TROON - The enigmatic town of Troon, ever so polite and gentile, looks out onto the Firth of Clyde like one of the grand ocean liners once built further up river. It is a bustling, colourful little community with, it seems, water on one side and golf courses on the other three. Surrounded in this way it has had to give in to the needs of us golf greedy visitors and the town does everything it can to make you feel welcome.

On the north side of town is one of my favourite courses, Barassie, especially now that it has been extended to accommodate its role as an Open qualifying venue. Basically, a new, longer nine hole section has been added to make an 18-hole course of 6,817 yards from the medal tees. Not that there was anything wrong with the old circuit but now we have 27 glorious holes, to play over with the ideal scenario being 18 in the morning, a sensible prolonged lunch in the traditional clubhouse and a lazy nine holes in the afternoon  or vice versa.

The new section is still links, with some great holes and its fairways already in A1 condition. Apart from more movement, you would find it difficult to tell the greens on the new nine from the old. Most memorable of these newcomers is the 4th, a 150-yard, par three with a burn to the left from tee to green complete with a sleeper lined bunker. There are some interesting dog-legs on this section, particularly the 8th, a true par five where it is not possible to cut the corner but better played as its par.

MUNICIPAL COURSES - A few blocks inland from the seafront and literally 50 yards from Troon train station is the starter’s box for Troon’s municipal courses, Darley, Fullarton and Lochgreen. This is where you find the locals playing  two of the three at least match in many ways their more celebrated neighbours. Of these council courses at. Troon, Lochgreen is the longest, a par 74, while its sibling, the Darley course, at par 71, is a tad shorter (6,360 yards). But that doesn’t mean a thing here! The Darley can be quite a bit tougher than Lochgreen with tight fairways criss-crossed by burns and a lot more whins and heather. Three years ago it was rated the 4th hardest course in Scotland to play to your handicap.

The 1st and 18th are par fives while the 5th is a par four of 426 yards that might be as well as a par five. It plays over a ravine of gorse and the fairway is tight where it counts so judicious placement rather than length is essential. It also dog-legs left with a tight, heavily bunkered green position so there is little respite on this hole.

Lochgreen is still, however, the premier, a remarkable public course also used for qualifying rounds for the Open. It is more or less laid out in the middle of the other two. With a total yardage of 6,785, you don’t get away with anything less than confident driving and commanding second shots.The wide open links and long fairways give way to ancient beech trees and lush grass that is difficult to escape from, so a variety of conditions can be experienced.

Then there’s Fullarton, ideal for beginners, its longest hole a mere 441 yards with eight par threes. Any of the three courses here represent great value for money and, considering the amount of traffic, each of them is a tribute to the greenkeeping staff The clubhouse offers full catering facilities and there are newly-upgraded changing rooms.

Of course if you get the chance, whilst in Troon you must play Royal Troon  if only to say you have. It is rather expensive but then an experience of this calibre should be. And let’s face it, it would be worth the expense to go back home and tell everyone that you’ve played the great Royal Troon. Then again, if you are not that vain but still want to play a good linksland course, try the Old Course’s more accommodating neighbour, the Portland. Royal Troon’s second tract is a worthy challenge and favoured by many lady golfers, partly because they cannot play the Old Course unless accompanied by a gentleman member.