit 4 and ended up with a double bogie. (See Lesson 2 above!) Being too long on your approach to this green is much, much better than being too short. My day at Turnberry was one of the most fun golf days I can remember. Fluffy clouds floated in a clear blue sky and the wind was, for a change, tame. The gentle breeze was enough to keep me cool but did not affect club choice. This is not typical. As with most links golf couses, the wind can completely change the way you play this golf course. Turnberry has hosted 3 Open Championsips and 4 Senior Open Championships plus a plethora of professional and amateur championships. The reason is that it is a great test of golf. It demands accuracy, length, finess, a good short game, and a clear head! If you get a chance to play this golf course, do so. You will never forget it. Golf Nook Scotland rating - EAGLE SCORECARD
Miscellaneous Information: Green Fees: For hotel residents November 1 thru April 30 - £55 May 1 thru October 30 - £105 Non-hotel residents November 1 thru April 30 - £80 May 1 thru October 30 - Weekdays - £130, Weekends - £175 N.B. You don't have to stay at the Turnberry Resort in order to play the golf course. Contacts; Golf reservations - +44 1655 334032 Hotel reservations - +44 1655 334 136 e-mail: turnberry.reservations@westin.com For What To Do All Day, please see the Ayrshire page. Be sure to visit Culzean Castle. |
