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. Links course. Relatively flat terrain - easy to walk.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
Original layout by Willie Fernie, with major modifications and re-routing by Dr Alister MacKenzie (1921).
Above distances are for the Portland course. Also at Royal Troon is the 18-hole Old course (par-71; 7208 yds; rating 76.0), 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).
55.532318
-4.647405
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 (Portland course): Laid out on the landward side of Royal Troon's world-renowned Old Course, the Portland is a fine links golf course in its own right. Much more than just a warm-up for the legendary Old Course, although, thankfully, the number, severity and depth of the bunkering is not as great as on its famed stablemate.
Bounded to the south by the Old course and to the north by the Troon-Ayr railway, the Portland is a tad flatter and more compact than the Old (but not too compact). Like its grander sibling, the Portland is maintained to an excellent standard, but laid out as two nine-hole loops, rather than the Old's out-and-back configuration.
Several holes on the absorbing Portland course are lined with a scattering of gorse bushes. Unforgiving fescues also lie in wait beyond the generally good-width fairways. Three short par-5s and a couple of short par-4s provide the best scoring opportunities. However, these are balanced by several longer and more testing par 4s, not least the two opening holes (both with out-of-bounds on the left).
The five par-3s are delightful. All are well-bunkered with smallish greens demanding accurate iron-play if par or better is to be recorded. Where better to prepare for the Old course's infamous par-3 8th hole (Postage Stamp). The Portland's own par-3 8th (Gravel) is also a stunner. It plays gently uphill to a bunker defended plateau green framed by handsome Scots pines.
Visitors welcome on Mon, Tues and Thur; limited availability on some Sundays.
Must book in advance. 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
Royal Troon's Portland course was established in 1895 as a "relief" course to the Old course, which was becoming overly busy by the 1890s. The name was only changed from Relief Course to Troon Portland Golf Club in 1924, and more recently to the Portland Course, Royal Troon Golf Club.
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.
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.
Portland course:
Scotland's 72nd best course (Golf World, 2024).
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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