Photo: Wikimedia CommonsRoyal Troon (Old Course)
Troon, South Ayrshire · Designed by Willie Fernie · Est. 1878
Royal Troon's Old Course runs out along the Ayrshire coast with views to the Isle of Arran and the great granite dome of Ailsa Craig, and comes home into the prevailing wind — a classic out-and-back links of two distinct halves. It has hosted The Open ten times since 1923, most recently in 2024 when Xander Schauffele won his first Claret Jug.
Its most famous hole is the 8th, the "Postage Stamp" — at just 123 yards the shortest hole in Open golf, a tiny green perched in the dunes and ringed by deep, steep-faced bunkers. Created in 1909–10 and named by the champion Willie Park Jnr for a green "skimmed down to the size of a postage stamp," it has humbled the very best: in 1973 the 71-year-old Gene Sarazen holed in one here, while others have run up sevens and eights. The front nine, downwind, offers the chance to score; the long, exposed back nine, into the wind, takes it all back.
Founded in 1878 and granted royal status on its centenary in 1978, Troon sits ten minutes from Glasgow Prestwick Airport and within a short drive of Turnberry and Prestwick — the heart of Ayrshire's championship coast.
Holes worth knowing
- 18th "Postage Stamp" (par-3, 123 yards) — the shortest hole in Open golf: a minuscule green set in the dunes and ringed by deep, vertical-faced bunkers. Gene Sarazen aced it at 71 in 1973; many a champion has made a mess of it. The most famous short hole in the game.
Highlights
- 10-time Open host (most recently 2024)
- The par-3 8th "Postage Stamp" — shortest hole in Open golf
- Out-and-back links with Ailsa Craig and Arran views
Good to know
- →The course is two halves: ride the wind out on the front nine and score, because the long back nine into the prevailing wind will take it back. Pace your round accordingly.
- →Glasgow Prestwick Airport is ten minutes away, which makes Troon one of the most convenient bucket-list links to reach from abroad.
- →Turnberry and Prestwick are both a short drive down the coast — three Open or former-Open venues within half an hour make Ayrshire a superb golf base.
- →Visitor days are limited; book well ahead and bring a handicap certificate.
- →Troon’s ‘Postage Stamp’ 8th is the most famous short hole in Open golf; the Ayrshire links belt of Prestwick, Western Gailes and Dundonald is all around, and Glasgow Prestwick airport is minutes away.
Visitor Information
Getting There
Common questions
What is the Postage Stamp at Royal Troon?
The 8th hole — at just 123 yards the shortest hole in Open Championship golf. Its tiny green sits in the dunes, ringed by deep, steep-faced bunkers, and it has humbled the greatest players: in 1973 the 71-year-old Gene Sarazen holed in one, while others have run up sevens and eights. It is the most famous short hole in the game.
How many times has Royal Troon hosted The Open?
Ten times since 1923, most recently in 2024, when Xander Schauffele won his first Claret Jug. The Old Course is a classic out-and-back links — downwind out, into the wind home — with views to Arran and Ailsa Craig.
How do I play Royal Troon, and what is nearby?
The Old Course books directly through the club on limited visitor days, with a handicap certificate required. Glasgow Prestwick Airport is ten minutes away, and Turnberry and Prestwick are a short drive down the coast — three championship or former-Open links within half an hour.
Books directly via Book tee time — no agent wait
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