Western Gailes Golf Club

Western Gailes is a golf course situated on the Ayrshire coast ten minutes north of Troon, and was the next port of call for Chip, Decky and myself. Making up the fourball was Stewart Watt owner of the South Beach Hotel in Troon.

Western Gailes is a very special place and unbeknown to them it will always be one of the finest courses in Scotland thanks to a history that I have with the course. Many years ago a good friend of mine Jack McClusskie, was the manager at Western Gailes, the greatest regret of his life was the day he had to leave.

I've known Jack for the best part of twenty years and have spent many a happy hour in his company on a golf course. Jack is not in the best of health these days it seems that Father Time can catch up with the best of us. He is a stickler for the rules of golf and unimpressed by anyone who does not abide by the correct etiquette. Between him and a gentleman called Maurice Berg I was well grounded in the do's and don'ts on a golf course, for that alone I am eternally grateful. However the purpose of all this detail is that Jack spent many an hour regaling me with tails from his time at Western Gailes. So much so that I felt I knew the course long before I had the good fortune to play it. Jack still fondly remembers when the bar would close at 5pm so the members could catch the last train back to Glasgow, and his uniform was a morning suit which included a jacket with tails. But most importantly he remembers how kind the members were and the great relationship he had with the captain. A time of no written contracts just a handshake followed by a good glass of port.

The club still has that same warmth about it, both Barry(The Secretary)and Vicky(who does the rest), have continued the tradition that Jack told me about. Most visitors to this area are pre-occupied with Royal Troon Prestick or Turnberry, miss this course and you have missed the essence of what golf in Scotland is all about. Western Gailes is a great course with facilities and manners that remind you of all that was good in days gone by.

Both Barry and Vicky are clever enough to realise that they have to compete with the likes of Troon, Prestwick and Turnberry within a limited budget. To do this the club is very kind in extending invitations to tour operators like myself, and I would like to thank them for their generosity for inviting my friends and myself. Let me just say whilst I reluctantly paid money to play Loch Lomond, Western Gailes I would pay to play. As all golfers know some courses you just feel good to be on and this is one of mine.

When you get there it is like a step back in time, to the days when life was good and all the summers were warm and sunny. You will be met at the door by George, and have the privilege of meeting Henry on the first tee. There is no professional shop at Western Gailes everything you need is stored behind the bar, from balls to shirts plus good beer. The dress code is relaxed in the bar but should you wish to use the second bar jacket, shirt and tie will be required, but there is no real need to go in there. The changing rooms alone are worth the visit !

Don't be fooled when you look at the scorecard, the course may not be long but that does not make it easy. If you are visiting for the first time order a caddy, the line off the tee is not always obvious and some second shots are blind. We were fortunate enough to play it on a calm day, believe me when the wind blows this course will make mincemeat of your handicap. The greens are among some of the finest to putt on, what you see is what you get.

We had a great day Chip partnered Decky and I partnered Stewart. The game was up and down all day, Stewart had a nightmare visiting parts of the golf course none of us wanted to see, however he did bring home the bacon by birdieing the eighteenth. It made up for yesterdays losses !