During its centenary year, Troon was honoured with the ‘Royal' accolade, and remains the most recent club to be recognised as such. The Old Course is a classic Scottish links, with characteristic wind with which to contend, in addition to deep rough, broom and gorse.

The locals will tell you to make your score on the front nine, because battling home after the turn against the prevailing wind is often a case of damage limitation. The signature hole is the par-3 8th, named the ‘Postage Stamp' for obvious reasons; standing on the tee with a strong cross-wind, the golfer is faced with a tiny green, flanked by cavernous pot bunkers. This is surely one of the most famous shots in golf.

In addition to the famous Old Course, Troon can offer a good test on the Portland Course. Although shorter and less fearsome than its neighbour, a quirky mixture of par-3s and par 5-s make the Portland a genuine challenge for most, especially given the proximity of the dreaded gorse.

Greg Norman stormed into the playoff in 1989 with a course record 64 in the final round. Mark Calcavecchia may have lifted the Claret Jug, but Norman's record still stands.