WESTERN GAILES
From DG SCOTLAND TOP100-2024 Editor, Kevin Markham
Western Gailes is an enchanting and elegant links, and a thriller to play. Everything about it has an air of quality and the tee boxes perched up high above the beach and Irvine Bay promise stunning views of both the holes around you and the Isle of Arran to the
west. Holes move north or south in two parallel lines between the sea and the railway line, and over rolling dunes. These duck and dive to create all manner of interesting shapes and a charmingly unpredictable rhythm. The clubhouse is perched high at the midpoint, so you get a taste for it all when you first arrive. The 14 variety of holes means much is asked of your game, especially on approach play, but you will at least have level lies to help you
battle the inevitable wind. Greens are cunningly located beyond burns (there are three) or in pockets created by the dunes… and they have some beautiful contours to make putting a joy. The par five 6th and par three 7th have two of the best green settings
you will ever encounter. Heather tops many dunes and wild rose stretches below tee boxes and above the beach. If it turns out to be the favourite course of your trip, don’t be surprised.