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Royal Troon (Old), Scotland |
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Royal Troon Golf Club
Craigend Road
Troon
Ayrshire
KA10 6EP
Scotland |  | George Strath, Willie Fernie & James Braid |  | Kieron Stevenson |
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 | +44 (0)1292 311555 |  | 35 miles S of Glasgow |
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Golf Club Website
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 | May to Oct - Mon, Tue & Thu only |  | David L.K. Brown |
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 Eight times an Open Championship venue, Royal Troon was the fifth Scottish course after Prestwick, St Andrews, Musselburgh and Muirfield to host the Open.
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Date
1923
1950
1962
1973
1982
1989
1997
2004 |
Winner
Arthur Havers
Bobby Locke
Arnold Palmer
Tom Weiskopf
Tom Watson
M Calcavecchia
Justin Leonard
Todd Hamilton |
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Country
England
S Africa
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA |
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| | Troon was founded in 1878 as a five-hole golf course following a meeting in the local pub by a group of golf enthusiasts. It was George Strath, Troon’s pro, who was largely responsible for the original course design. Willie Fernie and James Braid later modified and extended the layout. In 1923, Royal Troon Golf Club hosted its first Open and finally moved out of the shadow of its famous neighbour, Prestwick. (By 1923, Prestwick had already hosted 23 Open Championships).
"The course at Troon is perhaps a little overshadowed by its more famous neighbour," wrote Bernard Darwin in his 1910 book, The Golf Courses of the British Isles, "but it is a very fine course nevertheless, especially since it has been lengthened of late years. It has, moreover, one of the finest short holes to be found anywhere."
In 1978, Troon’s centenary year, royal patronage was bestowed. Royal Troon Golf Club remains the first (and last) club in Great Britain to have been granted Royal status under the long reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Royal Troon is a traditional out and back links course. The opening few holes are relatively gentle, with a series of short par fours running along the Firth of Clyde. It’s from these early holes that you get the chance to soak up the views. On a clear day, you can see the distant Ailsa Craig in the south, and to the west, the majestic mountains on the Isle of Arran.
The course measures 7,150 yards from the back tees but line is more important than distance from the tee. Bunkers are everywhere, the majority of which are not visible from the tees. There’s plenty of deep rough and a smattering of gorse and broom to punish the wayward shot. Make your score on the outward nine holes; the inward holes are severe, often playing into the prevailing northwesterly wind. The stretch of holes from the 7th to the 13th provides an interesting and varied challenge.
The 6th is the longest par five in Open Championship golf and the 8th the “Postage Stamp” is the shortest par three on the Open circuit (123 yards). The name stuck after Willie Park referred to the hole in an article for Golf Illustrated: “a pitching surface skimmed down to the size of a postage stamp”. It was here, in the 1973 Open, at the age of 71, Gene Sarazen holed out in one. The following day, he holed his bunker shot for a two at the same hole. It was an amazing return for Sarazen, who had played in Troon’s inaugural Open in 1923.
The 11th is a brutal 490-yard par four for the pros and was rated the most difficult hole of the 1997 Open Championship – out-of-bounds and the railway line runs along the right hand side. In 2004, the Open Championship returned to Royal Troon for the eighth time. It was an exciting tournament. Ernie Els had a ten-foot putt for the Claret Jug on the 72nd hole but missed and then lost to Todd Hamilton in a play-off.
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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In the section below, headed “Your Reviews”, are golf course reviews posted by visitors to the Top 100 website. There are no specific rules for reviewing a golf course except you MUST have played the golf course first. Merits of each course are left entirely to your discretion. Important factors, such as course location, condition (or presentation), course difficulty and historical importance are all left for you to judge and we have developed a simple rating system where you can allocate one score to each course. | |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |  | | Played in mid-June. Of all the 17 links courses our group played, Troon was BY FAR the best conditioned. The greens were the best I have ever played in my 40 years of golfing. Tee times are expensive, but the golf on such a well-conditioned course was worth it. Some of the lesser-known courses (Crail, Brora, Girvan) were in better condition than their more-famous neighbors, but not here. The greenskeeping staff at Troon seem to be a level ahead of their peers.  | | Monday, July 12, 2010
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| | Loved Troon. Preferred it as a golf course to Turnberry which I played at the same time. Loved the clubhouse and the whole set up and feel to the place. Thought the holes were interesting and well defined. The only problem is the price and why I rate it v good rather than excellent. There are many courses of similar quality, factor in price, take`away the 'open' tag. | | Saturday, September 26, 2009
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| | | Played in Aug. 2008 in the opposite of the prevailing wind. Very nice walk and clubhouse. Friendly welcome. The middle holes are great. The other holes are very good. Clubhouse lunch is a nice touch. Birdie on the Postage Stamp will live long in the memory. 18th into the clubhouse is a nice finish as well. | | Friday, December 05, 2008
