| Club Name | Royal Troon Old Course |
| Designer | George Strath, Willie Fernie, James Braid |
| Par | 71 |
| Type | Links |
| Length | 7,175 yards (6,561 m) |
| Website | |
| Club Address | Craigend Rd, Troon KA10 6EP, United Kingdom |
Founded in 1878 by a few enthusiasts, Royal Troon Golf Club soon outgrew its purely local reputation. The Old Course today represents a stern golfing examination and in particular the inward half of Royal Troon is widely accepted as the most demanding of any Course on the Championship rota. Royal Troon Golf Club proudly hosted The 145th Open Championship in July of 2016. It was the ninth occasion The Open had been held at Troon. 2024 will mark the 10th time that The Open Championship comes to Royal Troon, as it will host the 152nd Open Championship between 14 – 21 July 2024. Images courtesy of Royal Troon Golf Club.
One of the great links courses in Scotland, the Old Course is a challenging test of golfing ability. With the wind to contend with, and deep rough interspersed with gorse and broom, accurate shot making is essential. Players should make their scores on the outward nine, as the prevailing north-westerly wind can make the back nine extremely difficult. This course represents one of the definitive challenges of golfing ability and skill. With the wind to contend with, deep rough, plus extensive gorse and broom, you get severely punished for inaccuracy. Aiming to build up your score on the front nine is a good strategy, as the powerful prevailing north-westerly wind can make the back holes extremely tough – so much so that the course has won a reputation as the most demanding on the Championship circuit.
Troon Golf Scotland is home to hole 8 with magnificent views of the islet of Ailsa Craig. Its putting surface is absolutely tiny, which is why the hole is colloquially known as “the postage stamp”. You tee off on high ground and need to play a clever little dropping shot over a gully to a long and surprisingly narrow green, itself set into a hill. A couple of bunkers protect the left hand of the green, but a big crater obscures the approach. All of which means getting it wrong lands you in a bunker with almost vertical sides. The hole is impossible to play safe – you’re in no man’s land, unless you find the green with your tee shot.
Royal Troon golf club is also famous for its brutal 11th hole, an incredibly tricky 448-metre par four that wreaked havoc in the 1997 Open. It became further notorious at the 2004 Open Championship, where Ernie Els missed a crucial 10’ putt during the play-off for the Claret Jug on the 72nd hole, and consequently lost to Todd Hamilton. For this reason alone, Troon Golf course has proven a particular draw for golfers of every handicap. The chance to play in Els’ and many other golfing great’s footsteps, at a place where even they have faltered, proves too tempting to pass up.
The Clubhouse of today is vastly different from that which was in place in the late 1870s. At that time, it was a wooden structure, little more than 300 square feet in area, but it was an improvement on the Club’s first home which was a converted railway carriage. As the popularity of the game increased, it was considered fitting to erect a stone-built property and in 1886 the first stage of the present Clubhouse was completed. Two major extensions were completed before 1900 incorporating the Smoke Room and the magnificent Dining Room, both of which to this day contain many of the original features. As the game of golf evolved, gentle and subtle changes have been made to accommodate the golfer of the present generation.
In the early part of 1970s the Ailsa Room was erected and most recently (2006) the Clubhouse was redeveloped to provide an extended Ailsa Room, an integral Professional Shop, new offices, and in general a fully upgraded and newly furnished Clubhouse. This provides a place of warmth and charm, where the golfer may relax in comfortable surroundings. A visitor to Royal Troon will enjoy the ambience which pervades within and will delight in the many artefacts which decorate the Main Corridor and Reception Lobby.
BOOK YOUR GOLF TRIP WITH VOYAGES.GOLF
Planning a golf trip shouldn’t be harder than playing the course itself. Voyages.golf is an International specialist golf travel agency, built by golfers for golfers who want access to the world’s best courses without the booking headaches. Our services go well beyond golf, with curated travel services creating the best package to suit your needs as described by our thousands of travellers.
