Lunchball
To step onto the first tee at Prestwick is to step directly into the history books. As the birthplace of the Open Championship in 1860, this Old Tom Morris design is a living museum of golf architecture that predates the concept of “fairness.” It is a chaotic, delightful romp through blind shots, massive sleepers, and shared fairways that defies modern categorization. The famous opening hole, running terrifyingly close to the railway line, sets the tone for a round where strategy often takes a backseat to survival and sheer adventure.
The course is home to some of the most influential hazards in the game, including the massive ‘Cardinal’ bunker on the 3rd and the original ‘Alps’ hole on the 17th. While the layout is too cramped and quirky for the modern professional game, it remains the ultimate “Lunchball” destination—a place where the bounce of the ball dictates your fate and the echoes of Willie Park Sr. and Young Tom Morris still linger in the dunes. It is eccentric, unrelenting, and arguably the most fun you can have with golf clubs.
Comparison: 5th (Himalayas)
Prestwick Himalayas
Prestwick Golf Club
The Dell
Lahinch
Architectural Analysis
Two of the most famous blind par 3s in existence, both embrace the quirky spirit of Old Tom Morris by asking the player to hit and hope over a massive dune.