Western Gailes Golf Club

Western Gailes is a traditional and truly beautiful links course, tucked between the sea, the dunes and the railway track, just 15 minutes north of Prestwick. It has a unique layout feature: the clubhouse sits in the middle of the course rather than at the start and finish, as is common at most links. You cross the railway to reach the parking lot and clubhouse, and from there the adventure begins. The opening four holes head north, generally downwind, allowing you to ease into the round. Then comes a spectacular stretch of 9 holes running along the sea, with fairways often angled against the prevailing wind. This is challenging golf, reminiscent of nearby Royal Troon, but also incredibly scenic. Elevated tees give you wide views of the coastline, while the holes themselves are beautifully tucked into the dunes. It’s one of the best 9-hole stretches of links golf I’ve ever played. The final five holes (14–18) usually play with the wind at your back, giving you a chance to finish strong. The course underwent a renovation during the COVID period by Mackenzie & Ebert, and I think they did an excellent job. My only minor comment is that I personally prefer the look of the old riveted bunkers to the new style, but ultimately, bunker placement matters more than bunker aesthetics. A final note: Western Gailes is a very traditional club. Gentlemen are required to wear jacket and tie when entering and leaving the clubhouse, so don’t forget to pack them. Tradition aside, this is a world-class links and a must-play if you’re in Ayrshire.

Played on the hottest day of the year so far where the views are spectacular. The course has a lot of variety however only two par fives. They have done some modifications which will improve the 18th hole. A bit annoying when three of our group 'lost' their ball off the tee from perfectly struck drives for it never to be seen again despite added search time- it still remained a mystery in the bar later.

Western Gailes GC has one of the best clubhouses in Scotland. Unique are the changing rooms with still original wooden lockers from the early 20th century. The sixth hole is great. The twice-broken par five is one of Scotland's best holes. The passage from the fifth to the thirteenth hole, played in one direction along the coast, is superb. This location is unique. Western Gailes is separated by a railway from two other great links, Gailes Links and Dundonald. To the south Western Gailes is adjacent to the 27-hole Kilmarnock GC, which in turn is joined by the courses at Troon.

an amazing true and pure links. A great course between dunes, hollows and deep bunkers. The meal was included in the gree-fee. Outstanding hospitality from the pro-shop, the waitresses and specially Fred the starter.

This is my type of place. Links golf at its rawest and most exciting and we played it in perfect light in the hours before dusk.

A few miles from the exulted turf of Troon and Prestwick, Western Gailes is over the railway track from Dundonald - 100 yards forward geographically but 100 years backwards in its style.

And I write that as a huge compliment. This is a club which oozes tradition on and off the links.

The wooden doors of the lockers in the long-established changing rooms give an early clue to the long history of a club founded by Glasgow businessmen.

Ditto, the bar area where it can be imagined the drinking and post-round chatting of those with their names on the wooden honours boards.

Western Gailes has two key defences - the wind and the rough. It was designed on a slither of land between the railway and the beach and, consequently precision play is required to reap rewards.

These great links really come into their own from the fifth onwards with a run of seaside holes with the wind into the face.

With beach views and the Isle of Arran across the bay, the challenge is set with a par-four of nearly 500 yards with dunes on either side.

The sixth would be an incredible par-five with the wind but is mesmerising against it, as its fairway bends to the right from the tee with dunes covered in gorse on one side and a bunker and hefty undulations on the other.

If that weren't crazy enough, the seventh is a downhill 200-yard par-three with a dune and sandscapes to the left and rear and barely any clear land in front of the putting surface. It felt like an exaggerated version of Lahinch.

The view from the 14th tee is one of the most stunning I have seen on a golf course.

This par-five plays with the mind, with a considerable carry from the tee, the railway line to the left and bunkers lurking across the fairway.

We applied to join Silloth on the day we played it for the first time. If we hadn't, I might well have been tempted to ask about memberships at Western Gailes.

Yes, it is that good!