Royal Troon Golf Club - Old Course

About the club

Founded in 1878, Royal Troon began as a five-hole course laid out by Charlie Hunter. George Strath extended it to eighteen holes by 1884, and Willie Fernie, who designed the Postage Stamp and Railway holes, continuously improved it until after WWI. The club hosted its first Open Championship in 1923, stepping out of Prestwick's shadow, which had already hosted 23 Opens. James Braid later added length and bunkers, including altering the famous Postage Stamp hole, a 123-yard par 3. For the 145th Open in 2016, Mackenzie & Ebert made adjustments, including major changes to the 9th, 10th, and 15th holes, and introduced three new bunkers for the 152nd Open. The 6th hole was extended to 623 yards, the longest in tournament history, and new tees added 77 yards overall. Royal Troon is an out-and-back links course with a par of 71, measuring 7,385 yards from the championship tees. The early holes are gentle, offering scenic views of the Firth of Clyde, Ailsa Craig, and Isle of Arran. The inward nine holes are challenging, often against the prevailing wind. The stretch from the 7th to the 13th is particularly noted for its difficulty and variety. Notable holes include the longest par five (6th hole at 623 yards) and the shortest par three (Postage Stamp, 8th hole at 99-123 yards). The 11th hole, a 490-yard par four, is known for its difficulty and strategic simplicity, with out-of-bounds and the railway line along the right side.