Founded in March 1878, Royal Troon is one of the world's great links and a nine-time host of The Open Championship. The club was granted Royal status in 1978, its centenary year, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Set in South Ayrshire, around 45 minutes from Glasgow Airport, Troon sits behind raised dunes along the Firth of Clyde. It's a proper out-and-back links, so you head out for nine and then turn for home, with the breeze off the water never far from the conversation.
Troon became the fifth Scottish course to stage The Open in 1923, after Prestwick, St Andrews, Musselburgh and Muirfield. A century on, it welcomed the Championship for a 10th time in 2023.
The headline act is the par-3 8th, the Postage Stamp, just 123 yards but brutally exacting over a deep bunker to a tiny, sloping green. At the other end of the scale, the par-5 6th stretches to 601 yards, one of the longest holes in championship golf. Between them you'll find firm running fairways, deep pot bunkers, gorse and greens that reward a low, chased-up links shot.
On many days the front nine feels a touch more generous, then the run home asks tougher questions when the wind freshens or turns. It's the sort of place where a 7-iron can become a 4-iron in the space of an hour.
Who is this for?
Golfers who want a genuine Open rota experience and a classic Scottish links day out.
Who is it best for?
Confident links players, low-to-mid handicaps and anyone who loves firm turf, pot bunkers and iconic one-shotters.
