The West Kilbride Golf Club was formed in March 1893, after some 4 months of planning and negotiation. A meeting held in November 1892 in the ante-room of the Temperance Hotel, not perhaps a venue immediately connected with golf and golfers, had decided that the creation of a golf course would be a considerable addition to the amenities of the district.

The famous Professional Tom Morris of St Andrews, always dubbed ‘Old Tom’ to distinguish him from his son, was called in to survey the land and with the usual hard-headed self-interest of the Victorian professional golfer, declared it excellent for the purpose.

Things moved quickly in those days and by March 1893 the Club was formally constituted with Nicol P Brown as Captain. Two months later came the official opening by the then Laird of Auchenames, Hugh R G Craufurd, of the 9-hole Course which had a modest wooden shed for a Clubhouse out by the present 3rd green. The Course did not grow to conventional size until April 1905 by which time a new and much improved Clubhouse had been commissioned and occupied.

The West Kilbride Golf Club lies on a beautiful strip of links land and raised beach adjacent to the coastal village of Seamill, West Kilbride and is the most northerly of Ayrshire’s true links courses. With its magnificent views of Arran, Bute and Cowal it makes a wonderful venue for the game and a fine test of golf.

In similar fashion to St. Andrews, the course follows an anti-clockwise route with a loop at the far end around the turn. Unlike St. Andrews though, out of bounds features frequently and nerves of steel are often required.

The entire course is exposed to even the slightest breeze but with the strongest of winds coming from the South West and North West these are the times you will experience links golf at its most demanding. Even in benign weather take care – holes like the 3rd and 13th will catch out those that release a careless drive (or second shot) and the 16th is a links masterpiece to relish.

Extract from the golf club website.