“One of the world’s truly great tests of links golf” – Sandy Lyle, Open Champion 1985 and Masters Champion 1988.

Gailes Links lies on a marvellous stretch of links land between Troon and Irvine on the Ayrshire coast. With its undulating fairways, fine greens and subtle qualities, it is a classic links layout. At 6,903 yards long from the championship tees with a par of 71, Gailes is a tough test but medium tees provide a fine test for players of all abilities.

Former Open Champion Willie Park designed the course and kept his designs simple. He wasn’t a believer in creating greens with dramatic slopes, did not much favour “blind” shots, and particularly in the case of Gailes, left the glorious heather and gorse untouched. He always believed Gailes to be one of his best creations.

The course is home to the Glasgow Golf Club, founded in 1787 and the ninth oldest club in the world. It frequently plays host to Open Championship qualifying and will be the venue for the 2012 Home Internationals.

Golf Monthly rates Gailes Links in the top 100 courses in the UK.