Old Course

at Royal Troon Golf Club

Royal Troon is widely accepted as one of the toughest of Open Championship venues. As a traditional ‘out and back’ links course it runs parallel to the Firth of Clyde. On a clear day, this gives golfers exceptional views across the water to Ailsa Crag in the south and to the stunning mountains on the Isle of Arran to the west. The front-side generally plays downwind and gives a chance to score well, however, due to the layout of the course this means most of the back-nine will be back into the wind and a real test. Pot bunkers, ocean views, sandhills and gorse all play their part on this stunning links.

Signature Holes

At Royal Troon, you will find one of the most celebrated short holes in golf, the 123-yard 8th hole, affectionately known as the ‘Postage Stamp’, a phrase coined by Willie Park when referencing the size of the green. Although only a short-iron in calm conditions this hole can often require a 5 or 6-iron if the wind is blowing and with hazards all around the green it has wrecked many scorecards.

Did You Know?

Royal Troon hosted its first Open Championship in 1923 which was won by Arthur Havers, his only major title. Royal Troon has been the site of other golfer’s first and only major success with Justin Leonard winning The Open in 1997 and Todd Hamilton in 2004.