Royal Troon (Old)
Royal Troon (Old)
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Course Type
Semi-Private -
GOLF Top 100 World Rank (2023-24)
66 -
Year
1887 -
Architects
Willie Fernie -
Par
71 -
Yardage
7,208
Course Overview
Arnold Palmer, Tom Weiskopf and Tom Watson are among the Americans who have triumphed at Troon, yet the most memorable shot was struck by a non-winner: 71-year-old Gene Sarazen, who aced the 123-yard “Postage Stamp” 8th (pictured) during the 1973 Open — with a 5-iron! The mighty-mite 8th gets much of the attention, but Troon also has a host of sterling two-shotters, including the 7th, 11th, 13th and 15th. The stonewall separating the course and the rail line is unnervingly tight right of the 11th green and serves as a great litmus test to determine who is (and isn’t) in full control of their swings. By all means, celebrate the Postage Stamp but pay heed to the course’s other riches, too. (Photo: Getty)
3 things to know
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Hole everyone talks about
No. 8, par-3, 123 yards: This wee par-3 might be the shortest hole in the Open Championship rota, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Aptly named the “Postage Stamp,” the putting surface looks like, well, a postage stamp from the tee box. Choose your club wisely when stepping up to this tee shot — if you don’t find the green, you’ll quickly find yourself in trouble. -
Best non-golf amenity
After you finish your round, head up to the clubhouse for a pint and a bite at The Rabbit or its sister bar, The Seal. These watering holes opened in the summer of 2022 and offer stunning views of the course, where you can recount all your birdies and bogeys from the day. -
Insider tip
Take a little time to explore the town of Troon which has a variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. And, if the weather cooperates, take a stroll along Troon’s beautiful sandy beach.