Golf

Prestwick Golf Club. Tom Morris helped design this challenging Ayrshire coastal links course, which saw the birth of the British Open Championship in 1860. The first hole is reputed to be among the most challenging in Scotland, since the railway line runs along the length of the hole. But it doesn't get any easier after that. Some of its bunkers are especially threatening, and the bumps at the 5th are high enough to be called the Himalayas. Prestwick has excellent, fast rail links with Glasgow. There are a limited number of tee times on Saturday afternoon. 2 Links Rd., Prestwick, South Ayrshire, KA9 1CG. 01292/477404; www.prestwickgc.co.uk. Apr. and Oct., £160 weekdays, £210 weekends; May–Sept., weekdays £190, weekends £225; Nov.–Mar. Mon.–Sat. £110, Sun. £145.

Trump Turnberry. One of the most famous links courses in Scotland, the main course here is the iconic Ailsa Course, which is open to the waterside elements, and the 9th hole requires you to hit the ball over the open sea. The British Open was famously hosted here in 1977, and again in 1986, 1994, and 2009. A second course, the King Robert the Bruce, has an 11th hole that overlooks a lighthouse and Ailsa Craig; it redesigned the old Kintyre and Arran courses. Trump Turnberry Resort, Maidens Rd., Turnberry, South Ayrshire, KA26 9LT. 01655/331000; www.turnberryresort.co.uk. Ailsa: Dec.–Mar. weekdays £175, weekends £200; Apr. and May weekdays £200, weekends £250; June–Oct. weekdays £325, weekends £375; Nov. Tues.–Thurs. £200; Fri.–Mon. £250. King Robert the Bruce: Dec.–Mar £70; Apr. and May £90; June–Oct. £120; Nov. £90.