Troon Darley Ayrshire

The original Darley Golf Course seems to date from around 1910. The present course, with an original ‘bogey’ (par) of 71 was opened on June 9th, 1951. If Darley is slightly shorter than Lochgreen it is certainly tighter with unforgiving heather and gorse hugging both sides of many fairways.

A relatively benign opening only serves to accentuate the challenge presented by the subsequent holes, with a particularly difficult stretch coming between the 5th and 15th. Darley is indeed a challenge demanding the straightest of tee shots to avoid the renowned Scottish hazards of heather, gorse and whin which abound.

Challenging, strategic and a true test of golf is how the locals describe Darley, which, like its sister course Lochgreen is also considered of the links variety. Darley is rated as the fourth most difficult course in Scotland to play to your handicap! “Darley is a true links, as in the wildcat variety. It has true feline ferocity and should be approached with extreme caution!” David Whyte