West Kilbride

1893 saw the founding of the West Kilbride Golf Club, with a 9-hole course being laid out. It wasn’t until 1905 that the course was extended to the full 18 holes that it is today. Old Tom Morris was at hand with the original designs.   1951 saw South African Bobby Locke play at West Kilbride, in what would be his last appearance before making the move to America.  In recent years, West Kilbride has played host to several major amateur tournaments. The British Girls and British Seniors Ladies, along with the Scottish Girls, Scottish Ladies and Scottish Boys have all been hosted at the venue.

West Kilbride Golf Club is a simple, classically Scottish links which cannot fail to charm all who tackle her. It is impossible to pinpoint the reason why, but West Kilbride is rarely classified alongside Ayrshire's other wonderful seaside courses. It is not a Turnberry, a Troon or a Prestwick, but West Kilbride deserves elevation to the second tier alongside its near neighbours.

The Par 71 layout runs at just over 6,500 yards long, and the opener is a sign of things to come. Tight turf, slick greens and a requirement to think your way down a hole. Fly the ball too far and it will bounce hard on the green and bound off the back or side. Often, a full shot is preferable to a tricky half-swing. The ditch in front plays havoc with anyone planning to try and run the ball on to the green.

The 2nd is only a touch longer, but plays as a dog-leg right. 3 is the first of the course’s two par 5s, which both come on the front nine. It is one of the tougher holes with out of bounds down the entirety of its right side. Five bunker lie in wait down the hole, including one to the left of the green. The 4th is the opening par 3 at West Kilbride, and with enticing bunkers in view. The 5th and 6th are relatively short par 4s where your score could be improved, the latte especially as there is just one fairway bunker to avoid with your tee shot. 
 The 7th is the longest hole on the course at more than 550 yards. Nine bunkers line the hole, on what is a proper three-shotter. 8 follows on, and it is one of the longer par 4s at 410 yards. The short 9th offers you many ways to ruin a tidy scorecard. It is a delightful hole which is an excellent introduction to the stellar back nine, where the views across the Firth of Clyde to Arran can be drunk in. That starts with the par 4 10th. It plays along the coastline, with the beach on your left. The tendency is to push your tee shot, but there is trouble on the right as well. The 11th is the shortest of the par 4s, and one that is driveable for most. At just 260 yards from the tips, you may as well take the green on. Yes, there are seven bunkers, but even if you take three to get down from there, you still come away with a par. 
 The stretch from 12-17 is the best on this championship-standard links, beginning with the par 3 12th. This is the last short hole at West Kilbride, and it is followed by a trip along the coastline at the 13th. Anything hit right off the tee is gone, but if you find the fairway, the green is quite inviting as there are no bunkers in play. 14 also features the Irish Sea to its west, but is much shorter, at just 320 yards. A simple fairway wood and wedge should do the trick. 
 The stretch of holes along the coastline comes to an end with the 15th – the longest of the par 4s at West Kilbride. Again, the safe play is out to the left, but the green is right by the course boundary and the coastline, so be careful with your approach. 16 is a shorter par 4 of 350 yards, but there are plenty of bunkers to avoid with both your tee shot and approach. 17 and 18 take you back inland and back to the clubhouse, with the latter being a great closing hole. It is only 380 yards from the tips, but three fairway bunkers mean accuracy is key. The green is large so make sure you find the right part of it or a three-putt at the last could be your fate.

Joss Powick: Wonderful location, and the greens & surrounds very good.

Dove Jones: Shorter championship links at 6,500 yards but challenging with stunning views over the water.

Peter Rudd: West Kilbride has an amazing setting where you almost feel you can reach out and touch Arran even though it is miles away. The course is enjoyable and has been improved in recent times with an ongoing upgrade to the bunkering system. The setting alone makes the course worth the visit, but it also has some testing holes that will challenge even the most competent of golfers.

Charles Abraham: The best hole is the 16th, the curiously named "Hunger-em-oot". Other beauties include "Wild Cat" and "Flukey Dip".

Jim Marshall: Great links with the sea in view throughout. Narrow fairways, small tight greens with an abundance of well positioned bunkers and out of bounds makes this one challenging.

David Walker: A true links course with views of the sea and the backdrop of Arran from every hole, lots of variation and shotmaking required.

Read more about our panellists here (opens in a new tab).

Where is West Kilbride located?  
West Kilbride Golf Club is found on the western coastline of Scotland. It is part of Ayrshire’s stunning golfing coastline, one that includes the likes of Royal Troon, Trump Turnberry, Prestwick, and Dundonald Links to name just a few. Kilmarnock is 20 miles away, while Glasgow – Scotland's second city – is around 30 to the northeast.  Both Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Glasgow Airport are within a 45-minute drive from West Kilbride, with the latter being the second biggest airport in the country behind only Edinburgh. West Kilbride Station sits on the line between Glasgow Central and Largs, which has trains running bin both directions hourly. The station is just a mile away from the golf club. Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?
West Kilbride is the northernmost of the several venues on the Ayrshire coastline that occupy a place on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. The likes of Western Gailes, Dundonald Links, Kilmarnock Barassie, Irvine and Royal Troon, with its Old Course and Portland Course, all within 20 miles.
What golf facilities does West Kilbride offer?
Along with the championship-standard links course, West Kilbride is also home to a newly renovated practice facility. There is a driving range, which sits between the 17th and 18th holes, along with a dedicated short game area.  
What are the green fees at West Kilbride?  
The price of a green fee at West Kilbride 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 West Kilbride visit their website here (opens in a new tab).   Visit West Kilbride's website here (opens in a new tab). Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.