North Gailes Golf Centre

The driving range at North Gailes pulls in serious golfers and casual hackers alike, set on the Ayrshire coast with that bracing wind that either sharpens your game or makes you question your life choices. It's a no-frills setup - you're here to hit balls, not for a clubhouse experience. The range itself is decent enough, with proper practice bays and enough space to work through a bucket without feeling cramped. Expect to pay for balls by the bucket, which is standard fare.

This works best if you're a golfer midway through a break at Parkdean Resorts Sandylands, just five miles down the road. An hour here won't eat into your holiday plans, and it's a good way to loosen up before tackling one of Scotland's proper courses nearby. Non-golfers will find precisely nothing to do - this is functional, not scenic. Even golfers should check opening hours before showing up, as they're not clearly advertised online.

The Scottish coast weather is what it is. Come on a calm day and you'll get some reasonable hitting in. Come when the wind's up and you'll understand why links golf here is taken so seriously. Worth the detour if you're a golfer staying locally. Skip it otherwise.