Glasgow Gailes
Trump Turnberry (Ailsa)
Few courses can boast such a setting, such space and such
luxury. The recent makeover of the Ailsa course (by Martin Ebert)
and the hotel has vaulted Turnberry back to golf’s top table.
Everything here is on a big scale and that sense follows you from
one hole to the next. It bristles with confidence and swaggers
from one hole to the next. The back-and-forth nature of the
opening holes might sound tame on paper, but you’ll quickly
appreciate how good they are as they slip down to the sea. Big
bearded bunkers ripple along fairways while their greenside
brethren favour the deep pothole variety, nestling under greens.
From the 5th the course opens up and one excellent hole follows
another as you head out and back to the famous lighthouse. The
new par threes (9 and 11) are outstanding.
Dundonald Links
Sitting right alongside Western Gailes, Dundonald Links is a much
younger creation. Kyle Phillips designed this low, weaving and
modern links in 2005, using the gentle and exposed dune land
to establish (and embellish) the flow of holes and embrace the
modern game. The elegant routing moves in every direction so
you can be sure wind will be a factor throughout your round. To
balance this wind you will have generous fairways to aim for…
even if the strategic bunkering will keep you in check. The key to
playing well is to have a razor sharp short game and to find the
right part of the magnificent, swaying greens. Slide off them and
you will have some interesting challenges.
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Trump Turnberry
(King Robert the Bruce)
The King Robert the Bruce may be regarded as the smaller sibling of
the mighty Ailsa alongside, but it is an impressive links in its own right.
Donald Steel redesigned the course in 2001, and he was able to use
additional land – Bain’s Hill – to add new holes. These create drama
and beauty in equal measure. Located at the farthest reaches of
the links on the coastline this is where the short par four 8th drives
from an elevated tee towards the sea and a green hidden in a gully
near the rocks. Change, however, is coming as Mackenzie & Ebert
are renovating the course and the holes around Bain’s Hill will be
reversed to make maximum use of the views to the sea. Additional
changes are being introduced elsewhere.
Glasgow Gailes
Glasgow Gailes makes up the wonderful links foursome on this
stretch of the Ayrshire coast. Tucked in beside Western Gailes,
the links dates back to 1892, with Willie Park Jr redesigning the
course in 1912. Set slightly inland – the railway line hooks around it
– this is a stern links test where accuracy is paramount. Gorse and
heather dominate, appearing constantly on the low ridges which
typify this course. They will swallow any errant shots. It makes
for a round where your judgement and nerve will be tested
constantly. Those narrow fairways will be daunting to many, but
what joy when you find them. It really is that sort of place where
you’ll find yourself holding your breath. Known for its springy
turf, its wonderful greens and its variety of holes, perhaps Sandy
Lyle said it best: “One of the world’s truly great tests of links golf.”