A Journal for the Thrifty Gowfer
Ayrshire
Troon, Ayrshire
Plate I — Links course — coastal exposure, firm running turf
Private Ayrshire links between Royal Troon and Western Gailes. Open qualifying venue.
Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club is a private links between Royal Troon and Western Gailes on the Ayrshire coast — the third course on this densely packed strip of seaside links. Founded 1887, the Barassie Links has hosted Final Qualifying for the Open Championship and is regarded by those who know the Ayrshire courses well as one of the most underplayed of the group.
Par 72, around 6,600 yards. The course has a more traditional out-and-back routing than some of its neighbours, which means the wind is directly in play for most of the outward and directly behind for the inward (or vice versa). The 7th, a long par 5 played into the prevailing westerly with the Firth of Clyde to the right, is the defining hole. Conditioning is consistently very good for a private club of this scale.
Visitor access is available on weekday visitor days; contact the club directly by phone to book. Handicap certificate required. Green fee is £75–100. For golfers working the Ayrshire strip — Western Gailes, Glasgow Gailes, Barassie, Royal Troon, Prestwick — Barassie provides an excellent mid-range round between the premium venues, and at the visitor green fee it represents the best value serious links golf on the north Ayrshire coast.
The Full Scorecard
Fields marked “Contact club” aren’t public-facing in a way we’ve been able to verify. Call the club directly for these — we’ll update the entry when we have it from source.
Conditions This Week
Scored 0–10 for golf — wind, rain, conditions · Full 7-region forecast →
Location
Troon, Ayrshire · KA10 6SYOpen in OpenStreetMap →
While They Golf
Ayrshire isn't only for the golfers. Walks, drives, distilleries, castles, a long lunch — five picks within thirty minutes of the first tee.
The Ayrshire companion guide →Plan This Round
Where to Stay
Hotels, lodges and self-catering near the first tee. Map-style search via Stay22 covering Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb and Vrbo.
How to Get There
Glasgow Prestwick (PIK) is 20 minutes away by car. Train + onward taxi works for the carless visitor.
Insure Your Round
Most home contents policies don't cover golf clubs in transit. The picker matches you to the right kind of cover in two minutes.
Played here? Consider
Picked for links rounds on the Scottish coast.
Outerwear
Wind off the firth changes club selection two irons. A breathable, fully-waterproof shell that's light enough not to swing in is the single biggest upgrade for Scottish links golf.
Layer
Scottish-made merino — the locals' choice for shoulder-season rounds. Warm enough for a 7am tee time in October, light enough for the back nine when the sun comes out.
Tech
Handles blind tee shots and exposed-coastal yardage cleanly. Battery lasts a 36-hole day; the wind-direction overlay justifies the price on its own.
Stays Nearby
Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering within easy reach of Troon. Tap any property to check rates.
Rates and availability via Stay22. We may earn a small commission if you book — at no extra cost to you. How affiliate links work.
Frequently Asked
Nearby courses
Ayrshire golf hub
Browse all Ayrshire courses →
The Open coast. Royal Troon, Turnberry, Prestwick — the trio that defined links golf, plus the municipal courses that locals quietly play for a tenth of the price.
While they golf — Troon
For the non-golfer in Troon →
Take the A719 south from Troon to Robert Adam's clifftop Culzean Castle or the Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway — both within 20 minutes, no planning needed.
Getting there by train
On TripSCOTAbout 10 minutes by taxi from Barassie. Glasgow Central in 50 min by ScotRail.
Read more about Ayrshire
Spotted a wrong fee, a closed course, or a typo on this page?
Email us a correction →