St Nicholas was founded in 1851 — the same year as Prestwick — by artisans including Old Tom Morris, and moved to its present site on the shore south of the town in 1892. It is a genuine links along Prestwick's beach with views to Arran from every hole, firm and fast fairways, subtle greens and a run of holes by the sea that would be famous anywhere else. It is not long, but tight driving holes and the wind keep it honest; one 2026 visitor called it 'a challenge but a fair challenge', and another, having played Troon and Turnberry the same week, thought it excellent value at £110.
2026 green fees (club tariff)
| When | Per round | Fourball |
|---|---|---|
| April & October, any day | £100 | £360 |
| May–Sep, Tuesday & Friday 10.30–11.30am | £130 | £460 |
| May–Sep, Mon–Fri after 12.30pm | £110 | £400 |
| May–Sep, Sat & Sun after 2pm (non-competition days) | £110 | £400 |
| May–Sep, any day after 4pm (twilight) | £90 | £320 |
| Day ticket, Tue & Fri May–Sep | £160 | £540 |
No visitors November to March, on gents' weekend and Wednesday competition days, or before 12.30pm on ladies' Thursday competition days. Cancel more than 14 days ahead for a refund; bookings are transferable.
Hire and practice
Pull trolley £7/round (£10/day); electric trolley £20 (£25); four electric buggies £30/round (£45/day); Titleist/TaylorMade hire clubs with trolley £50/round (£70/day); caddies £55/day plus tip, by request. Two driving nets (summer), a putting green and a short-game area by the fifth.
Clubhouse
Relaxed members' clubhouse with bar and lunches; normal golf attire is fine. Prestwick Town station is about a mile away.
Who it suits
Golfers who want a proper Ayrshire links without a three-figure-plus fee; the value round on a Prestwick–Troon day; mixed-ability groups. Fourball rates make it one of the cheapest good links in Scotland per head.
