Darley
This is one of three municipal courses (Lochgreen and the shorter Fullarton being the other two) located in the center of Troon. It is said that more golf happens here on a given day than anywhere in Scotland except perhaps St. Andrews. For a certainty, Troon has the best pay-and-play golf in the country thanks to this municipal facility.
Course description: The Darley course is tight and winding, with heavy gorse and heather, nasty ravines and several blind holes. It is shorter, narrower and trickier than Lochgreen-very much traditional links. The first holes of all three courses parallel one another, as do all three finishing holes.
Year opened: 1905
Par: 71 (6,360 yards)
Signature hole: Darley's most interesting challenges start on the fifth, a 420-yard par four with gorse down the left and thick rough on the right. The green is large but has a very narrow opening.
How to get a tee time: No advance notice is needed, but there may be a wait unless you book a tee time.
Contact: Golf in South Ayrshire, Harling Drive, Troon, Scotland KA10 ONE
Phone: 01144-1292-312464
Pro: Gordan McKinlay
Rentals: Clubs and pull-carts
Carts: None
Caddies: Available with advance notice.
Dress Code: Standard golf attire
Directions: Located in the center of Troon on Harling Drive
Good local pub: The Ardneil, a former hotel at the end of Harling Drive, is the closest, but a five-minute walk toward Royal Troon will bring you to the Marine Highland Hotel, which has a good lounge as well, with a plentiful array of single-malt scotches.
Largs
On rugged landscape above the firth, this lush course is a pastoral idyll. On the grounds, once part of nearby Kelburn Castle, pheasant and deer abound.
Course description: Despite its proximity to the sea, Largs plays as a parklands course. The tree-lined fairways don't allow as much bounce and roll as a links course. On almost every hole there are remarkable views of the Ayrshire coast and the "Sleeping Warrior" profile of Arran.
Year opened: 1891
Par: 70 (6,237 yards)
Signature hole: Darley's most interesting challenges start on the fifth, a 420-yard par four with gorse down the left and thick rough on the right. The green is large but has a very narrow opening.
How to get a tee time: The course welcomes visitors daily, though it appreciates phone calls in advance.
Contact: Largs Golf Club, Irvine Road, Large, Scotland KA30 8EU
Phone: 011441475-673594
Pro: Bob Collinson
Rentals: Clubs and pull-carts can be arranged with advance notice.
Carts: None
Caddies: Junior members are available with advance notice.
Of note: There is another course in Largs, Routenburn Golf Club (01144 1475687240), which was home to well-known swing coach Bob Torrance, father of longtime European PGA pro Sam Torrance. Also an inland course but located right on the seaside, it is shorter than Largs but well worth playing.
Dress Code: Golf attire is fine during the day, but coat and tie are recommended for dinner in the dining room.
Directions from Troon: Drive north on A78 to Large. The golf course entrance is on the right-hand side, 250 yards after the speed limit sign as you enter Largs.
Good local pub: McCabe's, a half mile from the club, feels like an Irish pub, with dart games, ales, single malts and good fellowship in abundance.
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