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WESTERN GAILES GOLF CLUB VIDEO

Of the many superb golf courses along the Ayrshire coast, Western Gailes provides perhaps the best of all scenarios. It is a genuine links test with all the thrills and tussles associated with a supremely natural stretch of coast. Mix in magnificent views across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran and Ailsa Craig along with the ambience of a traditional Scottish club and you too will probably become one of its many converts.

In spite of its modest length, just over 6000 yards from the visitor tees, Western Gailes, even in a slight breeze inspects every aspect of your golfing ability. If the wind rises which it inevitably will, coming from the southwest for a while and depending on the turn of the tide, swinging round to the northwest, you are faced with challenges rarely encountered on less sterling tracks.

To underline its calibre, this long strip of sandy links skirting Irvine Bay has hosted a number of prestigious tournaments including the Scottish Amateur Championship, the PGA Championship and the Curtis Cup. In 2007 it accommodated the European Men's Amateur Team Championship and is used for final qualifying when the Open is played at Turnberry or Royal Troon. It is also as a final qualifying venue for the Seniors Open.

To play over, these naturally formed links are a joy offering gently undulating fairways, meandering burns and contoured greens cannily nuzzled into the bosoms of voluptuous sandscapes. The course loops north & south for seven holes then south & north again back to the clubhouse, contrary to the traditional out & back-again links.

Along with a generous peppering of pot bunkers, heather, gorse and thick, ensnaring marran grass provide ground-level defence. The 7th is an outstanding Par 3 teeing up with views over the beach to Arran. Its green sits amenably in a gathering hollow. Six assorted bunkers are interlaced; none too obviously off the tee but eager to soak up the less than perfect, green-gripping strike. The 11th is a bold, beguiling Par 4, doglegging right and open to all weathers while the 14th, a Par 5 usually inflicts pain to the over-eager in the form of well-placed sand traps. The closing holes are flatter and perhaps less exhilarating but after all the excitement of the first 15 holes, you can live with that.

Western Gailes clubhouse is redolent of all that is good in traditional Scottish clubs. The after-golf fare is first-class; the atmosphere is relaxed and the staff make you feel most welcome. There’s no hint of stuffiness or snootiness, which can exist in some older Scottish clubs.

Photographs & text © David J Whyte 2009