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Birdie Brae

A Journal for the Thrifty Gowfer

Ayrshire

Irvine Golf Club (Bogside)

Irvine, Ayrshire

Plate I — Links course — coastal exposure, firm running turf

Holes
18
—
Par
71
—
Type
Links
Ayrshire
Walkability
★★★★☆
Confirmed 5/5
Best Season
May–Sep
Scottish season
Visitor Access
Open
Mid-week ideal

Green Fees 2026

£90–£125 for a visitor round at Irvine Golf Club (Bogside). Checked against the club's published rates on 31 October 2026.

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 and the municipal Troon Links courses and provides the best-value serious links round on the strip.

Local Knowledge

You've played here. We haven't been everywhere.

Tell us one thing a visitor should know about Irvine Golf Club (Bogside) — the wind, the hole everyone underclubs, where to eat afterwards. We read every one, and the good ones end up on this page, with your name on them if you want it.

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
Contact club

Visitor

Dress code
Contact club
Spikes
Contact club
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
Kilwinning
Nearest airport
Contact club
Parking
Contact club
Wi-Fi
Contact club
Card payment
Contact club
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.

These are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through one we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you — how affiliate links work.

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.

How much does it cost to play at Irvine Golf Club (Bogside)?
A visitor round costs £90–£125, checked against the club's published rates on 31 October 2026.
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.
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 to September for full conditions. Late April and early October are quietest with fair value. Most Scottish courses are open year-round but run winter mats and temporary greens after frost.
Cite this page: birdiebrae.co.uk/courses/irvine-golf-club-bogsideLast verified 31 October 2026 by Birdie Brae editorial · Report a change

The Sunday Post

A good round, a fair fee, and a story from the clubhouse.

One email, most Sundays. No affiliate spam, no drip funnel, no nonsense. Just the tee time we'd book this week, the muni we'd play before work, and one piece of Scottish golf history worth the read.

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