The first purpose-built golf resort, constructed by the Glasgow and South Western Railway, including a first-class hotel and rail links south to Girvan and north to Ayr and Glasgow. A Westin resort with the Colin Montgomerie links golf academy. The Turnberry club was founded in 1902. The original course was designed by Willie Fernie,

winner of the 1883 Open at Musselburgh, where he edged local Bob Ferguson out of a fourth consecutive win, holing for an eagle 2 in the final hole of a play-off. His scorecard included a 10, the only time an Open winner has been in double figures. Fernie was St Andrews born, but most closely associated with the west coast club at Troon where he was professional for nearly thirty-seven years, from 1887 to 1924. By 1907 it was a recognised golfing centre.

The two Turnberry courses are named Ailsa and Arran, after the islands of Ailsa Craig 11 miles offshore, and the island of Arran. There is a local saying saying that if you can't see Ailsa Craig, it's raining, and if you can see it, then it's about to rain.

Turnberry was requisitioned during both world wars. The first occasion had little impact on the courses, but after the contruction of an aerodrome in World War II most of the Ailsa Course was returfed. Turnberry is the only one of the Open links where the sea actually comes into play, at the par 4 9th with its tee beside ruins of Bruce's Castle and a lighthouse.

The first Open played there was in 1977 on the Ailsa course, replacing Carnoustie on the rota, and witnessing the remarkable duel between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, won by the latter by a stroke. Watson's total of 269 (68,70,65, 65) is presently the lowest ever winning aggregate. Runner-up Nicklaus had matched him for each of the first three rounds, and his final score was ten strokes better than the third placed golfer. In Turnberry's second Open in 1986, Greg Norman's winning total of 280 in wind and rain was twelve strokes worse than Watson's 1977 score, despite including a round of 63.