Western Gailes dates back over 125 years to 1897, when the earliest golfers used to arrive on the train south from Glasgow.
Stretching to over 7,000 yards from the championship tees, the entire links lies between the sea and railway. The opening holes head north, before a stretch of nine consecutive holes played in the opposite direction, with the sea on the golfer’s right. The closing quintet of holes include the unforgettable 17th, one of the most testing par 4s in all of Scotland.
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Western Gailes is most certainly as traditional, attractive and testing a Scottish links as you could wish to find.
There is substantial debate as to who laid out the course. The club claims Fred Morris, and possible the influence of Tom Simpson. Golf Digest insists that Willie Fernie designed the course. In addition, Cornish and Whitten claim Willie Park and Willie Park Jr. in The Architects of Golf.