Largs Golf Club

Playing Largs for the first time as an American visitor was a fine experience, and when I finished its obvious quality did beg the question of whether this course is flawed in any significant way. My conclusion was a resounding “no.” The layout is superb, the setting aesthetic and tranquil, and the conditions outstanding. Beyond this, the course is a great deal of fun to play despite its inherent challenges.

PLAYING EXPERIENCE:

Largs begins with a trio of interesting holes, starting with the moderately difficult and intricate par-3 first (144 yards). Green one is set upon a kind of shelf embedded into the hillside, which makes the uphill tee shot tough to gauge. The shallow green is also tilted back to front and very slick downhill. The second hole, a beauty of a par-4 with a commanding view from a high tee, plays to a broad fairway, and then, farther down the hill, to an area from which the player may choose to bounce the ball onto the putting surface. The third is a relatively easy par-5, yet it nonetheless poses a second-shot dilemma because a pesky burn fronts the green. The hole can still be birdied with an accurate pitch as a third shot.

The front nine’s latter holes play as rolling parkland—rather than woodland—on a course that seamlessly mixes the two styles. Hole six, named “Castle” by virtue of its backdrop, is among the more attractive holes, all of which teem with handsome scenery. It is not the longest par-4 on the front side, but plays tough: uphill from the tee, downhill on the tricky approach to a bunker-guarded green whose opening for potential run-on shots is narrow. The longish par-4 ninth is equally aesthetic, but only a bit less strenuous. It glides uphill gradually, skirting woods to the left, traversing a stream, and ending on a double-tiered green set several feet above grade.

At the tenth, the signature hole at Largs, you’ll begin the inward half with one of the layout’s most striking challenges. Its fairway framed beautifully by ancient and majestic trees, the tenth doglegs left and concludes on a magnificent green complex that is as interesting as it is forbidding, looking much like a Pete Dye creation. The dogleg-right eleventh ups the ante further: it’s a great driving hole with perhaps the most difficult uphill approach at Largs, concluding a perched green set some thirty feet above the fairway. The steep rise prior to this green rejects nearly all mis-played or mis-hit approach. Yet pitching from the front of this green may add to the fun. Twelve is another standout hole and perhaps the better five-par here of the two. What excited me most was the enticing downhill tee shot from an elevated tee, in view of a fairway wide enough to encourage a big smash with the driver. On the second shot, the well-contoured but accessible green may be within reach for many players.

Three more holes add further interest to the back nine’s finish. There is the impressive fifteenth—the number 1 index—a long par-4 made tough by its sheer length but also fair by an accessible green. Green fifteen is fortified by a burn hidden behind it, along with the road to the left. Then there is clever seventeenth, a fiendish little two-shotter that tempts you to hit driver somewhere between (or beyond) the two mature trees framing the landing zone, a zone that ends just before the fairway scampers up to a narrow green. On the green’s left flank, the putting surface features a precarious drop-off where a double-bogey or worse may occur seemingly in the blink of an eye. This is a drive-and-pitch affair that ironically demands cautious play. Finally, there is the beautiful but tricky finishing hole, a par-4 ending on a two-tiered green set high above the fairway. The uphill drive at eighteen must be relatively straight, yet it cannot be sprayed left nor right as hazards await. Still, it is the second shot that demands the most precision if you hope to hit the tier on which the pin is set.

CONDITIONS:

A-one conditioning throughout, although the greens, bunkers, and greenside areas were especially impressive. Tees and roughs were also well-tended. Lies are predictable and consistent throughout the course. The greens were fast, smooth, true, and lightning-quick when putting downhill. If there is a better conditioned public-access course I’ve played over the past three or four years (out of about a hundred), I can’t think of it.

A FEW OTHER NOTES:

--Excellent pro shop, service and hospitality at check-in. The pro was personable and friendly.

--Great looking clubhouse.

--Terrific, panoramic views from the first tee and overlooking the eighteenth green.

--Pace of play never lagged.

