Royal Troon Golf Club (Old Course)

The Turn That Tests Troon

The Old Course at Royal Troon Golf Club began with a short layout in 1878. Charles Hunter guided its first formation, George Strath extended it, and Willie Fernie shaped much of the course golfers recognise today. James Braid later added length and stronger bunkering before the club's first Open Championship in 1923.

The routing becomes more severe as it turns away from the shore. The opening six holes run beside the sea, often with the prevailing wind. Across the middle section, holes change direction through dunes and gorse, with four consecutive blind drives from the ninth.

After the turn, the course asks for controlled ball flight and patient positioning. The inward half is longer, usually faces the prevailing wind, and finishes beside the stone clubhouse. At the par-five 16th, a ditch crosses the fairway at driving distance. The raised green at the 17th falls away on three sides, while the 18th places the clubhouse and out-of-bounds path close behind the target.