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| Western Gailes |
| Home Scottish Links Golf The Basics AFSD - how to determine the real length of a golf course Helpful Websites Platinum Page Upscale golfing products & services Aberdeen & Grampian Highlands Royal Aberdeen, Cruden Bay... Ayrshire Barassie Glasgow Gailes Irvine (Bogside) Prestwick Royal Troon Turnberry Western Gailes Scotland's Golf Coast Edinburgh area, Muirfield, North Berwick... Northern Highlands Royal Dornoch, Brora, Nairn... St.Andrews area Other golf courses Machrihanish, Pitlochry... LINKS LITE... Great links golf for the not-so-great golfer |
Western Gailes Golf Club © 2006, Richard & Mary-Alice Jafolla A Wolf in Wolf's Clothing Few links golf courses look intimidating at first sight. When see St. Andrews or Carnoustie for the first time you'll probably think, "What's all the fuss about?" especially if you see them when the sun is high and there are few shadows. That's because there are no trees or hills, and the lumps and bumps in the fairways and the deep, punishing bunkers are difficult to discern. At dawn or dusk it's another story. Not so with Western Gailes. This golf course looks fierce when you first approach it at any time of day. It makes you unconsciously hunch your shoulders in a protective pose. The only other golf course that looks as menacing is Cruden Bay. In both cases, looks are NOT deceiving. Western Gailes really IS a firece golf course and, yes, it will bite you if you are not careful. In fact, it will bite you if you ARE careful! Western Gailes is a fire-breathing dragon disguised as a golf course--one you will remember and talk about long after you play it.
Western Gailes is a classic out and back links golf course. In fact, it's only two fairways wide with a railroad on one side and the Firth of Clyde on the other. Of course the wind is above--don't forget the wind. Holes 1 thru 4 begin the outward trek of your round. The golf course then turns 180 degrees and holes 5 thru 13 bring you back in the opposite direction. Another 180 turn brings you home and holes 14 thru 18 are played in the same direction you started. I'm not sure why, but I seem to like this type of layout better than 1 thru 9 out and10 thru 18 back. With prevailing southwesterly and northwesterly winds blowing off the Firth of Clyde, it seems you'll have a small breather no matter which way the wind is blowing. The first time I saw Western Gailes the sun was low in the sky and I could clearly see the shadows cast by the bumps and humps and lumps in the fairways and greens. A pretty good wind was blowing and the long rough was waving like the mane on an angry lion--the golf course seemed just as unapproachable and made me think this was one tough golf course. The par 71 with a Standard Scratch Score of 74 was all I needed to be convinced I was right. There are pot bunkers dotted in strategic positions throughout the golf course and a meandering creek (called a "burn") which will pester you. Plus there is a line of dunes on your right on holes 5 thru 13 and an out-of-bounds wall on your right coming home on 14 thru 18. Slicer's beware! After a round on this golf course the clubhouse will look like paradise.
Western Gailes is definitely worth a play. It's a long course with an AFSD of 192 yards--a demanding golf course but a fair one. The greens run true and there are no hidden surprises. Everything you need to know is right out there facing you on every shot. Of course, that's part of the challenge. More than anything else, golf is a mind-game and Western Gailes will work on your mind on every shot. The only way to play the golf course is to put aside all the things that can go wrong and concentrate on your golf swing. Don't be too daring. Take what the golf course gives you. Sometimes that will be a bogie, sometimes a double. Just take it and go on to the next hole. There are lots of pars out there, a few birdies and, if it's your day, who knows, maybe even an eagle! Golf Nook Scotland rating - BIRDIE SCORECARD
Miscellaneous Information: Tee times: Mon, Wed, Fri - 9:00 to noon and 2:00 to 4:30 Green Fees: Weekdays - 18 holes, £90 - 36 holes, £135 (Including lunch) Sunday - £90 (lunch NOT included) A 50% non-refundable deposit is required with confirmation of tee times. Caddies: £30 (plus gratuity) Dress code: In the main lounge jacket and tie are required, ladies are required to wear "smart dress." In the smoke room and dining room "smart casual / golf wear" is accepted. Pace of play: I love this one so I'll quote Western Gailes verbatim. "It is considered that 3 1/2 hours is an appropriate time for completion of one round of golf." No, that's not a misprint. It is typical of Scottish golf courses that they consider a round of golf should take 3 1/2 to 3 3/4 hours. Anything over 4 hours is unacceptable. Contacts: Club Manager - David Lithgow - Tel: (0)1294 311649, Fax: (0)1294 312312 Reservations: (0)1294 311649, Fax: (0)1294 312312 e-mail: enquiries@westerngailes.com Western Gailes Golf Club Gailes, Irvine Ayshire, KA11 SAE For What To Do All Day, please visit the Ayrshire page. |
