Irvine - Ayrshire & Arran - Scotland

During a stay in Troon on 18th Sept I made the short trip (15 mins) to Irvine GC and well worth the journey it was to. On arrival I had a chat with John The Caddiemaster who was very informative and he got me off before a large group. I found the course to be in great condition and the greens were superb the equal of any I’ve played this year. Off the yellow tees the course has 2 Par 3’s, the rest are Par 4’s but don’t let this put you off as there are a nice variety of Par 4’s even the short ones posing a test and on the longer ones keeping your ball out of the gorse is a challenge. All in all, this course is a tough test especially on your first visit when playing to your handicap would be an achievement. The Clubhouse is a lovely old building with spacious rooms and is steeped in history. If you are in the area and serious about your golf this club is well worth a visit, you won’t be disappointed.

Our group enjoyed our day at Bogside. We were fortunate to play under calm and mild conditions and found the course in excellent shape. We met many members who were playing their own competion that day and were greeted in a very friendly manner. Each seemed eager to know how we liked th eir course and happy to hear that we had had a very fine day. It's an excellent value for the traveling golfer. Lovely nineteenth hole for visitors where we enjoyed an excellent snack of soup and our pints.

I played the course today after securing one of the last winter tee times available (with 50% off regular green fees) and I came away feeling well pleased to have renewed my acquaintance with an old personal favourite that deserves to be ranked FAR higher in the current Scottish listings.

Only 16 holes were in play due to extensive work taking place on the two short par fours at the 4th and 5th but my playing partner and I at no time felt we’d been short changed – in fact, the very friendly chap behind the counter in the pro shop told us to play “wherever we liked” if we felt inclined to make up the loss of these two holes!

Greens weren’t great to putt on, it has to be said, with some better than others in terms of pace and bumpiness.

Nonetheless, it felt grand to be out on such a beautiful sunny morning after the recent atrociously bad weather and we were prepared to overlook the odd conditioning lapse at this time of year.

The five bunkers that surround the green on the par three 8th have all been refaced over the winter and they now form formidable obstacles at this short hole.

The 13th (“Snodgrass”) is a terrific par four on the inward half, boasting, as it does, one of the most intimidating tee box driving positions in Scottish golf.

It’s a pity there doesn’t seem to be much land available to extend the layout beyond its current length of 6423 yards as it deserves to be played by the top pros when they play in final qualifying when the Open’s held at Troon or Turnberry.

Take time to read some of the correspondence on the wall outside the lounge in the clubhouse where you’ll find old letters from companies owned by the likes of Willie Park, Ben Sayers, Sandy Herd and Harry Vardon – fascinating stuff from some of the golfing greats of a bygone era..

And if there’s a more informal, reasonably priced bar menu in Scotland, I’ve yet to find it so fill your boots both on the course and in the clubhouse afterwards when you play at Irvine.

Jim McCann

If you are a traditionalist then this course perfect for you. I played it in July 2009. The clubhouse is a step back in time and full of character with the cheapest food I have ever encountered at a golf course.The caterers were summoned by using a bell in the main bar.The members and staff were all very friendly, as was the pro.Giant paintings of past Scottish Amateur champions that were members of the club adorn the walls. There is also a small section ddicated to golfing memorabilia connected with the club. This course is not long but challenges all aspect of your game. There are risk and reward holes like the short par 4 4th. Teh best hole on the course for me is the 14th the "spectacles". A lengthy par 4 with a small green protected by two bunkers The greens were superb, fast and firm and the course in great condition.This course is quirky and a classic James Braid layout not spoilt by modern technology although some of the bunkers are no longer in play, still well worth a visit. It is steeped in history and tradition and I can see why it continues to hold major amateur events. A must play especially at £50 a round!

Irvine is a delightful club very much in the mould of near neighbours Western Gailes. A club which oozes old school charm where, the visiting golfer is always made feel most welcome. A gentle first three holes gives way to the engaging 4th which, if you are feeling brave enough, is almost driveable. Make sure you don’t go left as a re-load is almost inevitable if you do. Holes 4 and 5 are a trifle eccentric; the 4th is all uphill whilst the 5th finishes with a steep drop to the green. Both look fairly straightforward but take it from me they not. It just proves that a hole doesn’t have to be long to be testing. The back 9 also has memorable holes. The 13th, where the fairway is only hinted at by a far off marker post. A wee tip, slightly left of the marker is your line. The 14th is the quaintly named, “The Specs”. I presume, because the green is guarded by two bunkers which resemble a pair of glasses, the size of which, would keep Vision Express in business for life? 17 and 18 are two fabulous finishing holes with the 18th leaving you with a daunting drive over two more specsesque bunkers. Irvine has something for everyone. It appeals to me as it admirably demonstrates that you don’t need to be a monster track to be an Open qualifying course. It may not have the kudos of some of its neighbours, but don’t let that deter you, as this understated beauty should be considered a must play course in everyone’s Ayrshire itinerary. MPPJ

A very quirky course, which does annoy some people i know, but personally, in this case i find enjoyably interesting. The only real complaint i have is that, as a reasonable golfer, all the bunkering from the tee is superfluous. Obviously the bunkers were placed by Braid in an era when the ball didn't travel as far, but now, if you can hit the ball more than a couple of hundred yards they don't come into play. While this is good for a score, it doesn't feel as if I'm being tested from the tee. Time for a slight makeover? Fun course though.

Irvine is the last of the great courses on the west flank of Scotland that I have played, on a stretch of coast from West Kilbride down to Turnberry. It's not quite up there at the heady heights of Turnberry, Troon or Western Gailes but it can more than hold its own against the likes of Gailes, Barassie and Dundonald.

And yet, compared to those half dozen links courses mentioned, Irvine has more the feel of a heathland course, with gorse and heather keeping fairways tight in many places.

Holes 4 and 5 are charming back-to-back short par fours, each measuring less than 290 yards then hole 6 drops in elevation down to the Garnock River (to the level that a “proper” links would be played).

The first of only two par threes is not played until the 8th and the hardest hole (by far) when I played today was number 12 – two huge bunkers on the left at the kink in the fairway pressure the drive before a long approach can be played to a still distant green.

The second par three on the card allows a wee breather before the biggest surprise of the round – two excellent par four holes to finish.

The 17th has the railway running all the way down the left to a wickedly sloping green before a blind tee shot is played over two enormous, sleepered bunkers up to the final fairway – a thrilling end to a round.

Greens, aprons and bunkers were maintained to the highest standard (which made the use of wee metal bins as tee markers seem quite out of place) but overall, Irvine is a very under rated course in my humble opinion.

Add the fact that the enormous clubhouse is run on a seemingly informal basis – with a very reasonable menu for hungry golfers – and you will understand why it is deserving of a five ball mark.

Jim McCann

This is a really great links.It is tough with several tough par4's especially on the back 9.We were really looked after by the pro who managed to get us out before the members started and this really helped ous to enjoyour round.The holes are each quite different and require good solid iron approaches to get any birdie opportunities.The back 9 in particluar is tough ,but the 17th and 18th (next to the railway) are both fine holes and a great finish.This course may not be as illustrious as some of its neighbours especially Turnberry but is well worth a visit .

Irvine is a fine classic links set a little way away from the shoreline. Some great holes oozing character and charm, including the tricky 4th and 5th, which provide a great test of golf despite their modest length. One of the best of numerous Open Qualifying courses in this area. The greens are quite magnificent and the club is one of the friendliest I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. Well worth playing when in the area and great value too.