Must plays in Ayrshire?

[sabram]

I prefer Western Gailes and Glasgow Gailes to Dundonald. All three are right next to each other and about equal in walkabilty. Kilmarnock, Irvine, St Nicholas and Darley are also relatively easy walks for links and less expensive than the first three courses mentioned above 

[scott_Donald]

11 hours ago, jobin said:

Hope to get to Prestwick in September to visit my friend.  He's a member at that golf club so will play there. However, my knee and hip joints are really in poor shape so walking up/down long tracks put a ton of stress on my legs.

What are the best choices, flattest and most compact for walking 18 holes in Ayrshire?  And are there any courses which offer a buggy/cart to ride?

 

I would enquire about a medical certificate and buggies; I know my home course allows buggies with one for members. For visitors you can get a buggie but must have a caddy driving it. 

[Hawkeye77]

In addition to Royal Troon (loved it) we also played Prestwick, St. Nicholas, Kilmarnock Barassie and West Kilbride. The views from pretty much everywhere on the course at West Kilbride are worth the visit and it is a fun track. Didn’t care for St. Nicholas at all, would never play it again. Barassie is nice. I played it for twenty pounds because I was able to get in a comp ("Gents Open") and had a wonderful day with some guys from Northern Ireland who play that comp every year. Course was interesting enough, company and staff were terrific. If I had to choose between it and West Kilbride, I’d take West Kilbride every time for the views (zero at Barassie) and the layout is pretty much right in front of you and a fun test and pretty easy walk. 

Edited January 29, 2023 by Hawkeye77

[Hawkeye77]

Some cell phone shots of West Kilbride!  The first one is from one of the first couple of holes looking down on the rest of the course including some back nine holes we would encounter.  

 

 

Edited January 29, 2023 by Hawkeye77

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, Hawkeye77 said:

In addition to Royal Troon (loved it) we also played Prestwick, St. Nicholas, Kilmarnock Barassie and West Kilbride. The views from pretty much everywhere on the course at West Kilbride are worth the visit and it is a fun track. Didn’t care for St. Nicholas at all, would never play it again. Barassie is nice. I played it for twenty pounds because I was able to get in a comp ("Gents Open") and had a wonderful day with some guys from Northern Ireland who play that comp every year. Course was interesting enough, company and staff were terrific. If I had to choose between it and West Kilbride, I’d take West Kilbride every time for the views (zero at Barassie) and the layout is pretty much right in front of you and a fun test and pretty easy walk. 

What didn’t you like about St. Nicholas?

[Hawkeye77]

2 hours ago, hammergolf said:

What didn’t you like about St. Nicholas?

My recollection is until 16/17 a lot of the back nine seemed a little redundant and not all that interesting. I wanted to like it a lot and just didn’t for some reason - some nice views on a couple holes. The course didn’t seem in the best repair when we were there. If I was in the area for a month I’d give it another go, but if in the area for even a couple weeks, I’d replay the ones I liked better and try a couple I haven’t played. Don’t bear it a grudge, but it’s just above The Struie in Dornoch at the bottom of the list of courses we’ve played in Scotland. Now, that’s still above 99% of the courses I’ve played in the U.S.! 

[Malvern]

On 1/30/2023 at 2:51 PM, Hawkeye77 said:

My recollection is until 16/17 a lot of the back nine seemed a little redundant and not all that interesting. I wanted to like it a lot and just didn’t for some reason - some nice views on a couple holes. The course didn’t seem in the best repair when we were there. If I was in the area for a month I’d give it another go, but if in the area for even a couple weeks, I’d replay the ones I liked better and try a couple I haven’t played. Don’t bear it a grudge, but it’s just above The Struie in Dornoch at the bottom of the list of courses we’ve played in Scotland. Now, that’s still above 99% of the courses I’ve played in the U.S.! 

I'd be reasonably happy to play my Saturday golf at St Nicholas, that said, it's not the course you travel across the planet for.

 

We ended up with it on our itinerary due to our own apathy and the fact that it was day one and we treated it like a "pro-am". Additionally I presumed the tour operator was looking for something else to add in.

 

Agree with @Hawkeye77we should have played one of the others twice, in fact it's a criticism of a couple of tours I have been on (but didn't organise) that there wasn't enough return plays.

[AltC]

On 1/29/2023 at 6:21 AM, jobin said:

Hope to get to Prestwick in September to visit my friend.  He's a member at that golf club so will play there. However, my knee and hip joints are really in poor shape so walking up/down long tracks put a ton of stress on my legs.

What are the best choices, flattest and most compact for walking 18 holes in Ayrshire?  And are there any courses which offer a buggy/cart to ride?

Normally clubs will have a few golf carts for people who cannot physically make the walk - if you get a doctors note on your hip etc. the club will accommodate this and get you a cart to ride - don’t forget there are lots of older members playing into their 80s who need this sort of assistance to keep playing for as long as they can. If you email the club secretary they can sort this for you no worries.

[AltC]

Scott-D sorry I just reiterated what you already advised- I sometimes miss the second page - it’s an age thing I guess ! Solid advice - they will let you ride with doctors note!! Hehe

[ousuxndallas]

On 10/6/2022 at 8:31 AM, cardia10 said:

Don't add the dinner. Too many great local places to try and it is always there if you want it. One of our favorites was Wildings close to Turnberry.

Agree with Wildings. Best sticky toffee pudding I had in Scotland, and I tried it at every restaurant we visited. 

 

Troon: kicked our arse with a 3-club wind.  Fairways are much narrower than Turnberry.  Troon has a nice driving range so it's a good spot to get some range time in on your trip - most courses do not have any ranges.  Troon has a first class pro shop - good place to stock up on apparel, gear, etc.

