Craigend Road,
Troon, Ayrshire KA10 6EP
Office
+44 (0)1292 311 555Pro shop
+44 (0)1292 310 063Fax
+44 (0)1292 318 204Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Kieron G. Stevenson (Head Professional).The Course:
18 holes. Seaside links. Gently undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
Current layout by Willie Fernie (1910); significant renovation and bunker modifications by James Braid (1922).
Above distances are for the Old course. Also at Royal Troon is the 18-hole Portland course (par-71, 6349 yds from back tees), and the nine-hole Craigend course (par-27; 1208 yds; rating 25.0; designer Martin Ebert; the par-3 4th "Wee Postage Stamp" is a replica of the Old course's famous "Postage Stamp" hole).
55.532328
-4.650912
6 miles N of Ayr
From the A78 south-east of Troon, follow direction Prestwick Airport on the A79. After o.2 miles turn right onto the B749 direction Troon. After 2 miles turn left into Crosbie Road. After 100 yards turn right into golf.
Royal Troon Golf Club (Old Course): These revered links lay down one of the world's finest tests of seaside golf. Troon's out-and-back layout might appear a little benign as you look out from the first tee alongside the attractive single-storey clubhouse. But first impressions can be deceptive. The well-spaced links here hide a tremendous variety of golfing challenges. Many holes, it is said, are "as full of wickedness as they are of beauty." And most wicked of them all is the infamous par-3 8th, better known as the Postage Stamp.
The opening and closing stretches on Royal Troon's Old course are characterised by subtle rather than prodigious elevation changes. Greater undulation is found in the layout's middle section and around the turn, where gorse bushes as well as long wispy fescues make their presence felt.
The fast true greens and superb (and deep) revetted bunkers, clearly indicate the high-quality greenkeeping both courses at Royal Troon receive. There's a mere 10 bunkers at the par-4 1st, and 11 at the par-4 2nd, and 180 more ominously await at the remaining holes.
Magnifying the pleasures of your round at Royal Troon are glorious views out across the Firth of Clyde, the Isle of Arran and Ailsa Craig (to the south). But don't expect every day to be dry, sunny and warm. This fabulous seaside links, with its impeccable pedigree of hosting major championships, is not surprisingly one of the world's most highly regarded golf courses.
Pick of the holes: Among many excellent and testing golf holes, the par-4 11th (Railway) and par-4 12th (Fox) both present testing drives, with gorse bushes lining the fairways to left and right. The par-3 8th is Royal Troon's most famous hole. At less than 125 yards from the back tees it should not set the heart racing, but the "postage stamp" green is surrounded by the scariest collection of grassy mounds, pot bunkers and slick run-offs found on any Open Championship course. Short in length, but huge in reputation, this tiddler of a hole has claimed many a famous scalp.
Visitors welcome on Mon, Tues and Thur; limited availability on some Sundays.
Must book in advance. Maximum handicap: men 20; women 30. Proof of handicap required.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, day tickets, etc. [Last updated: 2025].
Players generally walk this course. Caddies available if requested in advance.
Excellent
Queen Elizabeth II conferred the Royal prefix on Troon GC in its centenary year (1978). By royal prerogative, 10 Scottish golf clubs use the "Royal" title, namely: Aberdeen, Royal & Ancient (St Andrews), Burgess, Dornoch, Duff House, Montrose, Musselburgh, Perth, Tarlair and Troon.
Royal Troon's crest features a serpent wrapped around a set of golf clubs, as well as a Coronet, two similar coats of arms, and the club motto "Tam Arte Quam Marte" ("as much by skill as by strength"). The serpent, coronet and the coats of arms are references to the Bentinck and Cavendish families. Henry Bentinck (b.1682), of Dutch ancestry, became the 1st Duke of Portland. His son William (b.1709), the 2nd Duke of Portland married Lady Margaret Cavendish (b.1715), who was the richest woman in Britain at the time. The 5th Duke (b. 1800) owned the land on which the Troon Golf Club courses (later Royal Troon) were established.
Royal Troon's Old Course has hosted many top level events including several Open, Senior Open, Amateur and Ladies Amateur Championships. For more details see Major Golf Tournaments at Royal Troon Golf Club.
Old course:
Scotland's 9th best course (Golf World, 2024).
Britain & Ireland's 23rd best course (Golf World, 2025).
World's 66th best course (GOLF Magazine, 2023/24) and 39th best public access course (Golf World, 2025).
Crosbie Road, Troon, Ayrshire KA10 6HE
+44 (0)1292 314 444
Visit websiteLocated alongside the opening and closing holes of Royal Troon, the refurbished Marine Hotel provides excellent quality accommodation, combined with superb sea and golf course views. An ideal base from which to explore the many wonderful and historic golf courses on the Ayrshire coast.
Royal Troon (Old and Portland courses)
Prestwick; Prestwick St Nicholas; Kilmarnock Barassie
Dundonald; Western Gailes; Glasgow Gailes; Irvine; West Kilbride; Belleisle
Southwood Rd, Monkton, Troon KA10 7EL.
+44 (0)1292 311 801
Visit websiteThis elegant mansion house, originally built as a dower house, now enjoys a new role as a beautifully appointed contemporary country house B&B. It offers spectacular views out across Royal Troon golf course and onto the Firth of Clyde. Many other well-known golf courses lie in close proximity, including Western Gailes, Prestwick and Turnberry. A ferry service runs from Ardrossan (20 mins along the coast) to the Island of Arran. Beautiful clifftop Culzean Castle lies just 40 minutes away to the south.
No
Royal Troon (Old and Portland courses); Prestwick; Prestwick St Nicholas; Kilmarnock Barassie.
Dundonald; Western Gailes; Glasgow Gailes; Irvine (Bogside); West Kilbride; Belleisle; Turnberry (25 miles).
Women’s (British) Open: the last women’s major championship of the season is hosted by Royal Porthcawl GC. It’s the first time this fabulous seaside links course has hosted the event (July 31-Aug 3).
Walker Cup: the 50th playing of this prestigious men’s amateur event sees the GB&I go head-to-head against the defending USA team at Cypress Point Club, California (Sept 6-7).
After that, all eyes turn to Bethpage State Park on Long Island, NY, where the American and defending European professional teams engage in the 45th Ryder Cup (Sept 27-29).
Lottie Woad: 21-year-old Woad burst onto the professional scene in July, with wins in the Women’s Irish Open (as an amateur) and three weeks later in the Women’s Scottish Open (as a professional). She nearly picked-up a major championship, placing third in The Evian in the same month.
Pádraig Harrington: the ever-likeable Irishman added the (British) Senior Open Championship title to his stellar array of tournament successes. His win came on Sunningdale’s spectacular Old Course. Harrington had already bagged the U.S. Senior Open title in June this year.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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