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Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club © 2006, Richard & Mary-Alice Jafolla Links Golf Without the Sea This golf course was born very close to two of the great golf courses in Scotland--Troon and Turnberry. And so like those great golfers who plied their skills in the shadow of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus or those who are now playing in the shadow of Tiger Woods, Kilmarnock Golf Club suffers in comparison. Not as physically beautiful as the classic Scottish links golf course, it is nonetheless a traditional links golf course with undulating fairways, fierce rough and punishing bunkers. And given the fact that it has been used as a final qualifying golf course when the Open Championship was played at Troon and Turnberry, it is obviously worth a play.
Not For the Faint of Heart Barassie is a relatively long golf course by Scottish golfing standards. Measuring 6,817 yards off the medal tees, it has seven par 4s over 400 yards. With the almost constant wind that blows in Scotland, this can be a real problem if that wind is in your face (which it always seems to be!). Anyone who has played Barassie years ago will be pleased to know there have been nine new holes added--but they haven't made the course any easier. In fact, the long 425 yard hole number 3, which was the number one stroke index (SI) hole, is the same hole but now has a SI of 3. That means there are two new holes that are tougher than it. Bad news for those who thought the added nine would make the golf course any easier. In fact the par 72, SS rating of 74, proves it is not! Barassie has rather large greens with the usual undulations that make putting on Scottish links so challenging. The greens, however, are kept in great shape. There are deep bunkers not only surrounding the greens but in the fairways as well. In the States fairway bunkers seldom cost more than half a stroke. Not so in Scotland, where bunkers mean business. You won't go hitting a fairway wood out of any of these. There are quite a few doglegs, too. I feel these always add interest to the game. Especially noteworthy is the new double dogleg #8, a 539 yard par 5 just about unreachable in two. The first hole is the kind I appreciate. At 506 yards and a par 5 it is a gentle introduction to a day of golf. Hit the ball straight--not necessarily long--and you'll get your par. Number 2, though, quickly brings you to your senses. It doesn't look like much at only 302 yards, but its SI rating of 5th most difficult should tell you something about it. Fierce bunkers guard both sides of the fairway and 4 more guard the green. Any mistake is costly. Number 3 will not give you any mercy either. As I mentioned above, it was the most difficult hole on the golf course before the new holes were added and it hasn't gotten any easier. It's a 425 yard par 4 and you will need a great drive to get you into position for any kind of chance at par. This hole can wreck your score and your confidence. The green slopes toward 2 bunkers on the right, so be warned. Four holes later you are faced with the most difficult hole on the golf course--number 7. This 439 yard par 4 has undulations in the fairway as if a pod of whales has been planted there, so even a good drive can give you a sidehill lie. The green is guarded by mounds and bunkers. This hole is definitely a challenge, and you can be satisfied with a par or even a bogie. Plentiful, strategically placed fairway bunkers, humpback green fronts, mounds, gorse, whins, rippled fairways, tiered greens-- Barassie has it all. It's a golf course you'd do well to think your way around. Hitting the ball hard and long is not always the play if your driving is not always accurate. A judicious use of your 3 wood for a more accurate tee shot will serve you well. It will keep you short of some of the fairway bunkers and will put you in position to go for the green with the greenside bunkers taken out of play.
The Golf Nook Scotland rating is PAR. Miscellaneous - Visitors are welcome on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday Fees: April thru September - Weekdays - £50 for the day Weekends - £60 per 18 holes October thru December Weekdays & weekends £30 A £10 deposit, fully applicable to your green's fee, is required for all reservations. Electric buggies are available for £20 per 18 holes. A Great Bargain - Here's an offer you can't refuse. For only £125 you can play Barassie, Glasgow Gailes, and Irvine Bogside. That works out to a better than 3 for the price of 2 offer. And these are great golf courses--among the best in Scotland. If you're going to be in the area for a few days, take advantage of it. You'll get a real taste of Scottish golf at its best. Scorecard:
Secretary: Donald Wilson - (0)1292 313920 info@kbgc.co.uk Professional: Gregor Howie (0)1292 311322 Barassie Golf Club 29 Hillhouse Rd. Barassie, Troon KA10 6SY Scotland www.barassie.net For What To Do All Day, please visit the Ayrshire page. |
