allan mcmillan

This was my first visit to Machrahanish Dunes, and I have to say I really enjoyed the memorable experience! It is a great piece of rolling links land with many Swales and mounds to make you play different types of shot, and is ideal for chip-and-run approaches at the greens. The turf is beautiful to play on, and it felt like walking on a springy carpet at times. The day was not busy so I took my time to enjoy the day and the gorgeous scenery. <BR><BR>The 1st hole is a gentle dogleg opener of 260 yds. and I sent a blind 4 iron shot with hope in the direction of the green. My second shot required a good 9 iron which I played on to the correct level of the green for opening par. That got my mood set for the day. The putts were all tricky, and an interesting challenge, as the green surfaces follow the contours of this heaving links land. After a slog on the long par 5 3rd, I enjoyed the challenge of the shorter dogleg 4th. It is a truly lovely golf hole, and you have to find the fairway,which I did, running at an angle to your tee shot. The green is tucked away in a secluded dune, but I used a wedge to get the ball to within 6 feet for a great birdie. The par 3 5th and 6th are lovely holes too - one hitting towards the sea, and one away from the sea. No more than a 9 iron or perhaps a wedge is required here. A good drive on the 354 yd. 9th left me in the centre of the fairway, but facing a blind shot approach over a huge ridge. I played a strong 6 iron, which glanced the top of the ridge and went spinning forward to the fringe of the green, where I was relieved to make par for an outward 43. <BR><BR>Climbing to the top of the hill, you come to the 10th tee, which points downhill, giving a great view towards the entire coast, with Islay and Jura on the western horizon. The down hill tee shot is hit towards a lovely hidden punch bowl green, sheltered by a high dune, and here my chip and run shot luckily ended up 4ft. From the pin! The 11th -14th holes are strong, and take you south along the coast and offer plenty of challenge for straight driving,and accurate approaches. The bunkers are so natural looking, with their irregular shapes and long overhanging grasses. I only visited two, and got out of these ok. The par 5 16th is a long beast of 500 yds. running in an alley straight between two dune systems. It takes three good blows to reach the sloping green, and well done if you can get par - I took 6. I did not particularly like the closing two holes, as they cross confusing ground which is quirky to say the least, and difficult to judge because of lay up areas and blind ridges, but I stuck with it, although I bogeyed both for a closing 45 which gave me a round of 88. I left the course with a feeling of satisfaction, and having been challenged to play many different shots. I did enjoy the majority of this layout. I hope to return in the future to try and beat my score. 

Gullane really is a kind of 'golf heaven'. I played course No. 2 after using <A href="/golf-course/gullane-no3" target=_self>No. 3</A> to warm up the day before. The day was dry bust very blustery, with strong winds coming over the Firth of Forth, which made club choices on the round quite a challenge! Holes 11 to 14 are really beautiful and I think this part of the course is as good as No. 1. At the downhill par 3 hole 11, my ball seemed to hang in the windy air for an eternity before settling down on the immaculate bowl-shaped green. Drives on the 13th, 17th and 18th were close to 300 yds. due to the strong following tail wind. This made me smile, as I had battled into and across the wind on the outward nine - sometimes having to 'club up' by a factor of 2 or 3 to reach targets. I recommend this course to anyone who enjoys links golf. It is well laid out and the greens are really excellent. The clubhouse facilities are good as well. I will definitely return here. 

I salute the green staff here at Gullane - They keep all of their courses in fine condition, even through the winter months. The greens were in great shape, and I had a good putting round (27).I was lucky enough to get a glorious afternoon in early March to play Gullane No. 3 course - It is a kind of 'golf heaven' here.The opening hole was safely parred; the short second bogeyed from a bunker, after which I enjoyed peacefully strolling on the springy turf of hole 3 before climbing over the hill to meet a captivating view over the Firth of Forth ( on the 4th).No. 3 is a well laid out course with holes, not too long, that allow golfers to go for the green with their 2nd shots. This proved to be an enjoyable experience for me  on a sunny afternoon, as I was able to keep close to par for most of the round. At this time of year the rough here is not too penal, and this allowed a better shot at the target when not on the short stuff.I managed to complete the round in 3hours 15 minutes without being held up, which added to my satisfaction of the day.The clubhouse and bar staff could not have been more helpful and courteous towards a visitor, and the indoor and practice facilities were both excellent. I will definitely return to this venue and heartily recommend it to others.