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| | | As I scanned the web site today I realized I had never written a review of Royal Troon. I played the course a4 times between 1984 and 1993, and I got to watch the third round of the Open in 1997. I have always been impressed by the club, the members, and the facilities, and I have enjoyed all my rounds at this course. The opening holes are certainly the weakest, but the course and holes steadily improve throughout the round. Things really start to get interesting at the par 5 6th, and the stretch from 9 through 15 contains some particularly strong par 4's. After seeing what the cost has gone to, I can see why some of the reviewers have been disappointed. My memories of Troon will always be of a gracious club that allowed a young student to walk on, rent clubs, and play a wonderful round with two members. Richard Smith, Knoxville, Tennessee | | Saturday, August 09, 2008
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| | | I played this summer and was very pleased with the course. The dull holes weren't as dull as I expected and the good holes were better! | | Wednesday, September 05, 2007
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| | | I can understand why some people don't seem to like this course. In bad weather, or even on just a dull day, this course could easily be put in a pictionary to describe bleak. And yet, given clear skies and air, only Turnberry on the Open rota could surpass it for beauty. As for the course... The best. Don't get me wrong, have a bad day and you'll want to walk off before you run out of balls, but that's its graetness. There is no let up, and it just gets tougher. Those that don't like this course are not in golf to be tested. Only Carnoustie in Scotland is tougher, but if the back nine is into the wind, then the challenge is relentless. Is it overpriced? Well, The Postage Stamp remains one of the wonders of the golfing world, and is worth any money to play, (almost disappointing to make a 2 in fact), but otherwise, well its up to you, but the redeveloped clubhouse is excellent, and the course is probably the 2nd best kept in Scotland. Only the other course, the Portland next door is consistently better. Over the last 5 years the condition has been sublime. You get what you pay for. | | Wednesday, July 18, 2007
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| | | Please do not be put off by some of the negative reviews of Troon - it is a joy, and I speak as someone who has played many courses in the top-100 around the world, from Augusta to Royal Melbourne with every Open course in between.
Yes, the very high green fee is a drawback (although for that you play The Portland Course as well, which is every inch the equal of other well-known courses in the area). As for the scenery not matching Turnberry - well few courses do. But if you stand on the 5th green and look out across the Firth of Clyde to the mountains of Arran and to Ailsa Craig, you have far greater scenery than at ANY other Open Championship course. Also, with the first six holes right alongside the beach, you are far more aware of being on a true links than any other Open venue.
And the course does not become 'bland' after the turn inland (at the 7th). That is when it really comes alive. Take time to stand on the Championship tee at the 11th and wonder at the drive faced by the pros.
One further thing - some will have been unfortunate enough to play Troon while the clubhouse extension was being completed. It is now complete and makes the building the most impressive on The Open Rota after St Andrews itself.
| | Wednesday, May 02, 2007
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| | | On a recent trip up to Ayrshire (March 2007) I was lucky enough, through a family connection of one of our party, to play Troon with two gentlemen each of whom had been members of the Club for far longer than either myself or my playing partner had been alive. To play a course of this quality with its Open credentials and history whilst immersed in the atmosphere, intimacy and hospitality that only a close-knit members club can provide was a special experience. The course itself is fantastic, a delightful mix of a big Open Championship bruiser but with the quirks, character and charm that is often lacking at such venues elsewhere. It is true that my judgment was not clouded by a hefty green fee but if you can get to the essence of what the course and the Club are really about then I cannot believe that a day at Troon is not worth its price. Even in a howling gale and driving rain, it truly was one of the most enjoyable rounds of golf I have ever had and should I ever be so fortunate as to be invited back, I will, firstly, accept the invitation with a broad smile and, second, make sure I don't make such a hash of the Postage Stamp next time round. | | Tuesday, April 03, 2007
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| | | I've been meaning to post a review for Royal Troon for a while now. We played here at the beginning of April 2006 with all the building work going on. OK, it's not ideal but at least they are keeping the place open. The course in my view is really good but not great, however, I really enjoyed my first round here and I would certainly like to come back at some point in the future. The course was empty and the condition was first class. The front nine played downwind and it was head down for the back nine into the prevailing wind. I think Troon comes in for some overly harsh criticism. | | Wednesday, May 17, 2006
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| | With 3 friends we played Troon after having played Turnberry, Prestwick and Western Gailes. What a disappointment! I understand better now why the only picture that you see on many web sites is the "Postage Stamp", it is probably the most scenic one of the 18 holes. For 210 GBP or 315 € you could without any problem find a much better course. All of us agreed to say that it is the worst value for money course that we have ever played. Moreover and due to some reconstruction of the Club House the meal (a cold buffet) included in the green fee is served on a plastic board and the beer in a plastic glass. | | Tuesday, May 16, 2006
