Travel to the West of
Scotland and walk in the
footsteps of legends of the
great game at Western Gailes
Golf Links.
Since golf was first played in 1427, Scotland has long since
been regarded as its home and a sporting mecca for lovers
and players of this great and ancient game.
Founded in 1897 Western Gailes Golf Club lies between
Irvine Bay and the railway on Ayrshire’s exceptional stretch of
links coastline.
The course itself is a truly magnificent classic links golf
challenge with gently undulating fairways and well protected
greens. The 14th hole or ‘Whins’ is a superb example of
the challenges at Western Gailes Golf Course, although in
prevailing wind the hole requires a well-placed tee shot and
accurate approach shot to a long narrow green guarded by
pot hole bunkers.
Kevin Markham describes the course “as an enchanting and
elegant links, and a thrill to play. Everything about is has an
air of quality and the tee boxes perched up high above the
beach and Irvine Bay promise stunning views of both the
holes around you and the Isle of Arran to the West”.
Western Gailes Golf Club is certainly Scotland’s original
“hidden gem.” Large dunes, cunning burns, fast greens, and
terrific views of the Isle of Arran combine to make Western
Gailes a beautiful challenge. The Western Gailes layout, with
the clubhouse in the middle of the 2-holes-wide linksland,
offers an interesting twist on the traditional out-and-back
design.
The links at Western Gailes Golf Club plays hard and fast, but
the Western Gailes clubhouse should be played slowly, as
it is a classic with one of the great locker rooms, and a cozy
Smoke Room. Upstairs is a memorable club museum, with
artefacts and photographs from Western Gailes’ celebrated
past.
The reputation of Western Gailes as one of the game’s
finest and more exacting courses has spread worldwide as
evidenced by its numerous visitors from around the world
including golfing legends from this and the last century.
The great Harry Vardon arrived at Western Gailes in June 1903
celebrating his fourth Open victory. In 1923 its attractions
were being lauded by the then US Open Champion Gene
Sarazen who played the course with three other outstanding
professionals.
Greats from the second half of the 20th century such as Gary
Player, Tom Watson and Tony Jacklin have also visited, while
from the modern game Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy and Bubba
Watson have all tested their mettle over this classic links
course.
Volume 4 • Issue 43
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