Where to Play in The West

Ailsa Course, Turnberry,

The scene of several Open Championships the most memorable being the great Watson v Nicklaus head to head in 1977 – ‘the Duel in the Sun’ and the most recent being 2009 when Tom Watson looked like he might hold the Claret jug again! The magnificent Ailsa course and sister Kintyre course offer breathtaking views over Turnberry Bay and out to the iconic Ailsa Craig.

The Ailsa is set for a major refurbishment at the end of this year in time for summer 2016. Presently rated in the top 20 golf courses in the world, the courses are only available to members and hotel guests. Ailsa 6408yds sss 71 Kintyre 6276yds sss 69

Barassie (Kilmarnock Golf Club),

The course was built in 1877 by the merchants of nearby Kilmarnock. The links resembles Prestwick not least for the marvellous compactness of design. The Gailes burn (stream) is a persistent hazard throughout the round. New holes have been introduced to the north of the course to add greater yardage but there is a feeling of consistency throughout. Barassie has hosted the final qualifying event for the Open Championship when the competition is held in Ayrshire and it has a well-deserved reputation for having some of the best kept greens in the country. It is also a Scottish Amateur Championship venue.

Dunaverty Golf Club,

This hidden gem is located by the village of Southend in a glorious setting on the south coast of the Kintyre peninsula.

The course is a fine Par 66 18 hole, natural links, extending to 4,799 yards. High and low handicappers alike will enjoy its testing layout, the springy turf on the undulating fairways and arguably one of the finest set of greens in Scotland.

Spectacular views over the landscape, Sanda Island to the south, Ailsa Craig and Ayrshire to the east and Northern Ireland to the south west, will add to your enjoyment of this challenging and exceptionally well maintained course.

Dundonald Golf Links,

The West coast of Scotland is famous for its stunning championship links and Dundonald Links sits right up there alongside the very best of them. Opened in 2003, Kyle Phillips designed a modern day classic links which has the feel of a course 100 years older and offers challenges and enjoyment in equal measure.

Formerly known as Southern Gailes, Dundonald Links is a challenging, but extremely rewarding links course in pristine condition. You will especially enjoy the back nine and its spectacular views with the sea making an appearance on several holes. 6725 yards and sss74

Gailes Links,

Previously known as Glasgow Gailes, Gailes Links was rebranded in 2014. It is a top rated world championship links located near Open venues at Turnberry and Royal Troon in Ayrshire. Gailes Links Course which has hosted major championship tournaments was designed by Willie Park of Musselburgh. Gailes was opened in 1892 by Glasgow Golf Club the 9th oldest golf club in the world.

Its west coast setting and fabulous condition makes it ideal for summer and winter golf in Scotland. It is simply traditional links at its best. 6535 yards sss 72

King Robert the Bruce Course, Turnberry,

Formerly the Kintyre Course, the King Robert the Bruce Course is set to re-open in 2017 as the second course at Turnberry, following the success of Mackenzie and Ebert’s changes to the Ailsa Course.

Machrihanish Dunes Golf Links,

Designed by David McLay Kidd, who is responsible for the internationally acclaimed Bandon Dunes in Oregon, this breathtaking links has been built on a Site of Special Scientific Interest. (SSSI). It is set hard against the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, and follows the natural terrain, with 6 tees and 5 greens sitting on the ocean’s edge.

Since opening in 2009, the golf links at “Mach Dunes” have received numerous recognitions as one of the great golfing experiences in Scotland,  including awards for excellence in overall experience, service, sustainability and of course–the quality of the golf course!

The 7,082 yard, 18-hole links course flows effortlessly to, from and along the sea, inviting you to step back in time to the days when Old Tom Morris laid out the neighboring links (Machrihanish Old) and Willie Campbell plotted the Machrie Golf Links on the nearby island of Islay – visible from Machrihanish Dunes. The 18-hole journey features no less than six greens and five tees at the ocean’s edge.

Machrihanish Golf Club,

Tom Morris laid out the course in 1876 and it is no surprise why he chose this spot of outstanding beauty with naturally dramatic fairways and undulating greens. It has an exceptional first hole which requires the round’s opening shot to carry the Atlantic! A tough start, to say the least, particularly if the fearsome wind is against you but a thrilling start to your round!

It is a varied test for the competent golfer, the layout is not just a predictable nine out, and nine back. The classic links holes, apart from the 1st, are the 5th, another par four with its fairway like an elephant’s graveyard, the 10th, a clever dogleg par five and the 15th, a one shotter with real difficulty if the elusive green is missed from the tee.

