Dundonald Links, Ayrshire Scotland

Dundonald Links, Ayrshire Scotland Highlights

The town of Gailes is fast becoming a magnet for golfers everywhere, especially now that a third, pure links course has been added to the mix. This is Dundonald Links, tucked somewhat in between Glasgow Gailes and Western Gailes, in fact it is entirely possible to play all three courses without getting in your car. Designed by Kyle Phillips, he of Kingsbarns’ fame, this is the latest, new must-play links on the Scotland golf rotation. Dundonald Links is the longest and most difficult of the Gailes’ links courses, a tough, penalizing design, yet playable for the average golfer with many different tees. What really makes it unique is that while Dundonald Links is built on pure, sandy linksland, the property was initially flat, with little elevation change. But the design team was able to use modern machinery to craft dunes, hollows, and undulations to rival any of the great Scottish courses, without bringing in sand or turf from the outside. Nature provided the turf, Mr. Phillips provided the rest. Our favorite holes at Dundonald Links are the 3rd, a fun and demanding par-5 with a little burn splitting the fairway, making pinpoint accuracy a must, and the par-3 13th, aimed directly at the sea, with Western Gailes just a few yards over the green across the railroad tracks, into the prevailing wind and often requiring a wood (at least!). No expense was spared at Dundonald Links, as might be expected as it is owned by the famous Loch Lomond Golf Club and also serves as an outpost for its members. Dundonald Links is surely one of the last links courses that will ever be developed in Scotland. Don’t miss it!

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