Bunkers, dunes and gorse on the links at Royal Troon, looking south

Unofficial golf trip guide · Ayrshire

Where to stay for an Ayrshire golf trip

Independent guide · Last checked: 6 Nov 2026

In short

For an Ayrshire golf trip, base yourself in Troon or Prestwick, where Royal Troon, Prestwick, Western Gailes and Dundonald Links are all within about 15 minutes, then spend a night or two at the Trump Turnberry hotel to play the Ailsa and King Robert the Bruce. Book tee times before rooms: Royal Troon takes visitors only on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and says few 2027 times are left, Prestwick has no visitor times on Saturdays, and Western Gailes keeps set visitor windows. May to September is the main season, and Glasgow Prestwick Airport is about 10 minutes from Troon.

Where to stay in Ayrshire

Pick an area to see hotels and rentals there at live prices.

Live map · TroonHotels and rentals at live prices, Sun 16 May to Fri 21 May

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ABCDEF Troon1 Prestwick2 Trump Turnberry hotel3 Dundonald Links4 Barassie5 Ayr6

ACourse to play

Plan ahead Book Royal Troon first, then Prestwick and Western Gailes around it, and only then book rooms, since cancelling rounds later costs most or all of the fee.

Courses you can play in Ayrshire

  1. Fairways at Royal Troon with the clubhouse in the distance Limited visitor times

    Royal Troon Old Course

    A championship links on the south side of Troon, where The Open was played in 2024. Visitors play on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from mid April to early October, with a handicap of 20 or lower for men and 30 for women.

    Visitor times are on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in the visitor season. The club says only limited 2027 times are left and they are not on the online system, so phone or email the bookings team. The club's cancellation charges are 50% of the total at 90 days or more and 100% under 90 days, with the periods counted by reference to the booking date, as the club puts it; golfers prevented from travelling can move to a later date. Handicap limit 20 for men and 30 for women. Golfers must be 12 or over, and those aged 12 to 15 need a handicap of 12 or lower for the Old Course.

    Green fee: £430 (2027) · Course site ↗

  2. The Prestwick links along the shore, seen from the air Limited visitor times

    Prestwick Golf Club

    The birthplace of the Open Championship, laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1851, beside Prestwick Town station. Visitors have set times every day except Saturday.

    Set visitor times every day except Saturday, which is for members. Book online, by phone or by email, and pay in full when you book; a provisional booking is held for 14 days. Under the club's 2026 terms, cancelling more than 60 days ahead refunds 90%, 30 to 60 days 50%, and nothing inside 30 days, and a time can move to another date in the same calendar year. Smaller groups are joined to make fourballs. No fixed handicap limit, but golfers should know the etiquette and keep pace.

    Green fee: £360 (2027) · Course site ↗

  3. Dunes and fairways at Western Gailes Limited visitor times

    Western Gailes

    A traditional members' links on the coast just north of Barassie. Visitor windows are widest on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and summer weekday fees include lunch.

    Contact the club by phone, email or its online enquiry form. Visitor times: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 09:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 16:30; Tuesday and Thursday 14:00 to 15:00 (April to September); Saturday 15:00 to 16:30 (May to September); Sunday 14:00 to 16:00 (April to September). A 50% non-refundable deposit is due within three weeks of the provisional booking. Handicap limit 24 for men and 28 for women, and no players under 14.

    Green fee: £335 (2027) · Course site ↗

  4. Rough and dunes at Dundonald Links, with the clubhouse behind Open to the public

    Dundonald Links

    A modern links by Kyle Phillips next to Western Gailes, open to everyone and bookable online. Staying in its lodges or suites lowers the green fee.

    Book online with instant confirmation, or contact the reservations team for bookings more than a year ahead. Groups of fewer than four may be paired, and the course offers lower green fees to guests staying in its lodges and suites.

    Green fee: £255 (2027) · Course site ↗

  5. The 10th and 12th holes of the Ailsa course at Turnberry, with the lighthouse Open to the public

    Turnberry Ailsa

    Four times an Open venue, including the 1977 Duel in the Sun, with a run of holes along the cliffs by the lighthouse. Open to hotel guests and non-residents, with no handicap certificate needed.

    Open to hotel guests and non-residents, subject to availability. Book online through the resort's tee time site or through the reservations team. No handicap certificate is needed. The Ailsa is for golfers aged 16 and over; juniors can play King Robert the Bruce. Buggies on the Ailsa only with a medical certificate, driven by a caddie.

    Course site ↗

  6. Open to the public

    King Robert the Bruce

    Turnberry's second 18 hole course, next to the Ailsa, where you can drive your own buggy. A good second round on a Turnberry stay.

    Booked the same way as the Ailsa, online or through the reservations team. Buggies can be hired and driven by golfers on this course.

    Course site ↗

How tee times work

Lock in Royal Troon first, since it takes visitors only on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 April to 7 October 2027, and the club says remaining 2027 times are by phone or email only. Prestwick and Western Gailes keep set visitor windows (no Saturday visitors at Prestwick), while Dundonald and Turnberry sell times online for any day. Prestwick takes the full fee when you book, Western Gailes a 50% non-refundable deposit, and Royal Troon charges half or all of the fee if you cancel, so refunds are limited and travel insurance is worth having. Royal Troon wants a handicap of 20 or lower for men and Western Gailes 24.

Closures to know about

Royal Troon's 2027 visitor season runs from 12 April to 7 October. Prestwick plays winter rules (ball moved to the side of the fairway or played from mats) from November 2026 to March 2027. Western Gailes takes visitors on weekdays only, golf only, from 9 November 2026 to 14 March 2027. No 2027 closures were published for Turnberry or Dundonald.

