Gailes Road,
Irvine, Ayrshire KA11 5AE
Office
+44 (0)1294 311 258Pro shop
+44 (0)1294 311 561Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
John GreavesThe Course:
18 holes. Links course. Gently undulating terrain - easy to walk.
Surroundings:
Rural countryside and residential.
Designer:
The current course at this location was laid out by Willie Park Jr in 1912.
55.590221
-4.662932
14 miles N of Ayr
From the A78 one mile south of Irvine, exit at the Newhouse Interchange (Irvine A737). At roundabout at top of exit ramp follow direction Town Centre / Harbourside. After 150 yards at next roundabout take second exit. After 300 yards golf entrance is on your right.
Gailes Links Golf Course: In 1892 the Glasgow Golf Club, based in Scotland's largest metropolis, turned their attention to finding a second course outside the city. The railway line out to Ayrshire offered the opportunity to find a suitable parcel of land amongst the dunes on the Ayrshire coast. The Club found what they were looking for in an area that was already establishing excellent golfing credentials. The members could enjoy a train ride from Glasgow to Irvine, and then walk a mere two miles to the course. Their new course, in the villageless area of Gailes, was given the go ahead.
The flattish gently rippling links ground, albeit without sea views, was considered ideal for Glasgow Golf Club's out-of-town course. Along the gently rippling fairways, tough calluna heather and swaying fescues now lie in wait for wayward drives. There's plenty of opportunity to use your bump-and-run game around the raised and strongly undulating greens. Over 90 bunkers add to the challenges laid down by this thoroughly absorbing course, which calls for straight-hitting and careful approach work.
Open countryside is predominantly in view beyond the open and largely treeless layout, with the (now extended) railway line and a small amount of housing and light industry also in the mix. (The likes of Western Gailes, Royal Troon and Prestwick somehow secured the tallest dunes and with them the sea views). Here at Gailes Links you can concentrate on your game in a slightly more sheltered environment where the layout's undoubted charms and challenges gently unfold.
Visitors welcome on weekdays, and after 1:30pm on weekends.
Must book in advance. Handicap required.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Players generally walk this course. Caddies available by arrangement.
Good
Throughout most of its existence, the links course at Gailes established by the prestigious Glasgow Golf Club has been referred to as "Glasgow Gailes Golf Club" or just "Glasgow Gailes". The club has now adopted the name "Gailes Links" for the course, which remains under the ownership and management of Glasgow Golf Club.
Glasgow Golf Club is the world's ninth oldest golf club. It was founded in 1787, seven years after the Town Council started issuing permits for playing golf on Glasgow Green (although records show that golf was played in Glasgow almost 200 years before). In 1892 pressure of play was growing on the Club's course at Alexander Park* in Glasgow. To relieve some of the pressure a tract of land was leased from the Duke of Portland’s estate at Gailes on the Ayrshire coast. In 1924 the Gailes course was purchased from the Duke of Portland, twelve years after the current course there had been laid out by Willie Park Jr.
*Note: Glasgow GC's Alexander Park course and clubhouse later relocated to its current home in Killermont, five miles from Glasgow city centre.
Scotland's 41st best course (Golf World, 2023).
Britain & Ireland's 132nd best course (Golf World, 2024).
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
6 Castle Street, Irvine, North Ayshire KA12 8RJ
+44 (0)1294 278 903
Visit websiteSet on the Scottish coast on the banks of the River Irvine, Annfield House Hotel is an ideal location for a weekend break or golfing holiday. Near to the town of Irvine, yet with pleasing landscape views.
No
Irvine (Bogside); Western Gailes; Glasgow Gailes; Dundonald
Kilmarnock (Barassie); Royal Troon; Prestwick; Prestwick St Nicholas; Belleisle; West Kilbride
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