Royal Troon (Old)

The Old Course at Royal Troon is a golfing masterpiece that embodies the rich heritage and challenge of traditional links-style golf.

 

Situated on the captivating Ayrshire coast in Scotland, this iconic course has a storied history dating back to its establishment in 1878.

Its location, in a stunning section of Ayrshire coastline, puts Royal Troon among some of the best courses in the country, including the likes of Prestwick, Western Gailes and Dundonald Links.

Its incredible history includes being the proud host of both the Open Championship and the AIG Women's Open, with the course being granted Royal status during its centenary year in 1978.


Visit Royal Troon's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.
 

Royal Troon Golf Club was formed in 1878 by local golf enthusiasts with its original design conceived by George Strath. 

In 1909, Willie Fernie, who was then the club professional, drew up plans to alter the layout and, before hosting its first Open Championship in 1923, James Braid added his thoughts. The course's design has been largely unaltered since.

 

The venue has the honour of being the only golf club in Great Britain to have been granted Royal status by Queen Elizabeth II, with that honour being bestowed upon the club in 1978.
 

Royal Troon has hosted the Open Championship on ten occasions. Following 1923, the Claret Jug has also arrived in 1950, 1962, 1973, 1982 1989, 1997, 2004 and 2016, with Sweden's Henrik Stenson coming out on top in a famous duel with Phil Mickelson. It hosted the championship once more in 2024, with Xander Schauffele lifting the Claret Jug.
 

Royal Troon also hosted the AIG Women’s Open in 2020, when Germany's Sophia Popov won by two shots.

 

The Old Course at Royal Troon is characterised by its rugged coastal landscape, featuring rolling sand dunes, deep bunkers, and challenging fairways that are influenced by the unpredictable coastal winds. The fast and undulating greens, strategically placed bunkers, and natural hazards make every round a thrilling and memorable experience. From the tips, the Old Course pushes past the 7,000-yard mark, but don't worry, there are plenty of teeing options to make it playable for us mere mortals.

It begins with a relatively straightforward par 4, providing your tee shot doesn't fly right into the Irish Sea. A quartet of fairway bunkers - two on either side - must be avoided, while the green is protected by five more traps. Pushing towards the 400-yard mark, the 2nd is slightly tougher, especially with the six fairway bunkers in all the right (or wrong!) positions. A burn runs across the 3rd fairway, and your tee shot must stay short of it. 
 

The first par 5 on the Old Course comes at the 4th. It is 555 yards, and relatively simple. There are bunkers dotted on either side of the landing zone, but if you can avoid those, then this becomes a birdie chance. The 210-yard par 3 5th is another tricky hole, mainly thanks to its length. Four bunkers guard the putting surface. At 600 yards, the 6th is the longest hole on the layout. Find the fairway twice, and you can get to the green with your third! The 7th is a dog-leg right par 4, and once again, avoiding fairway traps is the key.

Arguably one of the most famous par 3s in the world, the "Postage Stamp" is a true jewel of the Old Course. This diminutive hole demands laser precision and a steady nerve as golfers attempt to land their ball on a minuscule green surrounded by deep bunkers. Measuring a mere 123 yards, the 8th belies its length with the challenge it presents, making every tee shot a heart-pounding experience. The front nine closes with another tough par 4, but one that is made easier if you keep your tee shot just short of the two fairway bunkers down the left side.
 

The back nine starts with the blind tee shot over the sandhills on the 10th. Find the fairway, and then the railway line comes into play down the right side. As the course ventures inland, the 11th hole, known as "The Railway," presents a captivating blend of challenge and history. The fairway is punctuated by a historic rail line, and makes it pretty clear as to why this is the Stroke Index 1. Come away with a par here, and you'll be very pleased with yourself.
 

12 and 13 are both tricky par 4s, before you come to the 14th. Although it doesn't look too difficult, this 180-yard par 3 can easily wreck your card. Three bunkers, plus large swales and drops short of the putting surface, cause a much bigger challenge than you might have first anticipated. At 502 yards from the back tees, the 15th is one hell of a par 4! Four fairway bunkers are in play, with three more down by the green. Again, another hole where par is something to celebrate.
 

The closing stretch on the Old Course at Royal Troon starts with the last of the par 5s. The 16th is 555 yards, and features a burn running across the fairway. Stay short of that off the tee, and then pick your spot to lay up - avoiding the sand at all costs. 17 is the longest of the 3s at almost 220 yards. Finding the green is an achievement here. The closing hole, "Craigend", provides a fitting finale to the round. Golfers are met with a fairway flanked by dunes, making accuracy off the tee paramount. The approach shot to the elevated green must carry over a large bunker, adding a touch of drama to the conclusion of the round. The 18th hole encapsulates the essence of the Royal Troon experience - strategic challenge against a backdrop of natural beauty.

 

Where is Royal Troon Golf Club located?
The Royal Troon Golf Club is situated on the western coastline of Scotland, in somewhat of a golfing paradise in Ayrshire. The club is just south of the town of Troon, and sits just off the B749. The A78 – which runs from Greenock and Morton – is just a couple of miles east of Royal Troon. The city of Glasgow is around 30 miles to the northeast of the venue.

 

Troon Rail Station is just a mile away from Royal Troon. The station sits on the main line between Glasgow Central and Ayr, with services running in both directions every hour. For those coming to Scotland by air, Glasgow Prestwick Airport is just ten minutes to the southeast from the club, but Glasgow Airport – which is 40 miles north – provides a much wider array of flights and destinations.  

 

How many courses are there at Royal Troon?
The Old Course is one of two 18-hole layouts at the venue, with Royal Troon also playing host to the Portland Course as well. The Craigend Course is a 9-holer, that takes Royal Troon's collection to 45 holes of golf.

 

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?
Along with both the Old Course and the Portland Course the Ayrshire coastline has several stunning venues that all make the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. The likes of Dundonald Links, Prestwick, Western Gailes, Gailes Links, West Kilbride, and Trump Turnberry - with its Ailsa Course and King Robert the Bruce Course - are all on the same stretch of coastline.

What golf facilities does Royal Troon offer?  
As you would expect from an Open Championship venue that has 45 holes of golf, the practice facilities are first class at Royal Troon. There is a full-length driving range, along with a short game area and a putting green to hone your skills.
  

What are the green fees at Royal Troon?
The price of a green fee at Royal Troon changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. 

 

For more information on current green fees at Royal Troon, visit their website here. 

Visit Royal Troon's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.