Ayrshire trip advice

[Whereditgo]

Plans are afoot (not by me) for our annual Challenge meet for June 2011. Basically consists of 2 teams of 10 in Ryder Cup format, seems we have 3 package options as follows:

St. Nicholas )
Belleisle )................Option 1
Lochgreen )

Kilmarnock Barassie )
Irvine Bogside)............Option 2
Darley )

Glasgow Gailes )
Dundonald Links )..........Option 3
Lochgreen )

Anyone with any reccommendations as to which might be the best courses to play? Travelling distances involved (we will likely be staying in Prestwick or Ayr), etc would be appreciated.

Cheers,

 

[HRC99]

No help at all but Glasgow Gailes and Irvine Bogside are both tremendous courses.

 

[Smiffy]

No help at all but Glasgow Gailes and Irvine Bogside are both tremendous courses.

Never been up the West Coast, always preferred the East (in the hope of getting better weather) but always vowed that if I ever did venture "up the other side" that I would visit Glasgow Gailes. It receives fantastic reviews and I'd love to play it.

 

[DCB]

St Nicholas is a nice track, links layout in Prestwick. Bellisle and Lochgreen both municipal courses, but usually in good nick and both a good test of golf. Inlaws in area so have played them in the past.

Darley is a hard course, lots of gorse and some interesting carrys off the tee. Played it a few times this year and it's maybe not in tiptop condition this year. Dont know why, as on previous visits it's been good.

can't comment on the others I'm afraid, wrong side of the country for me.

 

[CliveW]

One piece of advice....

Don't turn up in a kilt - especially if you are playing at Troon!

 

[Iaing]

I would go with option 2 or 3...ideally, if you can swap out Darley or Lochgreen for St. Nicholas. All the courses you've listed are within 20 mins of Prestwick and 1/2 hour of Ayr. Bogside is the furthest.

This is also a great deal if you want to throw the magnificent Western Gailes into the equation.

Gailes Golf Experience

 

[Andy]

Fabian aka Farneyman and Alan (AMcC) will advise, right on there door step.

Andy

 

[Whereditgo]

One piece of advice....

Don't turn up in a kilt - especially if you are playing at Troon!

Only 1 Scotsman in the Rest of the World team (us) vs Sweden so think we're safe there mate

All helpful comments so far guys, anyone familiar with Dundonald and Lochgreen?

 

[thecraw]

Firstly, check with the clubs for deals instead of booking through a holiday firm.

For instance we had an outing at Dundonald which cost us £50 for 36 holes. I know that twilight golf at Dundonald is only £30 after 1500hrs.

St Nicholas is a nice track, Bogside is a tough track, Barassie is a boring slog in my opinion, I just think they ruined a great golf course by building a new 9 which in my opinion is pants compared to the old nine.

I would stay clear of Lochgreen and Darley.

Why not look into Largs Golf Club its a beautiful course with great views and superb greens.

http://www.largsgolfclub.co.uk/

then either Dundonald and Glasgow Gailes or Irvine Bogside which is all within a 20 mile radius?

 

[Whereditgo]

This is also a great deal if you want to throw the magnificent Western Gailes into the equation.

Gailes Golf Experience

Will probably be meeting up with my brother for a few rounds before the rest arrive so we may take that option, looks a cracking deal, thanks.

 

[SharkAttack]

Layout of all the courses are great. The sweep I play in went for a weekend in May to the three municipal courses you mention Bellisle, Lochgreen and Darley. They were not best pleased about the condition of any of them, which I found unusual as they used to be in great condition all year round. I have had a few other bad reports from others at the start of the season although they may have pulled their socks up later in the season. If they have then you can make any of the options and you won't be disappointed. Personally I would go for Option 3 which are three fantastic layouts.

 

[Iaing]

OK here goes...

Lochgreen's quite long but quite open, some nice holes but I've always found it a wee bit bland. Being a muni. be prepared for it being busy.
I personally much prefer the Darley.

Dundonald is a totally different matter. A crowd of us from on here played it last Tuesday and the only word I can use to describe it is magnificent. It was in great nick and every hole is different and memorable. A great addition to Ayrshire's great links courses !

Testament to Dundonald's quality is that although the course is only a few years old, it's already hosting things like European Tour pre qualifying and the boys championship.

 

[Albanach]

Dundonald is £30 after 2pm and is well worth a shout

 

[Farneyman]

If budget allows I would try to stay away from bellise, lochgreen and the darley soley because they are muni course and very busy most of the time. By paying a wee bit extra to play Dundonlald, Bogside and St.nicholas would be worth it in my opinion.

St.Nicholas is my home track and one I would highly recommmend. There was a very good deal going on in the 3 Prestwick courses last year and I think it will be continiued next year and it invloved 1 round around all 3 Prestwick courses, St.Cutberts, St. Nicholsa and Prestwick Old Course for around 120-150??? I need to check the exact price. its not advertised very well but would be also a very good option for you all.

My choice of the courses you have would be (budget allowing St.Nicholas, Prestwick Old Course and probally Dundonald which just shades it over Bogside which is a really good track.

Will try to find out more details on the 3 game deal.

 

[thecraw]

Fabian, I know I hope to possibly join Bogside next year but if I'm being honest I would play bogside before ST Nicks, mainly due to the holes over the road which get very bland from 10 onwards till you get back over the road again. I think St Nicks is a great course but for me Bogside just shades it. I think it's tougher and better laid out.

That's only my opinion though.