Ayr (Belleisle)

The Ayr (Belleisle) Golf Club has been around since the late 1920s, and is situated in the Belleisle Estate to the south of the city of Ayr.

James Braid, the five-time winner of the Open Championship, designed Belleisle’s layout. He also designed the neighbouring Seafield course at the same time.

It is not the longest of courses, at 6,400 yards, but it is a layout that requires thought and accuracy to score well, not just brute force.

Visit the Ayr Belleisle website here.

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As with many of the wonderful courses on the Ayrshire coastline, it was a certain five-time Open Champion that was the brains behind the design.

Both Belleisle and Seafield were opened in 1927, with the two layouts working their way around the Belleisle Estate.

Ayr Belleisle Golf Club was established a year later, and the two clubs host the annual Belleisle Cup over 36 holes.

Unlike the links courses that you will find all around this part of the world, Belleisle is very much a parkland layout, though you are rewarded with views of the Irish Sea at points throughout a round. Braid’s layout, which remains relatively unchanged, runs past 6,400 yards off the tips. Playing as a par 71, there are four par 5s and a quintet of short holes, all of which offer up different challenges.

Another unusual feature at Belleisle is the start, as you get underway with a pair of par 5s. The 1st is 477 yards from the tips, and plays as a strong dog-leg left. The tee shot has to be accurate to avoid the trees that pinch the fairway in on both sides. If you have a view of the green, then it is worth taking a crack with your second. The 2nd runs in the opposite direction and goes slightly from left to right. Avoiding the three fairway bunkers down the left is key. Don’t go long of this green, as there is nothing but OOB behind.

The first of the short holes comes at the 3rd. Playing slightly downhill, the green is surrounded by sand. The miss is on the right, if there is one. A trio of long par 4s, all over 400 yards, follow. The 4th is another dog-leg, moving round to the left. Three fairway bunkers are in play off the tee, including one in the centre of the short grass. Three more traps guard the surface. 5 is straight, but again, with fairway bunkers in play. Two hazards sit in the centre of the fairway, around 20 yards short of the green, one which is triangular in shape, with the narrow section at the front. The 6th is the longest of the three par 4s, at almost 430 yards. However, there is a wide-open space to attack with driver. Trees encroach on the right side of the green, so pull your approach to the left if you have to miss the surface.

Despite having eight bunkers surrounding the green, the par 3 7th is the Stroke Index 18 at Belleisle. There really is no good miss here, and it is not that short either, at 155 yards. A pair of scorable par 4s bring the front nine to a close. The 8th is just 330 yards, and offers up another wide fairway. There are trees down the right, but there is still plenty of space, before it opens out even more at the green. The closing hole on the front nine is a slight dog-leg right, but again, at 350 yards, this is a good birdie chance. Five bunkers protect the green, with anything too long being in trouble once more.

The first of three par 3s on the back nine comes at the 10th. 185 yards, with trees on the left of the green and two bunkers protecting the short grass – this is a tricky short hole. Anoter trio of long par 4s follow, culminating in the Stroke Index 1 at Belleisle. Before that, 11 is another wide hole, but one where avoiding bunkers is still a key off the tee. Four more traps guard the green. 12 is a dog-leg right, and a good drive must be down the left side to get to the corner – giving you a view of the green. Unusually, there are no bunkers in play on the approach, but that doesn’t detract from the difficulty. Then, you have the Stroke Index 1 – the 430-yard 13th. Although there is a wide fairway and no bunkers, the short grass cambers from left to right. The green is then protected by three bunkers and trees on its right side. A par here is a great score.

14 is the longest of the par 3s at Belleisle. Just shy of 200 yards, and with three bunkers to avoid on your approach, it is another hole where par is a good score. The 15th is the first of two par 5s in the last four holes. At 477 yards, it is another hole par 5 that is reachable in two, but only if you get a good drive away down the narrow chute. Anything to the right of the green will find itself falling away into thick rough. 16 brings water into play for the first time. The fairway on this dog-leg right par 4 is split by a burn – giving you the decision of whether to try and get past it, or to lay up short of it. Most will choose the latter, but will then be left with a longer approach into the green.

The water also comes into play on the penultimate hole, what is the last of the quintet of par 3s. The 17th is 150 yards, making it the shortest hole on the property. However, playing over the burn to a green surrounded by five large bunkers – it isn’t exactly easy. The closing hole at Belleisle is also the longest of the lot – a 530-yard par 5. It is a true three-shotter due to the design of the hole. Only the longest of hitters will be able to clear the trouble that sits in the fairway. Most will have to lay up short of the bunkers and thick rough that splits the fairway. From there, finding the right area to lay up to is key, before knocking your final approach towards the green. A par on the last, despite it being a par 5, is a very good way to finish your round.

Where is Ayr (Belleisle) Golf Club located?

Ayr (Belleisle) Golf Club is situated on the western coastline of Scotland, less than a mile to the south of the city of Ayr. The coastline of the country is a stone’s throw to the west, with the A77 – which runs from Glasgow to Portpatrick – running close by the venue. The city of Glasgow is around an hour to the north, 40 miles away by road.

With that, Glasgow Airport – the second busiest airport in the country – is around the same distance, and the best bet for international visitors to the region. Glasgow Prestwick Airport is only five miles north of Belleisle, but the range of flights is much less varied. Ayr Station is only a couple of miles from the venue, with trains running up and down the west coast – servicing Glasgow Central, Kilmarnock, Stranraer and Girvan.

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby? 

With the course being located in the region of Ayrshire, there are plenty of stunning golf courses within close range of Ayr (Belleisle). Prestwick and Prestwick St Nicholas are within five miles, while the likes of Kilmarnock Barassie, Dundonald Links, Gailes Links, Western Gailes and Royal Troon – with its Old and Portland Courses – all within a short drive.

What golf facilities does Ayr (Belleisle) Golf Club offer?

Although there is no driving range at Belleisle, there is a practice area in the centre of the course, sitting between the 1st and 12th holes of the layout. There is a short game area, including a putting green, by the clubhouse and opening tee box.

What are the green fees at Ayr (Belleisle) Golf Club?

The price of a green fee at Ayr (Belleisle) Golf Club changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Ayr (Belleisle), visit the South Ayrshire Golf site here.