The A78 hugs the shoreline and provides numerous stopping areas to absorb the views and take in the fresh air. Our plan was to start in the north of the area and wend our way south taking in the courses and the local ambience. One of Ayrshire’s more unusual golfing venues is found, if you can find it, in the northern most part of the county. The clubhouse is old and charming and the locals are more than happy to give you pointers on how to play their course  if you want them to. For many years Skelmorlie Golf Club had only 13 holes, a full round being completed by covering the first five twice. The new 18-hole course (opened summer 1998) is laid out on the gentle slopes above the village thus many of the fairways slope seaward. Perhaps the most memorable hole is the 430-yard, 7th, a par four with, like so many holes here, a sideways sloping fairway accentuating an already difficult, right-turn dog-leg. Should your drive hold up, a difficult, possibly blind, second shot can be hampered with an awkward lie. A marvellous outlook is on offer from this high, moorland setting, complete with its small flock of sheep.

LARGS - There is something infinitely exciting about the holiday-town of Largs but I can’t quite put my finger on it. Whether it is the ferryport hinting at voyages to distant islands or the host of Italian eateries such as the world famous Nardini’s Restaurant, Scots and foreigners alike have converged on Largs for decades to enjoy its tangy, seaside atmosphere. We sauntered along to the town’s main course, Largs Golf Club, located to the south and overlooking Largs Yacht Haven. It is also backed by the ancient The 9th and 11th greens have recently been improved and are both exceptional holes playing across the "babblin" burn. The 9th is easily reachable from your second shot but the 11th at Stroke Index 1, is best approached from a lay-up.

Closer to town is Auchenharvie Golf Course, a simple, nine-hole, pay-and-play layout near the water, ideal for juniors or beginner golfers. Auchenharvie also sports a small driving range and professional shop next to the clubhouse. Recent planting has helped to further define the course, which also has several water features and an abundance of swans.

IRVINE - The town of Irvine has 2 courses. The inland Ravenspark Course is an 18-hole municipal parkland slightly inland from the more noted Irvine Bogside Course. Ravenspark has been changed in recent years giving it two distinct halves with the older back nine more rolling, links like and interesting. Telephone the club in advance to arrange catering.

Irvine Bogside Golf Club is closer to the coast and represents perhaps the beginning of a run of Ayrshire’s more famous names. It certainly deserves to be amongst them and is a delight in every way but most especially on the greens. There is no doubt that this stretch of Scottish coastline was ideal for the game of golf and the locals have made excellent use of the linksland. Resident golf pro, shop and coaching available. Built between the town, a racecourse and the muddy River Irvine, Bogside’s situation isn’t quite perfect but, when you behold the sensual terrain that this course plays over, you notice little else. The ground rolls and bobs over ancient dune-lands, divided by gorse and lots of heather. Every hole is an individual. Even in the heart of winter the greens are reasonable but, during the season, they are sensational.