Our Approach
We handle the details so you can focus on your game. Every itinerary is custom-built around the courses you want to play, with accommodation, transfers, and logistics coordinated to maximise your time on the greens. No budget stay-and-play, no minimum group sizes, no automated responses – just personalised service from golf travel specialists who understand what makes a great golf trip.
Our Services
Every Voyages.golf package starts with a minimum of two nights’ accommodation paired with your golf rounds, then builds from there based on your needs. Our comprehensive services include:
Tee Time Access
Championship courses – worldwide. We’ve built relationships over 10+ years that secure tee times many can’t access.
Hand-Picked Accommodation
Every hotel, resort, and lodge is selected based on three criteria: location near your courses, genuine comfort after 18 holes, and whether we’d stay there ourselves. No endless scrolling through reviews – we’ve done the research and know what works for golfers.
Complete Logistics Management
Golf clubs on flights. Vehicles with proper storage. Multi-course routing that doesn’t waste your day driving. Caddie requests. Optional additions like wine tours, golf lessons, or non-golfer programs. We coordinate everything so your trip flows seamlessly from arrival to departure.
No Minimum Numbers
Solo traveler? Foursome? Corporate group of 20? We welcome bookings of any size. Every golfer deserves exceptional service regardless of party size.
Real People, Real Expertise
Contact Voyages.golf and you’ll speak with experienced golf travel specialists – not call centers or chatbots. We’re golfers who’ve played these courses, understand seasonal conditions, and genuinely care about creating trips you’ll remember. We’re available to answer questions, refine itineraries, and provide support before, during, and after your journey.
Ready to Play?
Whether you’re targeting Australia’s championship courses, planning an international golf pilgrimage, or organizing a weekend escape with friends, Voyages.golf transforms your golf travel plans into reality. Contact our specialist team today to start designing your perfect golf experience.
How to Book Your Golf Trip
Every Voyages.golf experience is custom-made to your specifications—no two itineraries are identical. To ensure we secure the best tee times and accommodation, especially at high-demand courses and destinations, we recommend starting the booking process well in advance. We will advise you on the best booking windows for in-demand locations.
Before reaching out, it helps to have clarity on your preferred travel dates and confirmed group members (who’s definitely in, who’s still deciding). This allows us to move quickly when availability opens at sought-after courses.
Our 5-Step Booking Process
1. Enquire
Contact our team with your ideal travel window, preferred courses or destinations, group size, and any special requirements. The more detail you provide, the better we can tailor your itinerary. Keep in mind that popular courses and travel periods book out months in advance; early enquiries give you the best selection.
2. Book
Once we’ve designed your perfect itinerary and you’re ready to proceed, we’ll send a detailed invoice. We accept multi-currency payments via credit card or direct bank transfer, making both domestic and international bookings straightforward and secure.
3. Travel
Experience the golf trip we’ve meticulously planned for you. Our team remains available throughout your journey for any support, adjustments, or assistance you might need with the latest digital travel app to support your group throughout.
4. Share Your Experience
We’d love to hear how your trip went. Share your experience on social media (tag us @voyagesgolf), leave a review, or send us photos from your trip to be featured. Your feedback helps us continually improve and helps fellow golfers discover their next great adventure.
5. Stay in Touch
Once you’ve traveled with Voyages.golf, you’re part of our community. We’ll keep you informed about new course partnerships, exclusive travel opportunities, and seasonal recommendations for your next golf getaway.
Ready to Start Planning?
Contact Voyages.golf today. Let us know when you’re thinking of traveling and which courses are on your bucket list—we’ll take care of the rest.
Rated Excellent on the world’s leading independent review platform.
Sign up to receive our Monthly Newsletter, Tour & Cruise Releases and take advantage of our Earlybird Deals.
Data used in accordance with our Privacy Policy. We never sell your data as a fully independent company.
Ask questions and request more information about this tour by filling out enquiry form below & one of our experts will reach out to you.
