Western Gailes
Western Gailes is an enchanting and elegant links, and a
thriller to play. Everything about it 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. Holes move north or south in
two parallel lines between the sea and the railway line, and
over rolling dunes. These duck and dive to create all manner
of interesting shapes and a charmingly unpredictable rhythm.
The clubhouse is perched high at the midpoint, so you get
a taste for it all when you first arrive. The variety of holes
means much is asked of your game, especially
on approach play, but you will at least have
level lies to help you battle the inevitable
wind. Greens are cunningly located beyond burns (there are
three) or in pockets created by the dunes… and they have
some beautiful contours to make putting a joy. The par five
6th and par three 7th have two of the best green settings you
will ever encounter. Heather tops many dunes and wild rose
stretches below tee boxes and above the beach. If it turns out
to be the favourite course of your trip, don’t be surprised.
www.westerngailes.com
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