Troon Municipal Golf Course (Darley Course)

A magical seaside municipal in Ayrshire. But while you’ll be splashing out well over three figures to tee it up at Troon and Turnberry, you only need to part with just over a tenner for the privilege of tackling the delightful Darley, which is one of a trio of links on this site (Lochgreen and Fullarton are the others).

With its tight heath and gorse-lined fairways, the Darley is one of the toughest in the area, including the Open venues. Darley is a true links as in the wildcat variety. It has feline ferocity and abounds with the renowned Scottish hazards of heather, gorse and whin. Although not as long as Lochgreen, it is a tough test of golf, demanding the most accurate of drives.

The original Darley course seems to date from around 1910 and the present course with an original bogey (par) of 71 was opened on June 9th 1951. The course was recently rated as the fourth most difficult in Scotland to play to your handicap on if you score well here you have played very well indeed.

Strong points: You’re playing on classic linksland, with great turf, and it’s hard to believe you can play for less than a tenner mid-week with 2-Fore!-1. Weak points: Some parts of the course were not in the best nick. And because it’s extremely popular, it’s extremely busy. Star hole is the long par-4 5th, You’re firing into an undulating green impressively framed by pine trees.

More Top 2-FORE!-1 links courses

Darley is a true links protected by heather and gorse and for a reasonably cheap price it's great value.

Despite it's short length the narrow fairways at Darley make it one for the accurate player.

• Course has: Bar
• Course does not have: Buggy Hire
• Course does not have: Driving Range
• Course has: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course has: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course does not have: Handicap

• 4 out of 5 Darley delight 23 November 2011

  By Anonymous

  Arrived at the lovely old clubhouse that serves the 3 Troon municipal courses. Went to book in at the Starters Hut (prior to a great sausage roll and tea before teeing off) the starter was very polite and professional and when we told him we had booked the Darley, he was very helpful and asked if we had played the course before, when we said we had not. He wished us good luck and asked if we had lots of balls !!! The 3 courses all start from what looks like a village green and fan off in different directions. The first 3 holes at the Darley were routine and yielded pars, from the 4th onwards though this is a brilliant test of links golf, with several blind tee shots and undulating fairways. Yes we needed several balls, but were truly impressed with this gem of a golf course. Thoroughly enjoyed playing this course and next time we venture North will play the other 2 as well - especially at 2 fore 1 prices as it worked out under £15 (including the Sausage roll)

• 4 out of 5 Can't believe this is a municiple 13 July 2009

  By theroyston

  Have now played this course on 3 occasions and relish going back for another challenge.  Not for the faint hearted, but if you like a challenge then this is the course for you.  A visit is higly recommended, you will not be dissappointed

• 4 out of 5 fab 12 August 2006

  By Anonymous

  this is an excellent course the greens are superb if you hit the fairways the ball runs on if you don't you're in trouble with heather and gorse lining most fairways one of the best council courses you will play onand ischeap as well