Welcome to UK-GolfGuide's page which contains feedback from site users who have played at The Westin Turnberry Resort.

Whilst UK-GolfGuide.com attempts to turf out the more unhelpful or just plain daft contributions, some may slip through. If you have played the course or hold a different opinion to those of the contributors, feel free to use the Add your Comments icon to provide a broader spread of views. If you have a gripe with the club then take it up with them directly - please don't use this facility for airing grievances!.

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Harald Hallen (Sweden) 19/07/08

How can one adequately rate a course like Turnberry? It's a unique experience, but for all that, I have some reservations.

Our party of six Swedish golfers played at Turnberry (Ailsa course) on July 17, 2008. It was a late decision to include Turnberry in our tour - in fact, it was the pro at our home club who convinced us - so we phoned to make a reservation just six days in advance. We got two tee times in the late afternoon (3.30 and 3.40 pm). The weather had looked threatening, but turned out pretty nice. No rain and only about 15 mph of wind, although the wind freshened as the day wore on.

The layout is fabulous with every hole having its own unique character. Fairways and greens were in great condition without being a truly "wow" experience (actually, I'd say the greens at Prestwick St Nicholas, which we played the day after, were better). I was surprised that the rough was for the most part not very dense and that heather and gorse didn't come into play very much.

The great disappointment of our round was the slow play. We had a party of Americans before us, and those guys apparently had no idea of the concept of letting faster parties play through. They spent inordinate amounts of time looking for their balls in the rough; they took photos of each other before, during and after play on every hole; and they generally just loitered about. The round took over 5 hours. Considering that the green fee is 160 pounds, Turnberry ought to be able to afford having course stewards who could ensure that this kind of thing does not happen.

The clubhouse is of course top class, and we enjoyed a very nice evening meal there. Our thanks go to the patient staff in the restaurant, who kept our reserved table for us although we were much delayed on the course.

Value for Money	5
Challenge	8
Off Course	10

Dan Jacobs (England) 08/04/08

A simply sensational place. We stayed in one of the 6 bedroom lodges right on the edge of the courses. This was truly superb as was the hotel, the food and the facilities - everything you'd expect from a 5 Star hotel, but to the chase - could the golf live up to it? Well it certainly did and even surpassed it - 5 Stars nowhere near enough.

We played both 18 hole courses in reasonable weather. The Kintyre is a decent enough links track lit up by 3 or 4 quite sensational holes -the short par 4 7th with a flicked approach to a green set into the cliffs and the sea followed by a dogleg long par 4 fired into the famous lighthouse from the other angle would grace any course.

But it's The Ailsa that we really all care about. I'd been given various positive reports about it, but none truly painted the picture that this really is links golf perfection. True the first couple of holes are fairly gentle but after that you could write pages on virtually every hole. The par 3 fourth is simply stunning, the famous 9th and 10th are every bit as good as you imagine they'll be while 16 and 17 are outstanding golf holes. Tiger and Co will love it.

Off course the clubhouse is terrific - you are given a locker for the duration of your stay and mine was between Nick Price's and Greg Norman's - need I say more? Sure it's expensive, but some things are worth it. Treat yourself, you won't regret it.

Value for Money	8
Challenge	10
Off Course	10

Steven Najdzionek (USA) 10/12/07

I have played golf in Scotland for over twenty years and it wasn't until recently that I actually played at the Turnberry Resort. I have played some of the top golf clubs in the world, Winged Foot, National Golf Links of America, Shinnecock, St. Andrews, Royal Troon...and many more, and I would have to put Turnberry very high on this list. It is actually sad that the word "Resort" is associated with this course, since that term tends to make players feel that the course will be very fair and forgiving. Quite to the contrary. This is a true "Championship" links golf course that just so happens to have a truly magnificent and impressive hotel. The course plays tough, the way I like it. Yes I will not necessarily score well, but if you have to get beat up by a course, this one will definitely do. If you are willing and up to paying the high price tag for this course, you will not be dissappointed.

Steven Najdzionek

NY, NY

USA

Value for Money	7
Challenge	9
Off Course	10

Alistair How (England) 20/08/07

Played in Mid August. Notably the course was quiet - I think this time of the year is reserved for American and Japanese tourists. A few induged in caddies, and there was a mix of players (our team 10, 20, 36 hcp). No one barged around and it was all very relaxed.

Stayed at the Westin on a package. Hotel 5 star, with 5 star prices, but as an indulgence this could not be beaten. As previous reviewers have mentioned it was the approach and extras that added. When playing either of the big courses you got some range balls, a valuables pouch, tees, score card and pencil and stroke saver - a nice touch. Hotel had putting greens and small pitch and put for free. Practise facilities are expansive (Colin Montgommery endorsed), but away from the ailsa, so 10 minutes needed to get to the first tee.

Initially played the Aran, a 9 hole short course built around the Kintyre. A useful warm up for what was to come. Easily completed in an hour or so. This was followed by the Kintyre on a blustery but sunny day. Not overly difficult, although wayward shots into bunkers are punished severly. Playing out backwards - no joke!Excitement starts as you head for the coast and touch on the Ailsa with a different perspective on the light house.

Then onto the Ailsa, which was played in a stiff breeze on a cold August day. Clubbing up or down by around 2 was an experience, as was keeping it on the short stuff. Every hole was a real test. Not only do you need a long drive, but you need to avoid the numerous hazards. The first real test comes at the short par 3 4th. Only a 6 iron off the tee, but on the day we played you hit towards the sea and prayed that it would float back onto the elevated green. Every hole thereafter was a delight. Around the halfway houe the sea really comes into play - luckily on shore winds, but I'd hate to think how tight this will be cut for the open in 2009. Highlight the 17th - massive par 4 requiring a strong drive and then 3 wood, only for two of us to three putt on a really difficult to read green. Only the 18th was a bit of a let down. No grandstand style finish and this felt one of the tamest holes.

All in this was links golf at its best. Great facilities, not overly commercial - Turnberry really is in the middle of nowhere. Come for the golf and the views.

Value for Money	4
Challenge	9
Off Course	10

Ian Chalmers (Scotland) 23/06/07

The handicaps in our group range from 11 to 28, so we were very impressed at how playable the Ailsa was for guys of our standard, as most of us have memories of being demoralised at other Open venues like Muirfield and Carnoustie. We managed a day where there was little wind, so conditions were great, until we were deluged with the promised rain storm over the last 3 holes. The course was just a treat - maybe a divot or two too many left by previous lazy golfers, and the greens were maybe 8/10 on the day, but otherwise wonderful. By far the most scenic of the 4 Open courses I have played. The staff were very professional and attentive. Cost is high, but it's the going rate, so you take it or leave it.

Value for Money	6
Challenge	8
Off Course	10

Dave Murtagh (England) 19/02/07

Spent 3 days at the resort last week. Absolutely fantastic,will return in the near future.Played the Kintyre on a beautiful winters day, and rate it one of the best 2nd courses I have ever played.On day 2,attempted to tackle the Ailsa, but after 4 holes in a 50mph gale, had to give up as my electric trolley had already been blown over 4 times.Returned the next day and went around the Ailsa in 3 and a half hours, a wonderful experience, despite there being 2 temporary tees at 10 and 16 due to work on the fairways.Greens were superb, bunkers were deep and sandy, but the views were sensational.The par 3 4th is a card wrecker amid some superb par 4's. The best Open course I have played, complemented by fantastic practise facilities. The starters were very friendly, as were the staff in the pro shop, and the hotel is 5 star, and has top notch leisure facilities, but pricey.Overall, a marvellous experience.

Value for Money	8
Challenge	9
Off Course	10