Established in 1878
Redesigned for The Open by 5-time Open Champion James Braid
9-time Open Championship Host & 2023 Open Venue
Ranked in Top 10 Golf Courses in Scotland
Founded in March 1878 Royal Troon is renowned worldwide as one of the very best links golf courses and has played host to The Open Championship on nine occasions. However, the club’s Royal status was not granted until Troon’s centenary year under the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Located in South Ayrshire, just 45 minutes from Glasgow airport, the course is separated from the Firth of Clyde beach by raised sand dunes and is a traditional out and back links course.
In 1923 Royal Troon was the fifth Scottish course to host The Open after Prestwick, St Andrews, Musselburgh and Muirfield. In 2023, some 100 years later it, will host the tournament for the 10th time.
The Old Course is a classic Scottish links, you have to contend with a characteristic wind off the Ayrshire coast in addition to deep rough, broom and gorse.
The course measures 7,208 yards from the championship tees and 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.
| Par | 71 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | George Strath, Willie Fernie & James Braid |
| Opened for play | 1878 |
| Previously hosted | The Open (9 times), The Amateur Championship (5 times), British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship (4 times) and the Senior Open Championship |
| Blue | 7,208 yards | SSS 75 |
|---|---|---|
| White | 6,632 yards | SSS 73 |
| Yellow | 6,170 yards | SSS 71 |
| Red | 6,108 yards | SSS 76 |
The Old Course at Royal Troon can claim to have the longest par five in Open Championship golf, the 6th at 601 yards as well as the shortest par three on the Open circuit, the “Postage Stamp” 8th at 123 yards.
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 and it was here, during the 1973 Open, Gene Sarazen managed a hole in one at the age of 71. He also holed out from the bunker the following day, what an amazing return to Royal Troon for Sarazen, who was in the field for Troon’s inaugural Open in 1923.
In addition to the famous Old Course, Troon can offer a good test on the Portland Course, named after the Dukes of Portland who helped with the construction of the docks at Troon Harbour and the coal mines in nearby Kilmarnock.
Opened for play in 1896 it was thought to have been slightly reworked by Dr Alister MacKenzie after it’s sister course held The Open in 1923. 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.
The course consists of two loops of nine that return to two clubhouses that are separate from the main Royal Troon clubhouse, one of which is exclusively for ladies. As well as the gorse notable obstacles on the Portland course include the railway line, ditches and cleverly positioned bunkers which all combine to produce a fair test to the visiting golfer.
Simply stunning the best course I have ever played every part of the course was in tip top condition not a blade of grass out of place WOW
Royal Troon was an absolutely great pleasure to visit and play. From the moment we arrived and were welcomed warmly by the reception and Pro shop staff, to the moment we left, we were looked after incredibly well, and treated with great respect. The course was a delight. Accurate golf was needed to stay out of bunkers, but good shots were rewarded by fair lies and excellent greens. It was in superb condition, and we all played better than expected on this championship course. Troon now takes its place at the very top of my golf courses played. Special mention goes to Kieron Stevenson, the Head Professional who went out of his way to welcome us all.
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A - Yes
A - Yes
A - £50 plus discretionary
A - No visitor play
A - There are 2 bars on site
A - Neither
A - There is complimentary car parking