A sensible plan

Five nights from a Sunday works well: four nights in Troon or Prestwick with Royal Troon on Monday, Prestwick on Tuesday, and Western Gailes on Wednesday morning with Dundonald in the afternoon. On Thursday drive about 40 minutes to Turnberry, play the Ailsa and stay the night, then play King Robert the Bruce on Friday morning and fly home from Prestwick, about 40 minutes away.

Getting there

Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) is about 10 minutes from Troon and has its own station; Glasgow Airport (GLA) is about 50 minutes away outside rush hour. ScotRail's Glasgow Central to Ayr line has stations at Barassie, Troon and Prestwick Town, right beside Prestwick Golf Club, though not every train stops at each. For Turnberry, allow about 40 minutes from Prestwick Airport.

Practical notes

Walking
Royal Troon and Western Gailes have a few buggies for golfers with a medical certificate. Prestwick has two carts at 30 for golfers with a medical certificate, and a caddie must drive. Turnberry rents buggies from 65 a round in 2026: on the Ailsa only with a medical certificate and a caddie driving, on King Robert the Bruce you drive yourself. Dundonald has GPS buggies for hire.
Caddies
Royal Troon: single caddie 75, forecaddie 100 for two golfers, 120 for three, 140 for four (no year on the page), request ahead. Prestwick: caddie 70, forecaddie 100 per group, book through the club at least a week ahead, paid to the caddie on the day; the club suggests each group takes at least one caddie. Western Gailes: suggested single caddie 80, forecaddie from 110, plus tips. Turnberry 2026: from 85 a round plus tip (30 suggested), book ahead. Dundonald: 70 plus tip, paid in cash to the caddie (no year on the page). Book caddies ahead everywhere; Royal Troon and Prestwick say they cannot be guaranteed.
Dress code
Royal Troon, Prestwick, Western Gailes and Turnberry expect tailored golf clothing; Dundonald's dress code is not published. Royal Troon bars jeans, cargo and paramilitary style trousers, cut-offs, tracksuits, T-shirts, trainers and flip-flops, and asks for jacket and tie in the Smoke Room. Prestwick and Western Gailes bar jeans, trainers, untailored shorts and round neck T-shirts, and Prestwick's Dining Room needs jacket, collar and tie. Turnberry asks for collared shirts, tailored trousers or shorts and golf shoes.
Handicap
Royal Troon: 20 for men and 30 for women, and certificates may be requested. Western Gailes: 24 for men and 28 for women. Prestwick sets no limit but prefers golfers with a handicap. Turnberry needs no handicap certificate. Dundonald limit not found.
Stay rules
Royal Troon's cancellation charges are 50% of the total at 90 days or more and 100% under 90 days (periods counted by reference to the booking date, as the club puts it); its payment terms for phone and email bookings are not published. Prestwick takes full payment (2026 terms: 90% refund more than 60 days ahead, 50% at 30 to 60 days, none inside 30 days). Western Gailes takes a 50% non-refundable deposit within three weeks of the provisional booking. Prestwick and Western Gailes give no refunds for flight or travel problems, so travel insurance is worth having. Turnberry and Dundonald payment terms not found.
Trains
ScotRail's Glasgow Central to Ayr line has stations at Barassie, Troon, Prestwick International Airport and Prestwick Town (next to Prestwick Golf Club), though not every train stops at each one, so check the timetable. Glasgow Central to Ayr takes 54 minutes on average, with up to 41 trains a day. Girvan is Turnberry's nearest station, a short taxi ride away.
Sundays
Prestwick and Western Gailes take visitors on Sundays at set times; Royal Troon does not.

When to book

  1. NowBook a room with free cancellation as close to the course as you can.
  2. Your cancellation dateKeep or cancel before it passes.
  3. 16 to 21 May 2027Your trip.

Free guide

The Unofficial Ayrshire Golf Trip Guide

Every area, every course, how tee times work and the booking dates in one place, updated every year.

Ayrshire golf trip questions

How much does it cost to play Royal Troon?

In 2027 the Old Course costs 430 GBP per golfer (340 for PGA members) and the Portland Course 140. Visitor times run from 12 April to 7 October 2027, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays only.

Can visitors play Prestwick Golf Club?

Yes, at set times every day except Saturday. From May to September 2027 a round costs 360 GBP from Monday to Thursday and 395 on Friday and Sunday, and you pay in full when you book.

What handicap do I need to play Royal Troon and Western Gailes?

Royal Troon asks for 20 or lower for men and 30 for women, and may ask for a certificate. Western Gailes allows up to 24 for men and 28 for women. Prestwick has no fixed limit, and Turnberry needs no certificate.

Where should I stay for a golf trip to Ayrshire?

Troon or Prestwick puts you within about 15 minutes of Royal Troon, Prestwick, Western Gailes and Dundonald. Add a night or two at the Turnberry hotel for the Ailsa, or stay in the Dundonald lodges if you want lower green fees there.

Can I play Turnberry without staying at the hotel?

Yes. Tee times on the Ailsa and King Robert the Bruce are open to non-residents, subject to availability, but the resort's lower golf rates only apply when you book golf together with a hotel stay. The Ailsa is for golfers aged 16 and over.

Can I get around an Ayrshire golf trip by train?

Partly. The Glasgow Central to Ayr line has stations at Barassie, Troon, Prestwick Airport and Prestwick Town, next to Prestwick Golf Club, though check the timetable as not every train stops at each. Western Gailes, Dundonald and Turnberry are easier by car or taxi.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19

Photo credits