The Ayrshire coastline is blessed with some of Britain’s classic links courses, and Western Gailes is up there with the very best. Laid out in a figure of eight, the course has the railway track running down one side and the ocean running down the other.
While the long, thin strip of linksland is typical of the west coast, the situation of the clubhouse in the middle is most unusual.
This is links golf at its very best and the back nine is as hard as anywhere when the wind picks up. It usually blows from the west and makes the 17th hole one of the most difficult par fours you will ever tackle.
History
Formed in 1897 by four Glaswegians who were fed up with playing on muddy parkland, Western Gailes Golf Club is listed in the catalogue of Simpson & Company Golf Architects.
The Scottish links venue has hosted a number of prestigious tournaments, including the Scottish Amateur Championship, which returned for the eighth time to Western Gailes in 2011, the 1972 Curtis Cup, the 1964 PGA Championship, and in 2007 was host to the European Men’s Amateur Team Championship. It is often used as a qualifying venue for the Open.
Originally, golfers used to arrive at Gailes Station on the train from Glasgow. Unfortunately, the station was closed in the 1960s but Western Gailes remains a popular destination for those who live and work in the city. The clubhouse sits proudly overlooking the links, with views across the water to the Isle of Arran beyond. It offers players the perfect setting to relax after the challenge of the famous course.
What makes Western Gailes special?
Aptly named, be prepared for a westerly wind that can be undeniably ferocious and cunning as it switches direction from a south-westerly to north-westerly. On occasions it can be soul-destroying.
A very stiff golfing test, Western is known to make golfers use every club in the bag.
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Compared to most links courses, Western has an unusual layout, with the clubhouse being located at the centre of the property. The course still runs in an out-and-back routing, but not in the true sense of 1-9 out and 10-18 back.
The first four holes head north, parallel to the railway tracks. The next nine holes head straight back along the coastline in a southerly direction, passing the clubhouse along the way, and usually playing into the stiff breeze. Then, you turn back for home, with the closing five holes heading north once more, with the railway line coming into play again.
Where does it rank?
24th in GB&I, 16th in Scotland, 3rd in Ayrshire
Where is it?
Western Gailes is located on the west coast of Scotland, a short drive from Kilmarnock and a 40 minute drive from Glasgow Prestwick airport. Gailes Links, Dundonald Links and Irvine are all within a five-minute drive in a truly glorious area for golf.
Get in touch with Western Gailes
For more information about the club and course, visit their website or call them on 01294 311649.
You can play at Western Gailes on the NCG Top 100s Tour this year!
- Register now to play in our 2024 Western Gailes event on May 7th here.
Now have your say
Have you ever played Western Gailes before? Let us know with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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