Western Gailes – Unique Layout

Western Gailes is located on the Ayrshire coast, where many of the best golf courses in Scotland, like the Royal Troon and Turnberry are located and is certainly worthy of their company. Western Gailes Golf Club, founded in 1897, sits on a narrow strip of land wedged between the Irvine Bay and railway tracks. It is just four miles from Glasgow Airport and is one of the finest true links of Scotland.

The course measures 6899 yards from the championship tees and has hosted the Curtis Cup, PGA Championship, seniors and prestigious Scottish Amateur Championship. Western Gailes is also one of the final qualifiers when the Open is played at Turnberry or Royal Troon. The clubhouse boasts of magnificent views the Arran Hills and the Ailsa Craig. The sea, the tracks and the wind all play a major role in the game at Western Gailes. Unlike other seaside links, Western Gailes has the clubhouse in the center of the golf course.

The wind here is usually south-westerly or north-westerly, blowing off the neighboring Firth of Clyde. Any variation adds a new challenge to the game already a trial with undulating terrain and finely contoured greens that are surrounded by sand dunes that run along the coast from the 5th to the 13th holes. The out of bounds wall that runs from the 14th onwards and the numerous pot bunkers as well as the three meandering burns add elements of variety and challenge to the game.

The first four holes head north parallel to the railway tracks. The next nine head south along the coast going past he clubhouse. The remaining five head northward again, towards the club house and along the tracks. There are seven holes to the north of the club house and eleven to the south. The holes are varied and the fairways undulate gently occasionally traversed by the three burns that meander through the course. The tees are cleverly placed, some protected by the burns and others are in hollows guarded by sand dunes.

The clubhouse has a very informative museum in the Gallery exhibiting the history of golf and of Western Gailes.

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