Kilmacolm

Kilmacolm Golf Club is one of the finest golfing venues within just a short drive from the Scottish city of Glasgow.

The original design of the course was by Willie Campbell, with five-time Open Champion James Braid then coming in to make changes in the 1920s.

Despite being shy of 6,000 yards, Kilmacolm will test golfers of all abilities thanks to its tight, tree-lined fairways and undulating putting surfaces.

Visit Kilmacolm’s website here. 

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The original layout at Kilmacolm Golf Club was the work of Willie Campbell, runner up at the 1886 Open Championship. Kilmacolm was founded five years later, opening in 1891.

The great James Braid, a five-time winner of the Claret Jug, was drafted in to make changes in the 1920s, and despite being less than 6,000 yards, the course remains almost unchanged following the Scot’s work.

Kilmacolm is a moorland course lined by fir trees, bracken, heather and whins. Its calling cards are crisp, tight fairways and beautifully framed short par-4s. It is a course that more or less runs uphill and away from the town, out towards Lawfield Dam and back again. At less than 6,000 yards – even from the very tips – you might think Kilmacolm is there for the taking. Don’t be fooled, though, as it is more difficult that you might first give it credit for.

The opening hole is the absolute epitome of that... It is just 285 yards so some might think it is drivable. However, it is incredibly narrow, with tall conifers down the left and out of bounds perilously close down the right. The 2nd is the opening par 3 on this par 69 layout, and Houston Road marks the out of bounds down the right side. It is only 150 yards, but again, fraught with danger. OOB continues down the right of 3, which also has plenty of heather on its left. The green is small and circular, and anything long or right of the surface will be in trouble. The 4th is the Stroke Index 1 at Kilmacolm, with the fairway sloping severely from left to right, towards the OOB. A drop off behind the green adds to the difficulty, on a hole that is less than 350 yards.

5 provides some respite after a tricky start. It is not necessarily a tee shot that requires driver, as the fairway gets narrower the further you hit your tee shot. The green is located by the road, bringing in OOB once more. At 230 yards, the 6th is easily the longest of the par 3s. There is plenty of fairway in front of the surface for those that will need to run their ball up to the green, though. The 7th is the longest of the par 4s, pushing past 470 yards from the tips. However, with an elevated tee, it does play slightly less. Aim down the left side of the fairway on this dog-leg right to give yourself the best view of the green, which will still be a long way away, even after a good drive.

Around the turn, there are some more tricky holes. The 8th has a blind tee shot over a large mound, so make sure you clear that, but keep your drive short of the split in the fairway. It is a hole that you might get wrong the first time you play. The front nine comes to a close with a 380-yard par 4 that has a narrow fairway. The green is slightly raised compared to the rest of the ground, meaning anything missing will run further away from the surface. The 10th features another split fairway, with a carry of around 185 yards required to find the second section, raised above the first. From there, the green is a flick of a wedge ahead, behind two large bunkers. 11 is the only par 5 at Kilmacolm, and requires an accurate drive. Anything long and left of the green might find itself dropping towards Lawfield Dam. Approaches should be hit with a club less as there is a severe downslope in front of the putting surface.

12 is the first of two par 3s on the back nine, and the green sits behind three small mounds which obstruct the view of the putting surface slightly. OOB down the left, and a green that slopes from right to left means you have to aim at the right side of the green. 13 is the hardest hole on the closing side at Kilmacolm, and it is usually played into the prevailing wind. At 430 yards, this par 4 will require two solid blows to get greenside. ‘Quarry’ is the 14th, and it is called so due to the collection of rocks that split the fairway from the green. Once again, OOB is down the left side, but there is enough space off the tee.

The closing stretch begins with one of the best holes on the course. Pretty as a picture from the tee, this 335-yard par 4 requires your full attention. The fairway is not straight, so make sure you take that into account, before then hopefully having just a wedge in hand for your second shot. 16 is tricky due to the camber of the fairway. Aim down the right and your ball will make its way back to the centre, or even the left side of the short stuff. The green is raised, but you cannot go long! The penultimate hole is also the shortest at just 135 yards. It also plays downhill so a club less is required. Enjoy the view behind this hole before turning the concentration back on for the approach. The closing hole at Kilmacolm is a great test, especially if you have a good card in your hand. With OOB down the entirety of the right side, it requires an accurate drive before a solid approach to the heart of the green.

Where is Kilmacolm Golf Club located?

Kilmacolm Golf Club is the venue on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list which is closest to Glasgow. It sits to the west of the city, with the centre of Glasgow just 20 miles away. The course is based just outside the village of Kilmacolm, with the layout running through the Glen Moss Wildlife Reserve. Kilmacolm Golf Club sits just off the A761, which runs from Glasgow west towards Port Glasgow.

Thanks to its proximity to the city, it is no surprise that Glasgow International Airport is the nearest major airport to Kilmacolm. It sits just ten miles to the west of the airport, which is the second busiest in the country. Glasgow Prestwick Airport is also within 35 miles to the south. For rail users, Woodhall is the closest station, but that is five miles north of Kilmacolm Golf Club. Services run between Wemyss Bay and Glasgow Central on a half-hourly basis throughout the day.

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

Kilmacolm is somewhat on its own when it comes to other venues on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. The closest courses that also have a spot on the list are Irvine and West Kilbride, but they are 25 miles to the southwest of Kilmacolm. Further south of Irvine, there is the Ayrshire run of golf courses, including the likes of Dundonald Links and Western Gailes, while Loch Lomond is also within 30 miles to the north of Kilmacolm.

What golf facilities does Kilmacolm Golf Club offer?

Along with the 18-hole golf course, Kilmacolm Golf Club also has its own driving range and practice facility. The range is next to the closing hole, and there is also a dedicated short game area with a practice chipping green and bunkers. The putting green is in front of the clubhouse and next to the opening tee box.

What are the green fees at Kilmacolm Golf Club?

The price of a green fee at Kilmacolm 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 Kilmacolm, visit their website here.