Turnberry Resort's Ailsa Course in Scotland

Turnberry Resort's crown jewel is the famous Ailsa Course, a regular Open Championship host and considered one of the most scenic links in Britain. It's also synonymous with one of golf's most famous matches, the "Duel in the Sun" between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson at the 1977 Open, when Watson won by a stroke. Greg Norman won here in 1986 and Nick Price in 1994.

Located in sunny South Ayrshire, Scotland, the resort dates back to the turn of the 20th century, when vacationers would take the train down from Scotland's larger cities. Today, the course is quite different, however, as a result of it being used as a military air field during World War II. Mackenzie Ross came along and redesigned the course shortly after the war, giving it much of its present form.

The Ailsa is named for the "Ailsa Craig" volcanic rock just off shore. Locals in South Ayrshire have a familiar saying about the rock: "When you can see the Ailsa Craig, it's about to rain. If you can't, it's raining."

Turnberry's Ailsa course - hole 18

The par-4 18th hole on the Turnberry Ailsa course is a dogleg left toward the side of the clubhouse and front of the hotel.

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Turnberry's Ailsa course - hole 16 tee

A view from the tee of Turnberry's Ailsa course's 409-yard, par-4 16th hole, Wee Burn. A good straight drive is required here to leave a short iron or pitch into a well protected green.

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Turnberry's Ailsa Course - hole 9

A view from the back tee of the most famous hole at Turnberry's Ailsa course, the 454-yard par-4 ninth, Bruce's Castle.

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Turnberry's Ailsa course - hole 15

No. 15 on the Turnberry Ailsa course is a 209-yard par 3, "Ca' Cannae," with severe trouble short, right and long.

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Turnberry's Ailsa course - hole 18 bunker

From the 18th hole's fairway bunker on the left, it's 254 yards off the tee, while right of the bunker leaves 180 yards to the green.

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Turnberry's Ailsa course - hole 12 green

The 12th green at Turnberry's Ailsa course plays below the monument, and the 13th hole is in the background.

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Turnberry's Ailsa course - hole 12

No. 12 on the Turnberry Ailsa, "Monument" is a 446-yard par 4.

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Turnberry's Ailsa course - 10th hole green

The 10th green on the Turnberry Ailsa course, with the 11th tee behind out on the rocks, is guarded by a bunker in front.

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Turnberry Ailsa - 9th Fairway

An aiming stone on the ninth hole of the Ailsa course at Turnberry shows players the line from the tee.

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Turnberry's Ailsa course - hole 10

The 452-yard, par-4 10th hole, "Dinna Fouter" is one of the Ailsa's most scenic tee shots.

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Turnberry's Ailsa course - hole 16 green

The 16th green on the Turnberry Ailsa course reveals there is not much chance of leaving yourself a straight putt.

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