Open Championship links with the Postage Stamp, one of the shortest and most feared holes in championship golf.
Royal Troon and the Firth of Clyde, Ayrshire
Royal Troon has hosted The Open many times, most recently in 2024. The outward nine usually runs south with the wind behind; the homeward nine turns back into it, and that is where the course earns its reputation.
Its most famous hole is also one of its shortest: the Postage Stamp, a tiny par three with a green guarded by deep bunkers and a dune.
The Postage Stamp, the 8th
The Railway hole, the 11th
Views to Arran and Ailsa Craig
Visitor times on the Old Course are available on set days, and a handicap certificate is required. The Portland course makes an excellent second round.
Visitor policies, handicap requirements and tee-time procedures are set by each club and can change. We confirm the current position for your dates and never assume or guarantee access.
Reserve Collection
7–10 nights
Scotland's most prestigious golf destinations
Coast to coast and up into the Highlands, staying in Scotland's most remarkable houses. Every element is made for your party alone.
Explore journey
Courses that sit naturally alongside Royal Troon in a well-paced itinerary.
Prestwick
Birthplace of The Open in 1860, with blind shots and quirks that delight those who love golf history.
Turnberry
Dramatic coastal golf beneath the lighthouse, looking out to Ailsa Craig and Arran.
Irvine
A narrow ribbon of pure links between the railway and the sea.
Tell us when you would like to travel and which other courses you have in mind. We will advise honestly on what is realistic and design the journey around it.
Begin Planning Your Journey