Situated in one of the most glorious regions for golf in Scotland, Kilmarnock Barassie is goes somewhat under the radar…
It is a classic links course that has a little bit of everything – great conditioning, humps, hollows, undulations, blind shots and lightning-fast greens.
Even though the course is right by the coast, you very rarely see the coastline, yet the course has bags of character with gorse and heather throughout. Throw in the typical railway line, where you will see trains running between Glasgow and Ayr on a frequent basis, and what more could you want from a links course?
History
The club was founded in 1887, but the original site at Holmes Farm was also shared with cattle, so a more suitable 123-acre, animal-free site was secured near the station in 1894. The first course at Barassie was laid out by John Allan, the professional at Prestwick St Nicholas.
The original course, despite a few in-house changes since it was first laid out in 1894, was becoming outdated and too short for steel-shafted clubs and more resilient balls, so Matthew M. Monie was called in to ring the changes in 1931. The Barassie reconstruction would take four years to complete.
It is a venue that has undergone significant change in the years since. The decision was taken to add nine new holes, partly to ensure the existing course never became outdated and partly to secure the future of a portion of land that might otherwise one day have become housing or an industrial estate.
Now, it is a 27-hole venue, with the nine original holes that did not make the cut for the Barassie Course now being used for the Hillhouse Course.
Over the years, the club has been host to a wide range of championships, which include the Boys Amateur, Girls Amateur, Jacquse Léglise Trophy, Scottish Amateur, The Women’s Amateur and the Women’s Home Internationals.
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What makes Kilmarnock Barassie special?
So special is this golfing region, it even inspired a verse from a particularly happy group of travelling golfers:
Troon and Prestwick – old and classy,
Bogside, Dundonald, Gailes, Barassie.
Prestwick St Nicholas, Western Gailes,
St Cuthbert, Portland – memory fails.
Troon Municipal – three links there,
Prestwick Municipal, Irvine, Ayr.
They faced the list with delighted smiles:
Sixteen courses within 10 miles!
Following the changes to the layout, and the addition of those nine new holes at the far end of the property, it means that Kilmarnock Barassie now has 27 holes, thus making it somewhere you can nip out for a quick nine in the evening after work on the Hillhouse!
The clubhouse also has the Walker Cup Players Lounge, a room dedicated to the four members of the club who have played in the elite amateur competition over the years. James Milligan, Gordon Sherry, Jack McDonald and Euan Walker have represented Team GB&I in the Walker Cup whilst being members at Barassie.
Where does it rank?
87th in Scotland, 12th in Ayrshire
Where is Kilmarnock Barassie?
Kilmarnock Barassie is situated on the Ayrshire coastline, in what can only be described as a golfing paradise in the west of Scotland. The club sits between Gailes and Troon, and is just inland from the western coastline of the country. There are no sea views, but there are two railway lines – one on either side of the property. The town of Kilmarnock is around ten miles inland from the venue, while the A78 – which runs from Greenock to Monkton – is close by as well. Glasgow Prestwick Airport is less than eight miles from Kilmarnock Barassie, while Glasgow International Airport – the second busiest airport in the country – is 30 miles to the northeast.
Get in touch with Kilmarnock Barassie
For more information about the club and course, visit its website or call them on 01292 313920.
You can play at Kilmarnock Barassie on the NCG Top 100s Tour this year!
- Book your spot to play at Kilmarnock Barassie on the NCG Top 100s Tour on September 28th, 2026 here.
- You can also play at Dundonald Links and Prestwick St Nicholas in our Ayrshire Autumn Swing – check that out here.
Now have your say
Have you ever had the pleasure of playing at Kilmarnock Barassie? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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