Prestwick Golf Club, Prestwick, Scotland, UK
The roar of the crowd at Troon still echoes. Just moments ago, I had witnessed the final putt, crowning a new champion at the 152nd Open Championship. The electric atmosphere, the world’s best battling it out for the Claret Jug, it was pure bliss. But as the excitement subsided, a different kind of anticipation awaited just a short drive away.
Prestwick Golf Club, the birthplace of The Open itself. Founded in 1851, Prestwick’s legacy predates even the official formation of The Open Championship itself. If you’re planning a golf trip to scotland and playing Prestwick GC, there are a few tee times that visitors can book….here’s what to expect on arrival…
Walking In / Dress Code
Before heading to a new course, I look up their dress code online. What I found for Prestwick was jaw-dropping, and I absolutely loved it. There was a dress code to enter the clubhouse, smart attire for women and a black tie and jacket for men (the experience was instantly elevated). I also don’t feel the need to say this, but remember to come prepared for rainy wether.
Once you check-in for your tee time, there are locker rooms for you to change into your golf clothes.
There are rooms in the clubhouse in which you cannot enter in your golf clothes, so keep your formal attire in the locker room during your round so you can come back and change for a post-round cigar or drink 😉
The Golf
This isn’t like any other golf course, as you tee off, a thrill courses through you – you’re about to tee off and putt on some of the original greens from 1851! Imagine the lineage of golfers who’ve walked these same paths, the putts sunk, and the birdies celebrated. Too surreal…
The infamous opening tee shot into a narrow fairway is protected by railway tracks on the right, so obviously I hit the ball as close as possible to the tracks but still managing to keep the ball in play…it turns out this is a great angle into the green…
Don’t let the historic charm fool you – Prestwick demands respect. The fairways are firm and fast, unforgiving of wayward shots. Precise shot placement is a major key, keep that in mind with such a unique design, this course had plenty of blind shots, off the tee and into the greens. I’d recommend hiring a caddie 🙂
As I walked this course, I enjoyed every moment, every bunker, every putt, and every lost ball I searched for. Being ‘star-struck’ by the course design, the ball, the swing, and the errant shots simply became a blur in the background. It wasn’t until I began the walk down the 17th hole, that I realized my round was coming to a close, I’ve never been more sad for a round to end…however, there was more to look forward to ⬇️
The Clubhouse
Greeted by a majestic clubhouse, you’ll find some of the coolest golf memorabilia at every turn. Plan to come earlier or stay later and dedicate some time to explore the nooks and crannies of the clubhouse, it truly resembles a golf museum. Personally, I think I fell in love in the “card room”.
Saying goodbye to Prestwick was tough. Having it be the first course on my Scottish golf adventures was even tougher, it set the stage for the rest of my golf holiday. Prestwick left its mark in golf history, and on me…one that I won’t forget.
Tee off into wonders!
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