LINKS75 gets up before we have gone to bed and takes us towards Arran’s constraining coastline – The Firth of Clyde. Still half asleep we are systematically interrogated in the bar before we head out onto the course. It lies alongside the sea with the Isle of Arran as backdrop. One of the course committee’s members questions us about our playing schedule for the week before he assures us that the greens are excellent. We tee off on the 1st filled with pleasure which is quickly extinguished after visits to both burn and a shank-thicket. Shame on us for feeling remorse. Here, nothing can diminish our pleasure. The 2nd – a classic, convoluted par 4 – has a sighting marker askew and an elevated green – links delight.
Doublegreen, West Kilbride
We move on towards the course’s turning point. Out at sea we see the ferry “Calmac” heading towards Brodick – the crossing we will make tomorrow. Some members behind us are too pro-active, and need reminding of golf’s etiquette. The 10th – a par 4 – plays out towards the sea and the wonderful scent of kelp. The 11th – a short par 4 – plays uphill. The 13th – a par 4 – a slight dogleg right has a wall to the right of the green protecting the sea. The group in front wave us through and we are in pole position for birdie. Links golf of the highest class. The 14th is a short par 4 that seriously flirts with the wall on the approach – a feeling of deja vu from North Berwick.
14th, West Kilbride
The 16th has the wall to the right above the beach and the sea and protects us from the wind and we can therefore proceed with few worries. On the 17th – a neighbour of rank – a ball-collecting member joins us and gives constructive feedback when we land a couple of 5-woods on the course’s only double green. The finishing 18th takes us back to the clubhouse. A links course to get you started – with the scent of the sea.
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