The Open rota - Prestwick stands as the ultimate must-play, shrouded in history and magic

With champagne corks still popping and ringing praise still being showered over a certain Mr Scottie Scheffler, The Open is very much on the forefront of the minds of golfers the world over.

It has been 12 months since the fabled golfing coastline of Ayrshire in Scotland hosted the prestigious tournament, the oldest in golf, and as the dust settled on the fine spectacle put on by Royal Troon, Portrush duly stepped in to take the reins.

Many golfers around the world devise their own pilgrimages to the world's most iconic tracks, and those on the Open rota are often hot on the billing. While it is commonplace for many golf devotees to flock to the site of the most recent Open heroics, one course - an unsung hero or perhaps a sleeping giant - has emerged as the ultimate must-play destination.

And that place, of course, is none other than Prestwick.

Allow us to explain. Golf is both sport and history, interwoven delicately with tradition and custom. Golf is the living past and the future of tomorrow blended perfectly into one and it is really only this sport, above all others, that operates in such a way. What other sports allow an avid fan to quite literally walk the same turf as their heroes, or use exactly the same locker?

Golf gives the player, either new, experienced or indifferent, the ultimate sensory journey during 18 holes and pretty much the best part of a day, in and around the course.

And those looking to truly drink in golf in his purest, most natural and historic form, should look simply no further than Prestwick.

The charming Scottish town, just an hour away from Glasgow, carries an allure of fascination and mystique. It's the oldest Baronial Burgh across the ancient land, while legend has it that Robert the Bruce drank from a well in Prestwick to cure a skin ailment. In fact, Elvis Prestley touched down in Prestwick in his one and only ever visit to the United Kingdom, arriving at the town's airport during military service in March 1960. The list of intrigue goes on.

And in keeping with all of this, Prestwick golf club, the home of the first ever Open Championship in 1860, is a time capsule of the highest standard. Indeed, no course other than perhaps St Andrews Old truly comes close to matching the feeling one is bestowed upon entering the first tee box at Prestwick, welcomed kindly and traditionally by the team of starters.

Stepping foot on the property at Prestwick is akin to strolling back in time, with all the trimmings and prestige whisked presently to modern day. A stunning, postcard-old clubhouse with timeless grandeur houses endless treasures, including the original Claret Jug and the Challenge Belt - golf's one true oldest prize, prior to the jug itself later being minted.

A pre-round stroll around the plush, oak-panelled interior gives visitors the chance to take it photographs of a bygone era, while reading the hand-written letters of Old Tom Morris to the club, expressing his gratitude following the kind wishes after the passing of his son, Tommy.

When one thinks of British golf heritage and the Open rota, the mind can often overlook Prestwick due to the recency bias of the modern titans who host the tournament today; the Old Course, Royal Liverpool, Portrush etc. This however must end. Prestwick, the old gentleman of golf, is the ultimate bucket list links.

A round at Prestwick begins having taken on board wise and kindly tips from the club's long-serving starter Bobby, dressed in the club's traditional green jacket. With the eyes of the pro shop looming behind, and the fabled railway quite literally an arm's stretch away on the right, it rapidly becomes time to sharpen the senses and focus on the first tee shot ahead - it must be straight, and true, able to nibble slightly into the safer rough on the left while avoiding, at all costs, the ancient brick wall which neatly borders the encroaching train tracks.

Taking to the tee cold, with a thin iron in hand, can make for a haunting start. Those hitting a crisp tee shot will be duly rewarded with a short iron into a welcoming green, to settle the nerves.

After navigating the first and completing one of the most iconic and recognisable holes in golf, there isn't time to pinch yourself. A par 3 second awaits, testing around 170 yards and demanding utmost focus. If the golfer emerges unscathed, one is next presented with one of those most mentally demanding par 5s, boasting a huge cross bunker at the corner of a sharp dog-leg, bordered neatly by a sizeable burn.

Commitment to every shot is a necessity at Prestwick, and the guiding eyes of a caddie is very much to the benefit of enjoyment and strong scoring.

The fourth, par 4, serves as something of a steadier before iconic territory is breached once more - the famous fifth hole, par 3 'Himalayas', calling on the players to hit a blind tee shot with generously lofted trajectory, up and over railway sleepers erected on a large piece of dune land, before dropping down into a well bunkered green below. This hole can play up to 230 yards, and is not for the faint-hearted; a par feeling like pulling a golden ticket for a certain world-renowned chocolate factory.

The wild undulations, sloping edges and perilous green complexes follow a consistent theme, guiding players around the property and keeping them guessing. The routing around Prestwick isn't always abundantly clear, though there is a high degree of both charm and endearment in trusting the signage and being led around the majestic links, emerging upon the next tee box to work out the next challenge ahead.

Indeed, stepping foot across Prestwick's hallowed turf is a journey back in time, to golf's origins and how the game truly should have looked, and should be played.

This sentiment hits home after the climb to the 17th tee is reached. Here, players will look out upon the famed 'Alps' hole, and in doing so be observing a piece of living, breathing history.

The 17th stands as one of the oldest untouched holes in championship golf, anywhere on the planet. The hole formally served as the second on the very first lay-out of Prestwick, and still retains its full feature set today.

Peering out from the perfectly manicured tee, a sense of peace falls upon playing parties (regardless of how chequered the score card may be looking, by this point), as the realisation softly sinks in that this is exactly the same viewpoint and decision-making conundrum that has been bestowed upon all the greats of the game.

If Old Tom and Willie Park Sr could navigate this tee shot, then you too shall follow. The drive requires both an honest and straight shot, with full commitment into a rather narrow body of fairway, which runs after a fairly treacherous carry.

The dramatic and rugged land crashes upwards at an artful ascent, before a large Sahara bunker, dating to the origins of this masterful course, must be successfully bypassed with a blind approach into the green complex. Summiting the mound overlooking the putting surface and observing the small speckle of a white ball on the green below is a very soothing tonic indeed.

As the thrill of 17 subsides, those holding a strong score are buoyed to be greeted by a traditional Scottish links finishing hole; a short and drivable par 4 in certain weather conditions, playing at around 290yards. Picking the right line and compressing the golf ball back down towards the regal yet understated clubhouse, sets up the perfect farewell handshake that is a birdie opportunity, before being safely esconded into the 19th hole for a comforting beverage.

Prestwick is truly an experience from start to finish, and is a golf course which cannot go unticked. The club, steeped in history still remains fixated on the present, with huge renovations soon to take place within the clubhouse itself, courtesy of Thomas Johnstone architects.

The project marks a significant milestone as the club prepares to celebrate its 175th anniversary in 2026, with key elements of the refurbishment to include relocating and expanding the restaurant to provide improved views across the course, constructing a new stairway to the first floor, and upgrading and enlarging the sanitary facilities.

With the dust now settling on the Open, and Scheffler the new recipient of the Claret Jug and the eternal title of Champion Golfer of the Year, there is no better time to compile the ultimate bucket list of great links. Prestwick, without doubt, needs to be placed at the top.

Booking at tee time at Prestwick is pretty straightforward. With upcoming availability shown regularly on the club website and visitor section.