Western Gailes

Western Gailes was founded in 1897 by a group of Glasgow golfers, and by May 1898 all 18 holes were in play. It occupies a classic strip of links on Scotland’s west coast, on the Ayrshire shore between the railway line and the sea. The course was laid out by the club’s first Keeper of the Green, Mr Morris, and the most important changes since then were made by Fred Hawtree in the 1970s.

This is an 18-hole par 71 that keeps the honest, understated character of the courses born at the end of the 19th century. The routing is a continuous anticlockwise loop from the clubhouse. Fairways roll over firm ground, greens defend themselves with subtle slopes, and deep, strategic bunkers make you decide on the tee. The wind is a constant factor, so a low ball flight and control count for more than power. Tom Doak described the 6th and 7th as truly world class.

Most of the links is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and Golf Digest ranks the course No. 99 in the world. Western Gailes rewards patience and planning, and after the round you leave with a better idea of what a traditional Scottish links really means.