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| | | I really have enjoyed my rounds at Troon, and I love the litle village of Troon. A must play, but I fear its' length may endanger the chances of itstaying on the rotation. It is certainly challenging enough for us amateurs, but a little short for the big boys. | | Thursday, May 11, 2006
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| | | Played the course on a windy day this April and rightly got beaten up by it. Found it to be in generally good condition for early in the season and a damn sight more interesting than some of the reviews here. Not as good as Carnoustie or Kingsbarns for example but not miles behind either. A pleasure to play the postage stamp - though the green didn't seem that small (still missed it of course). Not sure if it's just a fraction too early but the course was empty when we played on a weekday afternoon just us in a fourball and one two ball - maybe they are charging too much? The facilities as mentioned elsewhere are portakabins whilst the extensive refurb takes place but you can still get a sandwich and a pint in the clubhouse. | | Tuesday, April 11, 2006
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| | | Earlier reviews had me worried before playing here – whilst I agree that it is flat and duneless, I found this a really enjoyable quality links. Started the day in the clubhouse and ate haggis in front of an open fire – how Scottish! Played the first 6 holes with the wind behind and this helped score well – change of atmosphere around holes 7-9 (slight move in from the coast), three top quality holes though including the Postage Stamp. Back 9 starts with a tricky blind drive (aim further left than it looks) and the bulk of this 9 was played into the wind with the affect being little chance of par scoring and a fair few double bogeys. Always a pleasure to add an Open championship course to my played course list and Troon for me was a great experience. | | Monday, April 10, 2006
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| | Royal Troon is, overall, a pretty uninspiring course to play. The best holes are reserved in the middle of your round when there are some nice changes in elevation between the 6th and 12th holes (with a blind tee shot at the 10th for good measure)
but the opening and closing stretches are pretty bland. Throw in the fact that the Postage Stamp 8th was out of play when we played during the winter and you can guess that our party were not overly enamoured with being unable to play one of the most famous golf holes in the world, however… and I might have to whisper it here…
the hole didn’t look nearly as good in real life as in all the photos I’d seen of it before!
One very big plus point is that the staff in the clubhouse were absolutely fabulous, operating a very sensible, down to earth, winter menu. They treated our visiting party of four as if we were members which is as high an accolade as I can give any golf club employee. The clubhouse is undergoing extensive renovations so changing was confined to outside portakabins which detracted a little from the overall experience. I can hardly imagine what anyone paying top notch prices in the summer would think of this - our group were on a discounted SGU winter green fee (similar to that offered at other Open venues in Scotland) so we didn’t mind the inconvenience too much. If you are looking to play really interesting golf in this neck of the woods, you’ll get it in spades for half the price next door at a venue where they used to play Opens before the event got too big for them. Jim McCann
 | | Tuesday, February 14, 2006
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| Response: | | | cc | Friday, September 28, 2007 | | writing a review on Royal Troon having played from the winter tees is like going to Wimbledon, watching a fortnights tennis on the outside courts, and then saying it was a poor experience because none of the best players go there |
| | | Somewhat disappointing when compared to the other courses on the Open rota, over priced and lacks the contrast of Sandwich or Birkdale and the brutal nature of Carnoustie. Opening couple of holes are pleasant but when you turn inland after the 8th it's bland. | | Monday, January 23, 2006
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| | | I received a warm welcome from the staff and the caddies are something else with a wicked sense of humour. This is a fine and true test of links golf and is well worth playing when visiting the Ayrshire coast. They have a tricky little par three course and the Portland course too, so you can really make a day of it here. Don’t come expecting to play to handicap, the back nine is as tough as old boots. The course really comes alive at the Postage Stamp and then the run through to the 13th is especially memorable. I think this is a quality links course, a bit expensive, but an absolute must for traditional links lovers. | | Friday, April 08, 2005
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| | | My #2 in Scotland behind Dornoch. Not very scenic but a nice layout and not tricked up. Stay at the Loch Green House Hotel for an awesome experience. | | Friday, December 31, 2004
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| | | Troon is worth playing for the "Postage Stamp" alone. I first played this hole at the outrageous Royal Links in Las Vegas, but there's nothing like the real thing. Apart from that, playing in the desert is a bit different to the Ayshire coast! The back nine was too tough for me into the wind and I almost lost the will to live. All in all a great experience but not quite living up to my expectations. | | Friday, November 26, 2004
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| | Frankly a bit of a slog, and probably my least favourite of the Open Courses.
The opening holes, and the equivalent number of closing ones are fairly featureless.
We played on a day when it was impossible to stop the ball downwind, and very difficult to reach the later holes into the elements.
Most interesting stretch is around the turn, Postage Stamp etc.
However, for the price, the poorest value in UK Links Golf. | | Thursday, May 27, 2004
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