This week, the eyes of the golf world are on Royal Troon.
But just 30 minutes from Ayrshire’s royal house coast Here is a hidden gem golf course that is the only one of its kind left in the world.
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There are 18 serene parks in the Irvine Valley (even if they’re located in the shadow of a haunted castle).
Golfing activity in the area has been recorded as far back as the 1600s – meaning golf has been played here since before the R&A was founded in St Andrews.
Or to be more precise, ‘Gouff’ has been played here for almost 500 years.
This isn’t a typing error – goff is actually the original Scottish word for golf.
But as the sport’s popularity grew outside Scotland, the term fell into disuse.
It is not known how many goof clubs there were before the term became obsolete, but it is likely that Loudoun’s was still unique when it was founded.
All we know is that the Loudoun Goof Club, founded in 1909, located between the towns of Galston and Newmilns, is the last remaining goof club in the world.
A glance History The books reveal that there’s a reason behind its distinctive name – and that’s why it’s never been changed.
It all started in Loudoun Castlewhich is almost close to the syllabus.
Club captain David Johnstone, 72, said: “If you’ve heard of Loudoun Castle you’ll remember it’s linked to that.
“Golf has been played there since the 1600s. Loudoun Castle’s history proves this Family Playing ‘Goof’ on their fields.
“We are part of those areas and when we got the lease of the land from Lord Loudoun we just kept the name.”
“The course bears little resemblance to the one played at that time, as it has been developed since the time of the 12 Galston gentlemen.” meet for the purpose of reviving the then extinct Galston Golf Club at the Brown Institute.”
But Loudoun’s unusual name isn’t its only distinctive feature.
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Its motto is “Small club, big heart.” It’s an apt phrase.
Around 1920, a stadium named Hampden was built. park It needed some new ground as it was hosting some important games…
Called to Loudoun and remodelled the pitch using roadside rough next For the golf course.
So it can be said that some of the early legends of Scottish football may have played football on the same grass as some of the golfers of Loudoun.
The course can best be described as a rolling parkland, with many tree-lined fairways and undulating rocks that make the scenery even more attractive – and the challenge – on some holes.
Irishman Sean Lowry heads to his first British Open; Rahm failsOne thing that comes up regularly in discussions among those knowledgeable about Loudoun is the state of the course.
Unlike many parkland settings, a few days of rain doesn’t ruin the course CloseThe drainage is excellent and the greens and fairways are always maintained to a high standard.
Johnstone said: “If you ask people who have played on this course they will tell you the condition of this course is on a par with the best.
“This is a testament to our environmentally friendly employees and tremendous efficiency Work They do it to present it well.”
Loudoun isn’t the longest course, with a back distance of 5,895 yards and a par of 68.
But however quiet this corner of the Ayrshire countryside may be, there’s plenty to keep you on your toes throughout your visit.
Johnstone said: “You have to be very precise about where to put your ball. I’ve hit a lot of our trees!
“My favourite hole is the 12th because it burns, and the third is similar to a lesser extent.
“Some young players can drive the green on the 12th hole, but I can’t. But it’s a hole where if you hit the fairway you’re set for birdie and if you miss you’re set for seven.”
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“Overall, it’s a good test.”
Another oddity is the A71, which runs along the back nine holes.
While the road might strike fear into any right-handed golfer, Johnstone assures us that given the number of golfers who play the course, there have been many times the ball has landed on the golf course. traffic It is relatively less.
We recently compiled a list of Scotland’s hidden golf courses , and Loudoun could certainly be considered one such example.
Being located in Ayrshire it has some great features Competition easily Driving distance such as trump Turnberry, Prestwick and Royal Troon,
All of these venues have hosted the Open Championships At one point or another, but even apart from them, golfers are often tempted by other famous links such as Dundonald, Western Gaels and Glasgow Gales, Kilmarnock Barassi and Irvine Bogside.
You’ll struggle to find better value if you head inland, however Wealth A friendlier welcome than Loudoun—or even more so.
“Identification Love “I can give you a list of people who have played in our Opens who say they have been so impressed with the way they have been welcomed and the way our members have talked to them,” Johnstone said.
“We are a working people’s club. We are established in the community and we do a lot for them Donation,
“We have a partnership with Ayrshire cancer has supported the cause and has raised nearly £300,000 over the years.
“We are as proud of that as we are of the course, and of the fact that we are the only ‘Goff’ club in the world.”
The clubhouse displays the history of the area, and also has a plaque explaining how the club got its unique name.
That history includes aEvil spirit The monster is believed to haunt the nearby Loudoun Castle.
This impressive ruin, nicknamed the ‘Windsor of Scotland’ due to its resemblance to the famous royal residence, was destroyed by a devastating storm. Fire In 1942.
Many have spoken of a Grey Lady who has been haunting visitors ever since. Some also speak of a Black Monk who used to haunt the castle’s chapel.
Of course, this shouldn’t scare you away from the game in Loudoun. In fact, maybe the spirits are desperate for a fun game of golf!
Read more at The Scottish Sun
Most Recent TripAdvisor Review For the course from June 2024, it says: “Excellent course in very good condition. Great value. Credit to the greens staff who have done a fantastic job Work. Worth visiting.”
It’s hard for us to disagree with that.
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