Admittedly this is more of a photo essay than a review — after all, how does one review a course like Prestwick, from which so many great golf concepts have been drawn?
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The course starts with one of the more daunting shots in golf — gorse left, out of bounds and railway tracks right. Now the hole isn’t long, but it is tough as nails and surely one of the hardest opening holes anywhere. (Above and Below)
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Needless to say it gets even more interesting as it progresses. Take, for instance, the third, the Cardinal hole. A par five where a massive bunker rests in the landing area, making the green difficult to deal with in two, despite being relatively short (480 yards). Photo is below.
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Though many find Prestwick — at 6,500 yards — too short by modern standards, the length is really a result of the final four holes, all short par fours. But there is some meat on the bone. Take, for instance, the 13th hole, a par four playing 460 yards with a green that is, well, astounding.
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As mentioned, the final group of holes are short, but that doesn’t make them boring. The 17th, the famed Alps hole where one hits a tee shot to the fairway and a blind approach to a green with a massive bunker in front of it has to be one of the most intriguing holes on the course, and one that is rarely replicated. That said, there’s talk the hole will be reworked for the new fourth course at Bandon Dunes.
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If you are interested in Prestwick, check out its website here. Cost of a round is £110 and worth every penny.
A bestselling author and award-winning columnist, Robert Thompson has been writing about business and sports, and particularly golf, for almost two decades. His reporting and commentary on golf has appeared in 
I concur with your assessment of Prestwick…an absolute delight to play…and the gorse is some of the worst I have seen anywhere…which was not a delight but such is life in the rough…
Some say the 5th hole at Devils Paintbrush is modelled after the Alps hole at Prestwick.
[...] Back in July of 2007 our editorial director Robert Thompson did a wonderful photo essay of the classic Scottish course the Prestwick Golf Club (and Home of the first Open Championship). Check it out here – Prestwick Photo Essay [...]