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Birdie Brae

A Journal for the Thrifty Gowfer

Ayrshire

Irvine Golf Club (Bogside)

Irvine, Ayrshire

Plate ILinks course — coastal exposure, firm running turf

Holes
18
Par
71
Type
Links
Ayrshire
Walkability
★★★★☆
Confirmed 5/5
Best Season
May–Sep
Year-round, best Apr–Oct
Visitor Access
Open
Mid-week ideal

Traditional Ayrshire links used as Open Championship qualifying.

From the Notebook

Irvine Golf Club at Bogside is the middle course on the Gailes links strip — sandwiched between the Glasgow Gailes to the south and Western Gailes to the north on the same piece of Ayrshire coastline. Founded 1887, the course is a traditional links of 6,400 yards, par 71, with the Firth of Clyde defining the western boundary and the railway the eastern.

The course has been used as Final Qualifying for the Open Championship — the credential shared with its two neighbours — and the playing standard is consistent with that. The fairways are tighter than the description of the terrain might suggest; the rough alongside them is genuine links rough that penalises even slight errors from the tee. The 7th is a demanding par 5 that runs directly into the prevailing westerly from the Firth, playing considerably longer than its measured distance when the wind is up. The 13th reverses the player's direction through a narrower section of ground where the boundary on both sides comes closer than the card implies; it requires straight rather than long.

Visitor green fee is £90–£125 (2026), the most affordable round on this stretch of coast. Visitor access by advance booking; phone the club directly. Caddies not available. For golfers working the Ayrshire coast on a budget, Bogside sits between the premium Western Gailes (£120+) and the truly budget Troon Municipal (£20–28) and provides the best-value serious links round on the strip.

One Hole Worth Talking About

The hole everyone remembers.

7Par 5 · 545 yards

Into the Firth

The 7th turns directly west into the Firth of Clyde wind — the Firth is visible from the fairway, and the course is exposed along its entire western boundary to whatever is coming off the water. On a calm day this is a comfortable three-shot hole that finishes with a short approach. On a day with a proper westerly, which Ayrshire produces regularly from September through April, the hole stretches well beyond its measured distance and the third shot becomes a long iron rather than a wedge. Bogside sits between Western Gailes and Glasgow Gailes on the same coastal strip; what this hole gets in full wind, the neighbouring courses get in equal measure.

The Full Scorecard

Everything else you might want to know.

Course

Designer
James Braid, 1925–26
Founded
1887
Style era
Contact club
Yardage (W)
Contact club
Yardage (Y)
Contact club
Yardage (R)
Contact club
Course rating
Contact club
Slope rating
Contact club
Bunkers
Contact club
Greens
Contact club
Walking time
Contact club
Open season
Year-round, best Apr–Oct

Visitor

Dress code
Smart casual, collared shirts
Spikes
Soft only
Booking
Contact club
Twilight
Contact club
Winter rate
Contact club
Senior
Contact club
Junior
Contact club
Buggy
Not available
Trolley
Contact club
Caddie
Contact club

Practical

Address
Irvine, Ayrshire, KA12 8SN
Phone
01294 275979
Nearest train
Troon or Prestwick
Nearest airport
Glasgow Prestwick (PIK) (20 min)
Parking
Free
Wi-Fi
Yes, clubhouse
Card payment
Yes
Membership
Contact club
Joining fee
Contact club
Waiting list
Contact club

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

What's the weather doing?

Fetching conditions…

Scored 0–10 for golf — wind, rain, conditions · Full 7-region forecast →

Location

Irvine Golf Club (Bogside) on the map

Irvine, Ayrshire · KA12 8SNOpen in OpenStreetMap →

While They Golf

For the non-golfer in the party.

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

Three things to sort before you tee off.

Played here? Consider

Three things worth packing.

Picked for links rounds on the Scottish coast.

Outerwear

Galvin Green Andres jacket

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

Sunderland of Scotland half-zip

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

Garmin Approach S70 GPS

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

Where to stay near Irvine

Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering within easy reach of Irvine. 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

Visitors usually want to know.

Can visitors play at weekends?
Visitors are welcome but mid-week is markedly easier and quieter. Confirm a weekend tee time as far ahead as you can — popular Saturdays book up first.
How early can I book a tee time?
Phone or email the pro shop to confirm. Most Scottish clubs accept visitor bookings 7–30 days ahead; group bookings of 8+ can be arranged further ahead.
Is there a dress code?
Smart casual, collared shirts. Soft only.
Are buggies allowed?
Buggies are not generally available — the course is walked. Hire a trolley at the pro shop if you'd rather not carry.
What's the best time of year to play?
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep for full conditions. Late May and early Sep are quietest with fair value. Year-round, best Apr–Oct.
Cite this page: birdiebrae.co.uk/courses/irvine-golf-club-bogsideLast verified 10 June 2026 by Birdie Brae editorial · Report a change

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