Western Gailes Golf Club

Western Gailes Golf Club, founded in 1897, is situated on the Ayrshire coast of Scotland where many of the finest Scottish golf links are located and is only 4 miles from Glasgow Prestwick International Airport.

It is recognised as one of the finest and true links courses in Scotland measuring 6899 yards from the championship tees. The course has played host to the Curtis Cup, PGA Championship, Seniors and prestigious Scottish Amateur Championship. It is also one of the final qualifying courses when The Open is played at Turnberry or Royal Troon. The clubhouse, with its view of the hills of Arran and the sharp outline of Ailsa Craig standing out from the shimmering sea, gives an instant picture of the delights Western provides and the comforts it affords to all who visit us. The reputation of Western Gailes as one of the game's finest and more exacting courses has spread world wide, as evidenced by its numerous visitors from well furth of Scotland 's shores. In 1903 the great Harry Vardon won the first major championship at "Western” and in 1923 its attractions were being lauded by the then US Open Champion Gene Sarazen who played the course with three other outstanding professionals of the day. The setting is imposing being situated between the railway and the sea, a fact that accounts for both being very much in play as major features. It is special amongst seaside courses that are no more than two holes wide, in having its clubhouse in a more or less central position. The course, 6639 yards off the medal tees is, as the standard scratch score rating of 74 indicates, never other than an excellent test of true links golf. Any change in the strength or direction of the wind, that usually varies between south-westerly and north-westerly off the adjacent Firth of Clyde, provides new challenges that are compounded by the undulating terrain and finely contoured greens cleverly located and set in the folds of the surrounding sand dunes.

Tee Time Availability

All golfers are welcome, but we ask that you let faster games play through to enhance everyone's     enjoyment of their visit. The Starter will advise on the best Tees to use to enjoy your game.

Dress Code

All visitors are expected to wear suitable golfing attire on the course. Golf wear is allowed within most areas of the Clubhouse, apart from the Main Lounge. Tailored shorts worn with knee length socks are permitted. 

Mobile phones, may be used in the car park, but not on the course or in any part of the Clubhouse.

Caddies

Caddies can be requested in advance and are subject to availability. 

Car Parking

It is in Visitors' interest to ensure that vehicles are securely locked and valuables kept out of sight as The Golf Club cannot be held responsible for loss or damage. Articles of value should not be left in vehicles or in the Locker Rooms as the Club cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage.

Additional Information

The club carries a range of essential golf merchandise including balls, sweaters, shirts, caps, hats and tees etc.

Weekend Catering - a limited snack menu is available in the Bar on Sundays.  Please call for detail on the catering available on Saturdays.

Overseas Professionals will receive a 50% Discount on the above Fees, advance notice and production of current PGA card is required.

Deposit: a 50% non refundable deposit is required within 3 weeks of making the Provisional Booking. Times may be reallocated if there has been no contact within three weeks of initial booking.

Bookings with the Reservations Department can be by phone, e-mail, fax, letter or using the online booking form. 

Payments may be made by cash, cheque or credit card (Mastercard, Visa, American Express or Maestro). 

Caddies: If Caddies are required, it is advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment.  All Caddies are Self-Employed, a suggested rate for a Senior Caddie is £40.00 (excluding any tip).

Trolley Rental: trolleys are available at £4 per round and £5 per day from the Caddy Master.

Cart Rental: the Club has a powered buggy available to visitors who require the use of one for medical reasons. A doctor's letter must be provided and the relevant insurance forms completed prior to its hire. The hire charge is £15 per round.

Powakaddy Rental: the Club has powakaddy carts available for rental at £15 per round.

Club Hire: the Club has new titleist sets of varying specs available for hire at £35 per round or £50 per day.

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The traditional clubhouse offers first class locker room, bar, dining room and catering facilities, Also we have a very infomative museum in the Gallery which exhibits the history of the game of golf and of Western Gailes.

In the main lounge, gentlemen are requested to wear jacket, collar with tie and ladies smart dress. Smart casual / golf wear is accepted in the bar and dining room. Visitors may not wear jeans or collarless shirts while on the course or in the clubhouse.

Gentlemen on the course may wear shorts provided that they are tailored and worn over the ankle socks.

Facilities for ladies include a spacious changing / rest room with a fully equipped shower and toilet area.

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William Johnstone, James Lang, Will G O Lindsay and Andrew McCulloch founded the club in 1897. They were all members of golf clubs in Glasgow, but had a vision to create a golf course on the Ayrshire coast away from the industrial fog of the city, and substanially free from winter frost that would allow golf all year round. "In starting this Club, the promoters have in view the large number of members of inland courses who would be glad of the facilities afforded by membership of a good seaside course in addition to the course on which they already play, and they therfore propose that the Annual Subscription should be only Ten Shillings and Sixpence, with an entrance fee of a like sum for members who join now."

Within the first year a two storeyed temporary clubhouse had been erected. The first permanent structure was built in 1909 at a cost of almost £4.000. Major alterations were made in 1934, and the dining room extension added in 1961. A new entrance was built in the mid 1990s, and the clubhouse has been extensively refurbished over the last few years. Following the failure of the course at Dundonald in the aftermath of the Second World War, Western Gailes acquired the Dundonald Clubhouse to use for staff quarters, and potentially a dormie house. This clubhouse was eventually sold some years later.Founded in 1897, the first nine holes were ready for play by the spring of 1898.

A major achievement completed by the first greenkeeper Mr Morris. Initially the course was allowed to develop naturally from the terrain shaped by the ravages of nature. Areas have had to be reshaped in the past 60 years as a result of wartime tank manoeuvres across the 10th and 17th holes. New 3rd, 4th and 5th holes were designed to allow for an access road to the harbour. Nature has exerted much more control than man in the development of Western Gailes.