Royal Troon – Amongst Scotland’s Finest
Founded in 1878 the Royal Troon Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland has three courses, the Old Course, Portand and the nine-hole course called Par Three. It has a famous neighbor in Prestwick and together they form an interesting golfing vacation. In its centenary year of 1978, Troon was bestowed with the Royal title, the only one awarded so far during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Old Course at Royal Troon is one of the finest links courses in Scotland. A severe test of golfing ability, the layout and the weather conditions compound the challenge, making power and accuracy equally important. The deep rough around the fairways is dotted with broom and gorse and of course there is always the wind to contend with.
The 7150 yard course is strewn with bunkers that are cleverly hidden from the tees. It is a traditional outwards and back layout. The opening holes of the outward nine are easier with short par 4s running along the Firth of Clyde. This part of the Old Course offers spectacular views and one can see the dome like rock in the sea, the Ailsa Craig and hills on Isle of Arran from here. The inward nine can be punishing, particularly in the face of the northwesterly wind. It is widely accepted to be the most demanding of any Course on the Championship circuit.
Royal Troon Old Course is home to the longest par five and shortest par three, known as the Postage Stamp, in the Open Championship circuit. The 11th hole is considered to be Troon’s toughest hole with the railway line and out of bounds to the right.
The Portland Golf Course is a little more sheltered than the Old Course and also a fair deal shorter. It has five par 3 holes that are compensated by the four par 5 holes which are all part of the back nine. The terrain has a fair amount of gorse and broom, and the holes are well laid in their midst.
The nine-hole Par 3 Course has a number of tricky holes set in small greens.
