Royal Troon Golf Club Old Course: Review, Green Fees, Tee Times and Key Info

The Postage Stamp 8th hole at Royal Troon

(Image credit: Kevin Murray)

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By Fergus Bisset

published 29 March 2023

Royal Troon Golf Club Old Course Key Information

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Row 0 - Cell 0	Row 0 - Cell 1
Address	Craigend Rd, Troon KA10 6EP
Phone Number	01292 311 555
Website	https://www.royaltroon.co.uk
Email	bookings@royaltroon.com
Green Fees	£315
Visitor Times	Times available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
Par	71
Slope Rating	145 (Blue), 140 (White), 136 (Yellow), 135 (Green)
Opened	1878
Designed by	George Strath, Willie Fernie, James Braid

Golf Monthly Verdict

Royal Troon's Old Course is a superb and sometimes underrated links. It's a brilliant test of golf with huge skies and amazing views to the west. The layout flows brilliantly in three distinct sections. The final third, the run for home, delivers one of the sternest finishes to a round of golf you'll find anywhere. It's a traditional club but a welcoming one and they pay attention to every detail.

REASONS TO PLAY ROYAL TROON GOLF CLUB OLD COURSE

– Challenging, classic links course that will test all elements of your game

– A historic venue where the greats have done battle

– Some incredibly famous holes, none more so than the iconic "Postage Stamp" 8th

RANKINGS

UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2023/24 - 17

Host to one of the most exciting Open Championships in recent times when Henrik Stenson outduelled Phil Mickelson in a thrilling final round in 2016, then to the highly memorable AIG Women’s Open in 2020, won by Sophia Popov, golf fans (and the golfing media) have been reminded just what a superb links the Old Course at Royal Troon is. Royal Troon will once again play host to The Open Championship in 2024.

In total, Royal Troon has welcomed The Open on nine occasions. The first time was back in 1923 when Englishman Arthur Havers was champion. Bobby Locke, Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson have all triumphed at Troon.

Royal Troon's Old Course is one of the very best links in Scotland.

Huge skies stretch above as you forge out from the clubhouse, and the front nine takes you towards the loop and the famous “Postage Stamp” 8th hole.

In fact, the course could be considered in three distinct sections – the first six head out along the coast, allowing you to build an early score with the prevailing wind behind. Then holes 7 to 12 ask more technical questions as they move through the dunes.

The challenge ramps up further as you head for home with the last six generally played into the wind. It’s a fabulous stretch of testing holes all the way back in that will really identify the best ball strikers – as Henrik Stenson proved in 2016.

The Old Course is a natural but subtle layout and with views to the Ailsa Craig, Arran and the Kintyre peninsula, it’s a far more striking setting than one might think at first glance.

It’s a layout that demands shot-making and the ability to manipulate ball flight – There’s generally a stiff breeze, so being able to keep the ball down is crucial.

The bunkering is very well positioned for both tee shots and approaches, and the gorse is often a threat too.

The club has a great attention to detail and surfaces are extremely well maintained. The greens are always of exceptional quality.

The 8th at Royal Troon "The Postage Stamp"

What The Top 100 Panel Said

Gordon Ross

Troon is an excellent all round test as you have to be able to drive well to avoid the many fairway bunkers and then hit good approach shots into well guarded greens. The course was presented in superb condition when I played it. The greens were excellent, the tees and fairways clearly maintained to a very high standard as well. This was my first visit to Troon in about 25 years and I had forgotten just how good a test of golf it really is. It tests every facet of your game.

Matt Weavers

I really like the variety in that it feels like you are playing three courses in one. It's easy to see why Royal Troon is an Open Championship venue, it demands a variety of shotmaking to navigate through / around / over numerous bunkers, bushes and sandhills. A tremendous test of golf at what is still a traditional members club.

Royal Troon Golf Club Old Course Location

Royal Troon Golf Club Old Course Green Fees

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17th Apr - 3rd Oct 23	£315
17th Apr - 3rd Oct 23 (PGA Member)	£245

Contact the club through their website for more information on visiting

Royal Troon Golf Club Old Course Scorecard

Best Courses Near to Royal Troon Golf Club Old Course

Best places to stay near Royal Troon Golf Club Old Course

The Marine Hotel - Book now at Booking.com
a grand building with magnificent views over the Firth of Clyde towards the Isle of Arran, overlooking Royal Troon Golf Course. Bedrooms are all en-suite and there are excellent fitness facilities.

Lochgreen House - Book now online
A luxurious hotel and spa just outside Troon with views over the golf course towards Arran. There's fine dining and opulent accommodation, together with a salubrious spa. If you want somewhere to pamper yourself after a round of golf, this is the place in Troon.

Royal Troon Golf Club Old Course Gallery

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Royal Troon Golf Club Old Course Historical Top 100 Ranking UK&I

2023/24 - 17
2021/22 - 17
2019/20 – 17
2017/18 - 20
2015/16 - 29
2013/14 - 24
2011/12 - 24
2009/10 - 24

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much does it cost to play golf at Troon?

It isn't cheap. It's one of the courses on the Open rota and, as such, can command high green fees. Visitors are welcome at Royal Troon on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and the summer green fee for 2023 is £315 per round.

When will Troon next host The Open Championship?

Royal Troon will next host The Open Championship in 2024. It will be the 10th time the Ayrshire Club has welcomed the great old championship. Back in 2016, Henrik Stenson was the winner at Royal Troon. The club was supposed to host the 2023 Open to coincide with the club's 145th anniversary but Covid meant the schedule was pushed back a year.

Why is Troon Called Royal Troon?

Royal Troon was granted its Royal status in 1978 - during the club's centenary year.

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?