The Ailsa Club – Making Trump Turnberry More Than Just A World Class Golf Experience

The Ailsa Club – Making Trump Turnberry More Than Just A World Class Golf Experience

Keen golfers and casual golf fans will certainly be familiar with the Ailsa course at Trump Turnberry, host of four Open Championships that included the famous Duel in the Sun between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in 1977. When the game’s oldest major was held there for the fourth time in 2009, it looked set to be the site of one of the most memorable achievements in all of sport when Tom Watson was on the brink of winning the Claret Jug at the age of 59, only to be undone by a firm bounce approaching the 18th green and an ensuing bogey. The rest is consigned to history.

It has since undergone a fairly major redesign under the watchful eye of experienced course designer Martin Ebert, utilising more of the stunning coastline around the turn. I got to experience this first hand on a recent visit and it genuinely took my breath away – it’s no wonder it ranked number 3 on our recent Top 100 UK & Ireland course rankings. The three-hole stretch from 9-11 is one of the most dramatic you’ll find on any course around the world and the back tee on the par-three 9th, playing all of 250 yards, will certainly test the world’s best when they eventually come to play it (it cost me a brand new Pro V1 but was totally worth it).

But what many golfers may not know is that the Trump Turnberry resort not only offers some excellent golfing alternatives, but also spectacular accommodation and exhilarating off-course activities to keep you entertained for days or even weeks. The second course at Trump Turnberry is the King Robert the Bruce course and at 7,203 yards off the back tees with gorse-lined holes aplenty, it is a true championship test. It may be overshadowed by its famous rival, but as a standalone offering it provides a breathtaking experience – especially with the holes around the turn that run along the cliff top sporting views of the majestic Ailsa Craig dwarfed by the vast Atlantic Ocean. 

For lesser-skilled players or those after a faster outing, there’s the 9-hole Arran course, which combines par threes and fours of varying length to ensure you use every club in the bag. If honing your skills is the order of the day, you’ll…