I set out on a damp and breezy morning to tackle this lovely parkland course. The test is on straight away as you play uphill dogleg to the distant 1st green. The downhill dogleg 3rd is interesting as it sits right beneath the erskine bridge! The quality of the greens was good and althoughthe bunkers were large, they were not too difficult to escape from. The 6th hole is lovely, as you play alog the banks of the river clyde. What i didn't like about the course were the holes where great mature trees were situated right in the middle of the fairway, as thisd cost me one or two strokes. The long par 4 11th (stroke index 1) is where I did best, firing a 4 iron approach on to the green to get a well deserved par. The dogleg 14th, playing towards the river was another good hole, as I gained my 4 again. The course is over 6,000 yards and is a strategic test for any golfer. The facilities in the hotel were excellent, and I enjoyed my day on this Dave Thomas course.

I played Dundonald on the day of the Royal Wedding, being one of the first out on the course.The fairways were running firm as I sent an approach shot to the lower tier of the 1st green. Unfortunately the pin was cut on the upper section, and I found these elevation-cahnge greens tricky and difficult to judge. A bogey was the inevitable result. This did not dampen my enthusiasm for a really well-kept course, and I remedied my score by parring the 2nd. The choice of tees is geared to suit eery levfle of player, and the design of each hole looks superb from the blues.Strategy and caution are both required on many holes, with bunker placements and small burns guarding the fronts of most greens. The closing four holes is as good as you could wish for on a relatively new links course. I parred the long 14th and also the beautiful 16th hole, flanked by dunes, pines and the railway. The closing hole is a real grandstand finish to a tricky green. I came in one under par and delighted with a great day out on Dundonald. The courtesy and friendliness of the starter is worthy of the best Scottish courses, and the rest of the staff are also a credit to Dundonald Links! 

I played this lovely course on a beautiful morning in March. The hotel facilities could not have been better, and in the warm welcome from the starter I was made to feel quite special. I enjoyed the great challenge that has been laid down by Sam Torrance. He really is a credit to Scottish Golf! He has considiered of every level of player here, and offers interest and challenge from each of the tees. The greens were in fine condition and I really enjoyed the 16th hole - a true gem. The views along the Fife coast to St. Andrews were marvellous, and set me up to come back and play this course again very soon I hope. A Five-ball rating!

I played Dundonald on a calm, sunny February morning and was bowled over by the beautifully kept fairways and greens. Sure, it is not a traditional or long- established links course, but it is surprisingly good nevertheless, and the value is superb.The starter is a real gent who offers good advice before the round, and I got off to a wonderful score with a 4 at the long first hole with its long narrow green. With ithe burn splitting the fairway in half, the 3rd hole is a real conundrum and makes you think carefully about which club to hit. The par 3 6th is a real gem of a hole, the attractive, sloping green sheltered from the west by small pine trees. I really came to life on the back nine, and enjoyed the long par 5 14th,the short but challenging 15th, and the lovely 16th hole (stroke ind.1) undulating along the side of the ayr - glasgow railway. The food and welcome that awaited me at the end of a great round was fantastic. Well done to all the staff at Dundonald for their professionalism and courtesy!

A scorching- hot june day with a stiff southerly breeze saw me teeing up with an iron on the 1st, as I was determined to avoid the 150+ bunkers on the revised Ailsa Course, (I only visited one). The starter was courteous and helpful as he wished me a good round. I scored well, and was delighted to par the lovely short 4th by the Firth of Clyde. The subsequent holes did not disappoint, and I revelled in the beauty from the 9th and 10th holes. Surely there is noe a better golf view in the world! The fairways were running fast, and along with the warm air this carried my ball further than usual. I was able to make birdie on the difficult 16th hole from a tricky approach shot across the green-hugging burn.By now I didn't want the round to end, and I thought of Tom Watson, and all that he achieved as I putted out on the 18th.This is my type of course - much preferable to the parkland where I usually play. I can safely say that The Ailsa is the greatest course I have ever played, and it was a privelege to be out on the Ailsa Course on a day like this. It really was dream come true!

