The land along this coast line linking the sea shore to the fertile inland ("links") has been developed into golf courses - one after the other. From Girvan in the south to Irvine in the north, you can hardly drive along the coast road without spotting a Golf Course. You'll also find impressive inland courses and staying at Old Rome, they're all within easy reach.

Ayrshire is the birthplace of Open Golf, with Open Championship courses at Troon and Turnberry, and the site of the very first British Open at Prestwick.

Ayrshire offers a tremendous variety of golf courses, some of which rank amongst the finest in the world.

There are nearly 40 courses in Ayrshire and Old Rome is ideally located to reach them all. Some of the best, and more local courses are as opposite:

• Irvine Golf Club, Bogside, Irvine 01294 275979
• Western Gailes Golf Club, Gailes by Irvine 01294 311649
• Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club, Barassie, Troon 01292 313920
• Loch Green Golf Course, Troon 01292 312464
• Royal Troon Golf Course, Troon 01292 311555
• Portland Golf Club, Troon 01292 311555
• Fullarton Golf Course, Troon 01292 312464
• Prestwick Golf Club, Prestwick 01292 477404
• St Nicholas Golf Club, Prestwick 01292 477608
• Turnberry Golf Course, Turnberry 01655 331000
• Annanhill Golf Club, Kilmarnock 01563 521512
• Caprington Golf Club, Kilmarnock 01563 521915