--Bunkers are a key hazard: greenside bunkering is profuse with nearly every green protected by at least two traps; there is also a smattering of fairway bunkers.

--Hole # 14: A short par-3 featuring a narrow green surrounded by seven bunkers.

--Be careful crossing the road between green four and tee five.

--The course definitely is not “flat,” as I heard someone describe; it is only relatively flat over most of the middle holes.

--Perfect putting green and a small, two-tee net into which you can hit balls (as warm-up) prior to teeing off at the first.

--Easy to find.

SOME CONCLUSIONS:

Largs appears short on the card at 6204 yards from the back tees, but the par is 70, the slope 131, and the holes demand careful play rather than sheer aggression. Variety in hole design is a great part of the appeal, especially because the course boasts many imaginative par-4s, both long and short. The par-3s are good as a group, but may be my one minor area for quibbling, as they don’t quite measure up to the rest of the layout. The greens hold well and, though this is not a links course, the fairways typically bump and roll and wave their way to the greens. A strong stretch of original and beautiful holes from nine through twelve is a distinctive highlight. Add to that a visually striking layout and setting, with a feeling of serenity on nearly every hole.

Above all, playing this course made me aware of its several wow factors, not merely one. It’s worth a visit by any serious golfer.

Course was very wet But was expected considering the amount of rain we had before

Apart from that excellent course layout

Will be back in the summer to play Ayrshire’s Augusta

I played in early March and although there were winter tees, they were well placed and in good condition. Most of the greens were open and the few that were temporary tees were in good condition. A good course iI would be please to visit again and again.

Played a two ball , fantastic course and layout, green team seem to have got there work done brilliantly greens were great , warm welcome from pro and advice of the course , catering staff offering a great selection of food and cold and warm drinks, would recommend playing to any golfer , look forward to returning, thanks

Suitable for all handicaps and good mix of issues fir yiu to pick different shots for.

Was a great course and well set out. Staff was really helpful and friendly, will definitely be returning.

Lovely course, in exceptional condition for late October. Reasonably challenging layout without being too punishing, with lots of holes that invite a great drive - a thoroughly enjoyable round of golf. The greens were the best I’ve played on this year! Definitely retuning to play again!

Golfing in the Troon courses where I play are good but when you go to a place like Largs you learn to appreciate a really well kept course.Even after all the rain we had the weekend before the course held up pretty well.The Pro was very friendly & helpful and made us feel welcome much like the man behind the bar who supplied us with nice rolls & coffee before our adventure.If only the golf had been a better quality.I’d definitely recommend this course to play anytime.Oh & yes we’ll be back at some point!

Arrived early for our round and the welcome by the clubhouse staff was warm and friendly.

Despite it being mid November the course was in good condition with full greens and preferred lies.

The course is well laid out with a good variety of holes and provides a good challenge for golfers of all standards.

Excellent course. Always in fabulous condition with great facilities and friendly staff and members.

This is a lovely course with number of challenging holes.

Course was in lovely condition and staff in clubhouse friendly and welcoming.

Will definitely be back..

A thoroughly enjoyable course with varied and interesting holes. The ground for a parkland course is firm and it appears the drainage is excellent as despite some recent heavy rain there were no puddles. The greens are true and have always been superb when I’ve played there. £18 for a round represents outstanding value. Largs deserves its title as the “Ayrshire Augusta”.

course was in fantastic condition.greens and fairways.would highly recommend it.only dampner was our 3 ball catching up with a 4 ball who were around 6 holes ahead of us.unbelievably slow.would definitely visit again.

The course was in immaculate conditin with stunning views across the Firth of Clyde. Ball position is critical on this great layout. Great day out. Catering was good with helpful staff on hand.

First time playing at course. From the pro shop to the restaurant and members all of them very friendly.

I only play once a week owing to hip disability but I would play this course again

2nd time playing this course while on holiday & love it. Course is in excellent condition fairways & greens are true & fast staff & members were very friendly would recommend this course to everyone