Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club now offers the visitor twenty-seven holes. With the addition of nine new holes on land between Barassie and the new Southern Gailes course, the club now has a lengthened eighteen hole Championship Links complemented by perhaps the best nine hole course in Scotland.

THE BARASSIE LINKS

The main course which incorporates nine of the original and the nine new holes is the Barassie Links and offers one of the most challenging links layout in Scotland. It has already hosted the British Amateur Championships along with Prestwick, the European Youths, a Final Open Qualifying and in 2004 the venue for the Junior Open prior to the Open Championship at Royal Troon.

The challenge is best expressed perhaps by the Par 72 and the Standard Scratch of 74. Barassie Links measures in at 6817 off the medal tees and continues to cause the player - visitor and member alike - a continuing challenge. The new layout has already hosted the Open Championship Final Qualifying, The British Amateur and the European Youths Championship as well as the 2001 British Ladies.

A full description of all of the holes, its layout and photographs are available by clicking here

THE DUNDONALD COURSE

The Dundonald Course, is like the Barassie Links a composite of the new nine holes and the other nine holes from the traditional course. The combination shortens the course to 6107 yards from the White Tees. The Dundonald is known locally as "the Winter Course" and offers some respite for members and visitors from the worst of the winter weather by providing a shorter layout. The course still offers a very challenging Par 69 with one par five and four par threes - three of these on the front nine.

THE HILLHOUSE

The Hillhouse has been described by many visitors as "the best nine hole course they've ever played” and it's hardly surprising when you consider that these particular nine holes made up half of the traditional golf course and as part of that particular layout has hosted a whole series of events in its one hundred year plus history.

As a nine hole layout the Hillhouse is playable as part of a 27 hole package with the Barassie Links and for many societies the 27 hole option is chosen as being easier on the legs! Nine holes after eighteen morning holes and a long lunch - or alternatively warm up in the morning over the Hillhouse before accepting the challenge of The Links! Whatever order it makes for a superb day's golf.

At 2888 and a Par 34 the nine holes is a most enjoyable way to play links golf and is undoubtedly not your normal nine hole layout.