The sandy turf that adorns the Ayrshire coastline is the basis for some of the purest links courses to be found anywhere in the UK and Ireland. The courses are not particularly complicated, simply utilising the astonishing natural terrain to produce golf from the top drawer.

The scene is dominated by two of the world's big hitters - Turnberry and Royal Troon, where some of the Open Championship's greatest battles have been played out. In addition to following in the footsteps of the most famous names, a golf tour in Ayrshire takes in somewhat unheralded gems like Glasgow Gailes, Western Gailes, Belleisle, and the Barassie course at Kilmarnock, all of which have helped to captivate the hearts of golfing visitors to the region.

For an unfiltered taste of the way golf should be, make an Ayrshire golf tour your number one priority.