Ayr Road, Gailes,
nr Troon, Ayrshire KA11 5BF
Office
+44 (0)1294 314 000Pro shop
+44 (0)1294 314 000Fax
+44 (0)1294 314 001Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
David Ross Nicol (Head PGA Professional).The Course:
18 holes. Links course. Relatively flat terrain - easy to walk.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland and rural countryside.
Designer:
The short-lived (and never to open) Southern Gailes Golf Club was completely redesigned by Kyle Phillips in 2002, and re-opened as the Dundonald Links in 2005.
55.587122
-4.649280
12 miles N of Ayr
From the A78 one mile south of Irvine, exit at the Newhouse Interchange (Irvine A737). At roundabout (top of exit ramp) follow direction Town Centre / Harbourside. After 150 yards at next roundabout take first exit, direction Dundonald. After o.7 miles golf is on your right.
Dundonald Links: golf was originally played on this site as far back as 1911, but at the outbreak of World War II the course went into a long period of dormancy. Slated at one stage to re-open as Southern Gailes Golf Club in 2002, the new course in fact opened for play in 2005 as the Dundonald Links ... at the time (though no longer) a coastal sister course to the revered inland Loch Lomond Golf Club.
Kyle Phillips' skilful design certainly put Dundonald back alongside the west of Scotland's treasure-trove of coastal links courses ... even though the site here didn't include the best of the area's natural duneland. Occupying what was originally relatively flat terrain, the layout now benefits from gently undulating fairways as you thread your way through the dune-like mounds and gorse bushes.
Dundonald contains all the attributes of a classic links layout. Strategically located pot bunkering is much in evidence around the greens. Neatly trimmed water ditches also play their part in the course's defences, especially guarding approach shots into the long par-5 18th green.
In true links fashion, the large undulating greens are flanked by an array of bunkers and slick run-off areas. Among an excellent collection of short holes, the par-3 11th and par-3 15th both use deep pot bunkers to up the "intimidation factor" as you look from tee to green.
Separated from the seashore by Western Gailes Golf Club, and flanked by Gailes Links to the north and Kilmarnock Barassie to the south, Dundonald offers only occasional glimpses of the sea. In keeping with its neighbours, it does however lay down a fair and challenging test of golf, never more so than when the wind is blowing.
Stay&Play at Dundonald: luxury onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance. Proof of handicap may be requested.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Players generally walk this course. Caddies available (if pre-booked).
Excellent
Dundonald (meaning Fort Donald) took its name from a nearby hill, on which ancient fortifications date back to the period 500-200 BC. Occupying roughly the site of today's Dundonald Links, the Dundonald Gailes Golf Club was home to a course here between 1911 and 1936. The neighbouring Western Gailes GC and Glasgow (Gailes) GC (now called Gailes Links) also had memberships mainly comprising wealthy Glaswegians wanting to play golf on the Ayrshire coast.
The Dundonald Gailes course was converted to military use during World War II. After many years lying dormant after the war, work finally got underway in 1999 to relaunch the course as Southern Gailes Golf Club.
Just prior to Southern Gaile's grand re-opening in 2001, the course was snapped-up by Lyle Anderson, the Arizona-based owner of Loch Lomond Golf Club, with the purpose of providing Loch Lomond's global membership with a traditional links challenge. The course underwent a further period of closure and redevelopment, while a completely new design by Kyle Phillips was created. As a sister course to Loch Lomond the Dundonald Links eventually re-opened in 2005. Dundonald no longer has direct ties to Loch Lomond.
Scotland's 30th best course (Golf World, 2023).
Britain & Ireland's 110th best course (Golf World, 2024).
Ayr Road, Gailes, Ayrshire KA11 5BF.
+44 (0)1294 314 000
Visit websiteDundonald's luxury lodges and rooms are custom-designed with golfers in mind ... pairing practicality with comfort and style. Each is equipped with fully-fitted kitchens, patio area, golf equipment storage rooms and bedroom suites with en-suite bathrooms. Each cluster of lodges surround a practice putting green, so you can hone your skills whilst enjoying the comforts of the lodges.
Dundonald
Western Gailes; Glasgow Gailes; Kilmarnock Barassie.
Irvine; West Kilbride; Royal Troon (Old and Portland courses); Prestwick; Prestwick St Nicholas; Belleisle.
Crosbie Road, Troon, Ayrshire KA10 6HE
+44 (0)1292 314 444
Visit websiteLocated alongside the opening and closing holes of Royal Troon, the refurbished Marine Hotel provides excellent quality accommodation, combined with superb sea and golf course views. An ideal base from which to explore the many wonderful and historic golf courses on the Ayrshire coast.
Royal Troon (Old and Portland courses)
Prestwick; Prestwick St Nicholas; Kilmarnock Barassie.
Dundonald; Western Gailes; Glasgow Gailes; Irvine; West Kilbride; Belleisle.
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Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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