Course:
Turnberry (Ailsa), Scotland, Hole 9
Par:
Par 4 (Par 5 from Red Tees)
Length:
Blue (Champ Tees): 415 metres / 454 yards
White (Tournament): 395 metres / 432 yards
Yellow (Trophy): 334 metres / 365 yards
Red (Ladies): 344 metres / 376 yards
Handicap:
Hcp 7
Designer:
Philip Mackenzie Ross
Description:
The ninth is the first of the two real signature holes of Turnberry’s Ailsa Course, with the lighthouse on the left hand side and is probably one of the best and most photographed golf holes in the world. The back tees sit on a slim finger of land that nearly departs the ground for the sea. From the back tees, a nearly 200-yard carry is required to a fairway that slopes both right and left. It is an awkward tee shot as you drive more than 200 yards over the rugged shoreline and cannot see the fairway and also the ball tends to kick away. For those not making the 200-yard carry, deep rough and rocks are waiting. The fairway is becomes narrower near the green and there are no bunkers on this hole. The fairway is framed by sand dunes and flanked by craggy rocks. The green is huge and more or less in a bowl. Missing the green will compound the players’ problems as chipping from the mounds and hollows surrounding it is no easy task. The remains of the castle of Robert the Bruce—Scotland’s king from 1306–1329— and the world-famous picturesque Turnberry lighthouse can be seen from the 9th green and 10th tees. In advance of The 2009 Open Championship, Turnberry’s Ailsa Course has undergone a number of adjustments designed to ensure that, as one of Britain’s finest links, it continues to challenge modern professionals. However, hole 9 has not been changed! It is constantly regarded as one of the best and most famous golf holes in the world and it is listed as one of the 1001 golf holes you must play before you die by Jeff Barr.
Map:
Turnberry (Ailsa), Scotland, Hole 9
Par:
Par 4 (Par 5 from Red Tees)
Length:
Blue (Champ Tees): 415 metres / 454 yards
White (Tournament): 395 metres / 432 yards
Yellow (Trophy): 334 metres / 365 yards
Red (Ladies): 344 metres / 376 yards
Handicap:
Hcp 7
Designer:
Philip Mackenzie Ross
Description:
The ninth is the first of the two real signature holes of Turnberry’s Ailsa Course, with the lighthouse on the left hand side and is probably one of the best and most photographed golf holes in the world. The back tees sit on a slim finger of land that nearly departs the ground for the sea. From the back tees, a nearly 200-yard carry is required to a fairway that slopes both right and left. It is an awkward tee shot as you drive more than 200 yards over the rugged shoreline and cannot see the fairway and also the ball tends to kick away. For those not making the 200-yard carry, deep rough and rocks are waiting. The fairway is becomes narrower near the green and there are no bunkers on this hole. The fairway is framed by sand dunes and flanked by craggy rocks. The green is huge and more or less in a bowl. Missing the green will compound the players’ problems as chipping from the mounds and hollows surrounding it is no easy task. The remains of the castle of Robert the Bruce—Scotland’s king from 1306–1329— and the world-famous picturesque Turnberry lighthouse can be seen from the 9th green and 10th tees. In advance of The 2009 Open Championship, Turnberry’s Ailsa Course has undergone a number of adjustments designed to ensure that, as one of Britain’s finest links, it continues to challenge modern professionals. However, hole 9 has not been changed! It is constantly regarded as one of the best and most famous golf holes in the world and it is listed as one of the 1001 golf holes you must play before you die by Jeff Barr.
Map:
Pictures:
(all data as of September 2009)
