A guide to golf in Ayrshire, Scotland, birthplace of the Open Championship

Ayrshire, Scotland is known for its rustic countryside and fertile land, with the occasional castle ruins around the corner. And no region of Scotland can boast three Open Championship hosts all within a 30-mile stretch of coastline like Ayrshire on the southwest coast, where the Ailsa Craig volcanic rock looms 10 miles offshore from Turnberry.

In fact, the Open Championship all began at Prestwick Golf Club in 1860, then just a 12-hole routing. Today, there's a full 18 holes, but many of the course's old world intricacies, from blind shots to the famous "Sahara" bunker on the 17th, will keep the modern player on edge.

Located just north, Royal Troon is the relevant test for today's top golfers as the area's most regular Open Championship venue.

Turnberry's Ailsa Course, which hosted the 2009 Open after a 15-year drought, is the prettiest and most modern of the bunch, thanks mostly to a course redesign after the links were used as an airfield during World War II. Today, two 18-hole courses complement Turnberry's more than 100-year-old five star hotel.

The best links outside the Open rota is Western Gailes, an Open qualifier closer to Glasgow than the other three, while Glasgow Gailes and Dundonald Links are worthy (and more affordable) solid seconds.

From Glasgow, you can also make the drive out onto the Mull of Kintyre, where legendary Machrihanish and its new neighbor, Machrihanish Dunes, offer some of Scotland's most remote links.

Getting to the golf courses of Ayrshire

Prestwick Airport (PIK) is a good option, though Glasgow Airport (GLA) receives flights from more international and long-haul destinations and is about 30 miles from Prestwick. Edinburgh (EDI) is less than two hour's drive to Prestwick.

TravelGolf.com's five best bets in Ayrshire

• Prestwick, Old Course
• Royal Troon, Championship
• Turnberry, Ailsa
• Western Gailes
• Dundonald Links

Brandon Tucker is a Senior Writer and Special Projects Editor for the WorldGolf.com Network, where he contributes not only golf and travel articles, but photo essays, videos and more. His golf travels have taken him across the U.S., including more than 50 Myrtle Beach-area golf courses, and to such destinations as Scotland, Wales, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany and Malaysia.

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.