I arrived on the first tee on a sunny February afternoon. I was the last man on the course and the starter could not have been more helpful in his advice and encouragement. Playing from the blue tees I could see this magnificent course just as Kyle Phillips had planned it. A feeling of having the place to yourself as you stroll down each well laid out fairway and approach the large but very tricky greens. The clusters of pines were shining around each green as the winter sun illuminated every swale and hollow on this under-rated layout. The sixth hole is a little beauty, with fair but challenging tests around the green. Another favourite of minbe is the long par 4 sixteenth,which hugs the railway line south, where I considered myself as doing well at the end of the day, witht the light slowly fading, to score a 5. The welcome and the facilities back at the clubhouse were excellent, and I will definitely return to play here again.

I came to this course with great anticipation, having watched the 2009 open qualifiers tackle it's subtle features. The course, designed by Willie Park, is not ostentatious or dramatic, but it gives a true test of your game, especially if you are in the higher handicap category.There are few hilly inclines or blind shots, which appeals to me. The fairways are gently undulating, and the greens run subtle and true. I particularly enjoyed the long dog-legging par 5 5th hole, as I hit the green in three and rejoiced in my birdie four. The short 6th and 15th holes are both delightful par 3 holes, which need perfect judgement if you are to avoid the seas of swaying gorse. The closing holes, which I made in gente evening sunshine, wind you gracefully home in a satisfying climax to a truly great Ayrshire links course. Round completed, the friendliness of the staff and quality of the meal that awaits you is well worth a full day visit.Be assured, I will be back!

Western Gailes deserves to be higher on the list of great British Golf Courses. It has stunning natural beauty and a rugged grandeur that leaves a memorable impression on the visitor. On a day of brisk wind and sunshine, I kept the ball low and managed to compete with the undulating links. The holes from 4 to 9 were a joy to play and the quality of the fairways and greens were the best I have experienced. The standards in the clubhouse are also first class. I'll be back soon!

I played this course for the second time on a warm, sunny September evening this year. It was a delight! The fairways were running firmly and the greens were in excellent condition, and the course was quiet. I think it’s a very good test of a golfer’s game, and I scored quite consistently, with the help of the useful sprinkler yardage markers. The welcome and care of the resident professional couldn’t have been better, and I will definitely return to this impressive course in the future. 

I played this gem of a course for the first time on May 1st, 2008. The condition of the greens was perfect and they ran true. The fairways were undulating and presented strategic challenges. I thought the holes were varied and interesting, and the views of the surrounding Ayrshire coast on  a sunny evening were stunning! My favourite hole was the 16th 'Tom Morris'. A twisting, undulating hole of great character. Well worth playing this course as it is true links standard and  a real gem!

I played Darley on a fine spring morning. The course looked and played great. The uninspiring 2nd and 3rd holes soon gave way to beautiful fairways and greens from 5th through to the 15th.The 18th is a challenging, but fair par 5, and I made par to complete a round of 64.Perhaps more directions could be provided for the visitor unfamiliar with the layout, but otherwise, it's a litte cracker!

It's definitely a challenge and a good addition to the great links golf courses of Ayrshire.Obviously it's not as natural as the neighbouring Gailes courses, but give it time and it will mature into a winner.

I played this excellent course on a challenging day of gusting wind and squalls of heavy rain, and I enjoyed every minute! It is a very well designed course, with many varied hole layouts and the quality of the putting surfaces in December is superb.I really enjoyed playing down the par 5 18th, as I put all my best shots together to make birdie.The warm atmosphere of the lounge bar was very welcome after the 4 hour buffeting dished out to us on the golf course. I look forward to returning here.

What a golf course! I'm stunned.This is simply Scottish Links Golf at its very best.Everyone who is interested in the game should play here at least once.It beats all others hands down!

I played a round in October,2007.The course was in excellent condition and I found each hole to be an interesting challenge.Greens were fast and smooth.I particularly enjoyed the closing 6 holes, and would rate Glasgow Gailes as one of my top courses played so far. The hospitality and food were both of good quality, and I hope to play here next year.