The unique quality of the turf is much admired – sandy but yet rich and springy. The greens are large and sculptured and each hole is unique enough to be remembered long after your round, particularly the 1^st!!

This is also a very hospitable club to visitors, rounding off what will be an experience to be missed! Logan Air provide a day service from Glasgow with green fees, lunch and bus transfers included.

Prestwick Golf Links,

Hosted the 1st Open Championship in 1860. This historic golf links retains many of its original characteristics and eccentricities and still constitutes a major challenge to the modern day golfer with its exposure to the elements, blind shots and devilishly small greens. It shares a boundary with Royal Troon, the 2016 Open Championship venue.

Prestwick Golf Club is a relaxed and friendly club that enjoys welcoming golfers from all around the world. Visitors are encouraged to use their temporary membership to its full capacity, and enjoy the full lunch in the historic Dining Room or a snack in the relaxed Cardinal Room. 6544yds sss 72

Royal Troon Golf Course,

Established 1878 but not on the Open circuit until 1923. It is now a regular and popular venue and hosted the 2016 Open.

Royal Troon is undoubtedly one of the best links courses in Scotland. It is a challenging test of golfing ability. With the wind to contend with, and deep rough interspersed with gorse and broom, accurate shot making is essential. Players should make their scores on the outward nine, as the prevailing north-westerly wind can make the back nine extremely difficult. Its many renowned golf holes include ‘the postage stamp’, famous the world over.

Shiskine Golf Course, Isle of Arran,

Set in magnificent scenery on the west coast of Arran, overlooking the Kilbrannan sound with splendid views to the Mull of Kintyre, this challenging and picturesque 12 -hole course truly is one of the hidden gems of golf.

Each of the twelve holes has its own particular charm but you must also be prepared to be accosted by the abundance of wild flowers and birds that will attempt to distract you.

A brand new Clubhouse opened in 2010 and warmly welcomes guests from all nationalities through its doors to sample the fresh local produce on offer. The friendly members are so very proud of the course and take great pleasure in sharing it with guests!

Shiskine has achieved the distinction of being ranked as one of the top 100 courses in Britain in recent years.

Southerness Golf Club,

This is a challenging championship links on the Solway Firth designed by MacKenzie Ross. It could easily be described as Scottish golf’s forgotten gem. Those who have played it know the courses merits when it comes to being ranked among the best in the country but there are many who probably wont know about Southerness due to its geographical location.
Renowned for its tough par-4s, eight of which measure in excess of 400 yards, it has hosted the Scottish Amateur Championship and Scottish Stroke-play Championship in recent years.

The Carrick Golf Course, Loch Lomond,

Attached to the luxurious  Cameron House Resort in the breathtaking Loch Lomond, the Carrick Course offers challenge, variety and playability not to mention a stunning setting for your 18 holes! These factors have been carefully integrated into the design to ensure an exciting and enjoyable golf experience for golfers of all abilities.

The course commands unparalleled views across Loch Lomond with 9 holes in the Scottish Highlands and 9 holes in the Scottish Lowlands.

Prepare yourself for an epic journey of stunning greens, majestic highland backdrops, brilliantly peppered with bunkers and of course the world’s most beautiful water hazard – the great loch itself.

Tobermory Golf Course, Isle of Mull,

This charming nine-hole golf course enjoys a wonderful location on a headland overlooking the Sound of Mull towards the mainland of Scotland. The present heath and heather course was designed by David Adams and built in 1935 on a superb site.

It is acknowledged as one of the most scenic in Scotland and it is a challenging course which is beautifully maintained, offering a real test to golfers of any standard – witness the fact that it has never been played to par! There is a warning on the course that the scenery will greatly affect your game – see for yourselves!!

This is a pay and play course and green fees can either be placed in the honesty box or you can purchase your green fees from the local hardware store, which just adds to the charm of the experience!

Western Gailes Golf Course, Ayrshire,

This top class links has been an Open Championship final qualifying venue when Royal Troon has hosted the Open. A very hospitable Club with an interesting history and an impressive traditional links. Many of our clients are now rating this their favourite experience on the west coast. It remains fairly exclusive only allowing visitors on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays and you can enjoy the full Western Gailes experience with a complimentary lunch on midweek visitor days! 6640 yards sss 74.