Location: Troon, Ayrshire, Scotland | Ranking: #76
Designer: Charles Hunter / Willie Fernie | Type: Links · Open Championship Venue | Green Fees: From £260
Editor’s Note: Royal Troon is home to the Postage Stamp — the 8th hole, a par 3 of just 123 yards, is the shortest and most famous hole in Open Championship history. In 1973, Gene Sarazen holed in one here aged 71 during the centenary Open. The back nine is relentlessly exposed to Firth of Clyde winds and represents one of the most demanding closing stretches on the rota. Visitor access Tuesday and Thursday only — book well ahead.
Travel & Logistics
- Airport: Glasgow Prestwick (PIK) — 10 mins | Glasgow International (GLA) — 35 mins
- Booking: royaltroon.com | Visitors: Tuesday & Thursday only | Handicap max 18 men / 24 ladies | Rating / Slope: 75.8 / 141
Championship Scorecard
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | OUT |
| Par | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 35 |
| Name | Seal | Black Rock | Gyaws | Dunure | Greenan | Turnberry | Tel-el-Kebir | Postage Stamp | The Monk | — |
| Yards | 369 | 430 | 379 | 557 | 210 | 601 | 403 | 123 | 422 | 3,494 |
| Hole | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | IN | TOTAL |
| Par | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 35 | 71 |
| Name | Sandhills | The Railway | The Fox | Burmah | Alton | Crosbie | Well | Rabbit | Craigend | — | — |
| Yards | 438 | 481 | 431 | 471 | 178 | 498 | 542 | 215 | 457 | 3,711 | 7,179 |
Par 4Par 3Par 5
Key Strategy Notes
- Hole 8 — Postage Stamp (Par 3, 123 Yards): The shortest hole in Open Championship golf — a wedge to a tiny, elevated green ringed by bunkers. Gene Sarazen holed in one here aged 71 in 1973. In wind, the shot can play from 7-iron to pitching wedge.
- Hole 11 — The Railway (Par 4, 481 Yards): The hardest hole on the course — a long par 4 directly into the prevailing wind with the railway line out of bounds right. One of the most demanding holes on the Open rota.
- Hole 18 — Craigend (Par 4, 457 Yards): A strong finisher back toward the iconic Art Deco clubhouse — Tiger birdied this hole in 1997 to finish runner-up in his first Open as a professional.
The 19th Hole
- Piersland House Hotel (4★): Historic Edwardian hotel in Troon town, 5 minutes from Royal Troon — the best-value base for an Ayrshire golf trip. Book via Expedia →
- Trump Turnberry: 15 minutes south — combine a Troon Tuesday with a Turnberry Wednesday for Scotland’s greatest 36-hole day.