Just five miles down the road from Stevenston is a hotel that will win the hearts of golfers around the world. The Gailes Hotel, built in 1995, is a picturesque hotel and restaurant complex that is within close proximity to a large number of golf courses. Nearby, the North Gailes Golf and Leisure Complex offers a spa, health club, driving range, two 9-hole courses, bar and excellent coffee shop.

Rooms at the Gailes Hotel are spacious and well appointed, with beautiful views. Super king-size beds and carpets that your feet sink into are just a couple of the touches that will make you feel like you are in the lap of luxury. If you have children with you, they offer family rooms with additional beds. The family rooms accommodate four guests.

Located down the coast a few miles south of Stevenston, on the outskirts of Irvine, is the Menzies Irvine. This 4-star hotel has recently undergone extensive renovations and it exudes an atmosphere of elegance without being stuffy. Its 128 guest rooms are large and very nicely furnished, the restaurant serves dishes that are appealing and tasty, the attached junior 9-hole golf course and the sheer number of excellent golf courses in the neighboring towns are all reasons that this hotel draws guests from near and far.

If a Bed and Breakfast is more to your liking, a short distance from Stevenston  is the Ardeer Farm Steading. At the edge of a working farm, this 4-star luxury bed and breakfast has six guest rooms that are luxuriously appointed. From the attractive guest rooms to the power showers to the LCD televisions and free Wi-Fi access, guests are not left wanting. This will be especially true once they incorporate the planned free international calling.

Bed and breakfast guests can start their day with a hearty Scottish breakfast or can nibble on a light Continental offering. Although Ardeer Farm Steading doesn’t serve other meals, there are many good restaurants in the surrounding towns. In Ayrshire, nothing is very far away.

In addition to the bed and breakfast rooms, the Ardeer Farm Steading has two guest cottages that are equipped with kitchen facilities. The cottages are, like the guest rooms, furnished with taste and have been modernized. The cottages are equipped with everything you need on a holiday. The only thing missing is Wi-Fi access and DVDs which they are planning to include.

A scant mile from Stevenston’s town center is the Auchenharvie Golf Course. This nine-hole golf course opened in 1983. It was designed so that it can be played as eighteen holes using different tee off positions on the second time around. A relatively easy course, water features have been well incorporated into it.

For those that just want to practice, there is a driving range that can accommodate eighteen people at a time. Whether you want a fast 9-hole game, a more leisurely 18-hole golf game, or want to hit a few buckets to work on your drive; there will be a course (or two) to meet your needs.

A few miles south of Stevenston, near Castlepark, is Western Gailes Golf Club. Founded in 1897, this world-class golf course was formed to provide a seaside golf course for those inland residents that did not want to play with industrial fog hanging over their heads, as well as providing year round golfing. In its early years, a train station was built to allow members an easy trip to the club. Although the train no longer runs, it is still a feature of the golf course.

As with so many golf courses in Ayrshire, Tom Morris was the first groundskeeper. From the formation of the club, the first 9 holes were ready for use about a year later. World War II and Mother Nature have had a hand in the redevelopment of the course. Tank maneuvers took a toll on several holes so, in order to allow for a harbour access road, there was a redesign of the 3rd, 4th and 5th holes.

With several other golf courses in close proximity, if you are a golfer, you will not be at a loss for something to do. Just grab your clubs and head off to a golf course. Before you go though, checks to see what the rules of the club are. The rules may determine what you wear.

Initially located in Stevenston’s Sandyhills, Ardeer Golf Club was formed in 1880. The 9-hole course was well received and the Club relocated to the Ardeer area in 1905. The new course was set between the town and the sea on land that was owned by ICI (Imperial Chemicals Industries Ltd). Many of the early members were drawn from ICI including a three-time Scottish Amateur champion, Hamilton McInally.

A testament to the course and Ardeer Golf Club is the caliber of some of its members. Jamie Anderson and Willie Fernie, both winners of the British Open, joined the Ardeer Golf Club after their wins.

World War II saw the taking over of three of the holes by ICI for its war duty. Once the war was over, the holes were completely restored through the efforts of the talented head green keeper and club master David Fry. It is a testament to the man’s skills that the course was as challenging after the restoration as before.

In the 1960’s, the membership was devastated to learn that ICI required the land and clubhouse for the construction of a new factory. After many meetings and challenges, it was decided to relocate the Club to part of Lochend. The greens were lifted by the members and re-laid at the Club’s current location.

Due to the continuing improvements by the Ardeer Golf Club, the course has made this course a pleasure to play. From the initial boggy land that allowed for dry weather play, improved drainage has led to year round golfing.