Ayrshire golf courses named amongst the best in the UK

It comes after magazine Golf World released their rankings of the top 100 course in the UK and Ireland.

Of those that made the cut, almost a third were located in Scotland, with four Ayrshire links making the grade - with each cracking the top 50.

The highest ranking Ayrshire course was Trump Turnberry, which was ranked as the third best in the UK and Ireland - with only St Andrews Old Course and Royal County Down rated higher.

The former open venue, owned by former American President Donald Trump, often comes in for high acclamation - and is considered one of the finest places to play golf globally.

Next on the list is a course which will be very familiar to golf fans, Royal Troon, which ranked 23rd in the list.

The venue hosted this year's final major, the Open Championship won by Xander Schauffele, only last month - with the best players in the world struggling in tough conditions on the South Ayrshire coast.

Coming only slightly behind was Prestwick Golf Club, another former Open Championship venue in Ayrshire.

The course is famous for being the "birthplace" of the competition after the first ever iteration of the event was held their back in 1860.

Despite not having held the major since 1925, the links is still considered to be one of the best in the world.

The final Ayrshire entry is located in Irvine, and comes in the form of Western Gailes Golf Club, which is ranked in 49th position.

While the course does not boast the major championship pedigree of the other local inclusions, the links is considered to be one of the most underrated in the nation.

Though it has not hosted the Open Championship itself, the venue has been used in the past by those looking to qualify for the tournament.