A memorable round at Western Gailes

I grew up in Ayrshire on the west coast of Scotland, where I was really lucky to have many of the best golf courses in Scotland nearby. It's been almost 35 years since I moved away, but I often look back and appreciate how fortunate I was. As a young boy, I joined The Irvine Golf Club, also known as Bogside, and winning the Scottish Boys Championship in 1986 earned me a lifetime honorary membership, something I'm still proud of today.

I always love going back to Ayrshire, whether it's to catch up with family or to play a round of golf on those fantastic courses. Just last Wednesday, March 6th, I was at Western Gailes Golf Club right outside Irvine for the Scottish PGA Winter Stableford. I make it a point to play in this event every year. It's a great way to kick off my season with the first competitive round.

The best way to describe would be: “blowing the winter cobwebs away”.

I was set to tee off at 9:18 AM with good friends and fellow pros Stephen Gray and Alan Reid, an Ayrshire local who played his youth golf at Kilmarnock Barassie, another fantastic Ayrshire links course. Since Western Gailes only has a small warm-up area, about 150 yards left of the first hole, I decided to go over to my beloved Bogside first to hit some balls.

I just needed to make sure my Wilson longer irons and the driver were in good shape for the next few hours! Of course, I planned to get back to Western well in time because I always look forward to the warm welcome and the food they serve there.

It's pretty much a tradition in Scotland to start with a bacon roll and tea or coffee before heading to the first tee, and Western Gailes always nails it with the quality. Before meeting up with the guys at the first, I popped over to the putting green, expecting the usual bumpy greens for this time of year. But wow, was I in for a treat? The green was in incredible shape—smooth, fast, and every putt ran true. I thought to myself, “Let’s hope they’re all like this out there.” And let me tell you, I was not disappointed!

Western Gailes, founded in 1897, is a standout traditional Scottish links course with an incredible history. It's hosted plenty of high-profile events, including final qualifiers for The Open Championship. But it's not your typical "9 out and 9 in" links course. The first four holes go north, then you hit nine straight holes going the other way, and finish by heading north again for the last five. On a clear day, the views across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran are stunning. Arran itself is a gorgeous, mountainous island off Scotland’s west coast that's well worth a ferry trip if you have the time.

Western Gailes is a tough championship course, but don't let the first hole fool you. It's a pretty forgiving short par 4 with plenty of space off the tee—one of the gentler holes on this fantastic course. Usually, you'll get a bit of a breeze behind you for these first four holes, so it's a great chance to snag some early birdies.

However, when you start on the 5th hole and go through to the 13th, you're hitting one of the toughest stretches of golf in Scotland. For the next couple of hours, you'll have the dunes, beach, and sea all on your right, and most likely, you'll be playing against the breeze.

There's a bit more room to the right, but it would take a wild shot to end up in the sand or water. This stretch is challenging but incredible, with each hole offering something different. And just like any top links course in Scotland, you need to watch out for those strategically placed fairway bunkers with steep faces—no heroics, just get the ball back on the fairway.

My personal favorite on the front 9 is the tough par 3 7th hole. You tee off from an elevated position down to a bowl-shaped green surrounded by bunkers. On the day we played, with the wind against us, a hole that I'd usually cover with a 5 or 6 iron needed a solid 4 iron instead. I ended up sinking a 20-foot putt for par, but I'll save that story for another time.

Turning back for the final stretch, holes 14 through 18, hopefully, you'll have the breeze with you again. Having steered clear of the beach on the earlier holes, now you've got to contend with the main Ayr to Glasgow train line on your right as you navigate the last five holes. The 14th is an excellent par 5, with the elevated white medal tee right next to the railway line wall. If you get a moment, look across the rail track where you can see golfers on the Kilmarnock Barassie course, just 25 yards away—give them a wave!

In less than four hours (which is pretty quick compared to how long some pros take these days!), Stephen, Alan, and I wrapped up our round at the 18th green. We had an amazing time playing one of Scotland’s finest links courses at Western Gailes. We were also super lucky with the weather—very little wind, some blue skies, and no rain, which is quite a treat for this time of year here!

The course itself was top-notch, with a solid 10/10. The practice greens were just as good as the ones on the course, and the fairways were pristine. It's a challenging course that’ll make you want to come back. Oh, and watch out for the little burns that sneak up in front of a few greens—they're cleverly placed so make sure you know where they are!

Now, the clubhouse food might not be for everyone, so apologies in advance, but they serve up mince with poached eggs on toast and it’s fantastic! I have it every year when I'm there and I love it. I know it’s not everyone's cup of tea, but if you like mince and eggs, you really can’t go wrong. It’s brilliant, trust me. Finishing the day with mince and poached eggs was just perfect, especially since my pal Taiters tied for 6th place in his first outing of the year with 36 Stableford points. It just goes to show there’s still "life in the ole dog yet."

To wrap it up, you’ve got to visit Western Gailes. It’s a great golf course with loads of history, exactly what you’d expect from an old traditional Scottish club. Even the locker rooms feel like a step back in time, some having been in use since the club's early days. The club has a strong membership but is also hugely popular with visitors, especially Americans. Plus, it’s surrounded by other top-quality courses which make for an epic Scottish golf tour! You’re just a 10-minute drive from places like Dundonald Links and Royal Troon, and about 40 minutes from Turnberry, another must-visit.

A couple of last tips—check the dress code before you go. While it’s more relaxed for visitors, members and guests are expected to wear a shirt collar, and tie. Also, be careful when crossing the railway line at the entrance. The trains are fast, so don’t rush and obey the warning lights! Your tee time and bacon roll can wait.