 

Western Gailes: really nice track - one of my favorites on our trip last summer.  Lost a lot of balls - lots of gorse.  But most holes were right on the ocean so great views and great holes IMO.

 

We played Troon, Western Gailes and Turnberry.  Of those 3 I would rank them: (1) Turnberry, (2) WG, (3) Troon.

Edited March 19, 2023 by ousuxndallas

[dwboston]

Any recommendations from folks on which courses it makes sense to take caddies?  We're playing Prestwick, Troon, Turnberry, Western Gailes and Dundonald and need to submit caddie requests soon.  Are pushcarts/trolleys an option at any of these courses?  I don't mind getting a caddie if needed for a given course, just wondering if it makes sense for all the courses. 

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, dwboston said:

Any recommendations from folks on which courses it makes sense to take caddies?  We're playing Prestwick, Troon, Turnberry, Western Gailes and Dundonald and need to submit caddie requests soon.  Are pushcarts/trolleys an option at any of these courses?  I don't mind getting a caddie if needed for a given course, just wondering if it makes sense for all the courses. 

You could get by not having a caddie at any of those. However, you will have some blind tee shots to very narrow fwys and greens at Troon and Prestwick. In addition, Prestwick is a bit quirky. I would take a caddie at Troon and Prestwick for sure. There are a couple blind shots at Turnberry but a course guide and aiming rocks help. Western is pretty much right in front of you. Haven’t played Dundonald so not sure there.

[Raz1374]

No caddie needed at Dundonald. It’s pretty much straight in front of you. 

[cardia10]

11 hours ago, Raz1374 said:

No caddie needed at Dundonald. It’s pretty much straight in front of you. 

100%, Dundonald is very American with very little need for a caddie. Prestwick is a must. Western Gailes for me is a must as my depth perception is terrible and they helped with some angles off the tee. You can see the general direction but I found them helpful.

Edited March 23, 2023 by cardia10

[dwboston]

Just got back from the Ayrshire trip and it was incredible.  Weather was amazing, high 60's to mid 70's every day without a drop of rain.  Wind was a challenge, as it was apparently the opposite of the prevailing direction at Troon, Turnberry and Western Gailes.  We had a great time - everyone we met was friendly and welcoming and the golf was a wonderful experience never having played true links golf before.  My personal rank of the courses would be Turnberry (best course I've ever played by far, better than Brookline and Pinehurst #2), Western Gailes, Troon, Prestwick, and Dundonald.  All were fun and challenging in their own ways, and I would gladly play any again.  Biggest challenge was the wind, then adapting to the slower green speeds.

 

I'll post some pics later today.  The caddie recommendations were spot on.  Took a Motocaddie at Turnberry and it was a lot of fun.  Will follow up later.

[dwboston]

Troon - I'll admit that Troon beat me up a bit.  This course is tough.  I made a handful of pars, a few bogies, a few doubles.  I did par the Postage Stamp in relatively calm winds.  They picked up later in the round.

[dwboston]

Turnberry Ailsa - visually stunning and super fun to play.  My favorite golf course ever.  Winds were blowing with gusts up to 25-30 mph.  Wind was straight into us from holes 3-10.  I hit a solid 7-iron (165 yard club) from 135 yards into the par-3 6th hole. 😀  Just a great course and in incredible condition.

 

[hammergolf]

6 minutes ago, dwboston said:

Turnberry Ailsa - visually stunning and super fun to play.  My favorite golf course ever.  Winds were blowing with gusts up to 25-30 mph.  Wind was straight into us from holes 3-10.  I hit a solid 7-iron (165 yard club) from 135 yards into the par-3 6th hole. 😀  Just a great course and in incredible condition.

 

It was incredible last time I played it before the redesign. I can’t wait to get back and see how much better it is now!

[dwboston]

Western Gailes - really cool course.  We had lunch in the clubhouse dining room, seated next to a large group of older gentlemen.  They were the past captains of the club and several came over to greet us and talk about the course.  This one was really tough on me as a left-hander with a strong wind blowing towards the ocean all day.  Every hole was a crosswind.  A true links course with several "good" shots running into trouble/bunkers/etc.  Visually impressive course as well - it felt like playing golf on the moon at times.

 

[Chanceman]

Yes, I enjoyed Turnberry a lot - and also the Robbie Burns Breakfast at the hotel.

[AltC]

Great weather for your trip - Links golf is supposed to be tough in the wind - that is how it’s played - glad you enjoyed yourselves in Bonny Scotland!

Edited June 13, 2023 by AltC

[AltC]

On 6/11/2023 at 3:04 PM, Chanceman said:

Yes, I enjoyed Turnberry a lot - and also the Robbie Burns Breakfast at the hotel.

“Fair fah yer honest sonsie face - great chieftain oh the puddin’ race”

A great breakfast indeed!!

[ousuxndallas]

On 6/10/2023 at 9:07 PM, dwboston said:

Western Gailes - really cool course.  We had lunch in the clubhouse dining room, seated next to a large group of older gentlemen.  They were the past captains of the club and several came over to greet us and talk about the course.  This one was really tough on me as a left-hander with a strong wind blowing towards the ocean all day.  Every hole was a crosswind.  A true links course with several "good" shots running into trouble/bunkers/etc.  Visually impressive course as well - it felt like playing golf on the moon at times.

 

 

Wow, great pictures!  Looks like you had phenomenal weather!  I agree with your assessment of Western Gailes.  To me, after playing 10+ courses in Scotland - that course is THE definition of a links course.  High rough, gorse, right along the sea, ability to bump and run up into the greens, penal for bad/offline shots, but fair if you keep in in play.  Flat greens.  It checks every box.