Golf South Ayrshire

Troon Lochgreen Golf Course

Lochgreen is the best of the trio of municipal courses on the east side of the popular holiday town of Troon. They each offer an excellent golfing experience and at a fraction of the royal fee charged at their more aristocratic neighbours. Lochgreen is the longer course, a Par 74 running parallel at points to Royal Troon and used for several years as a qualifier for the Open. Jack Nicklaus shot an 82 here in an Open Qualifier followed by a more appropriate 68 making the cut buy one shot.

Although Lochgreen is predominately a links type course, the layout is truly varied, with one stretch - known as the 'Dovecot Section' - providing holes of a more parkland type character. The course has several holes that are reminiscent of its royal neighbour and one hole in particular - the fifth - would do justice to any championship test. At well over 400 yards the hole runs parallel to the same railway that borders the championship course, with bunkers and gorse providing additional hazards. The par three that follows offers no respite and the golfer who misses the gorse-surrounded green would do well to play a provisional ball.

It was during the 1962 Open qualifier that Australian Kel Nagle set the present course record of 65, with the amateur record of 66 being set at the same time by Martin Christmas. Both golfers doubtless celebrated their feats in the Bunker Bar and Restaurant that forms part of the spacious clubhouse shared by Darley, Lochgreen and Fullarton.

"Lochgreen has been used as an Open Qualifier and is a course of links quality with many holes reminiscent of its close neighbour Royal Troon. You don't get away with anything less than confident driving and commanding second shots."
David Whyte