What makes Royal Troon distinctive? Course experts weigh in

GOLF’s Top 100 course panelists are among the most respected and well-traveled course evaluators in the game. They’re also keen to share their opinions. In this GOLF.com series, we unlock their unvarnished views on all questions course-related. Check out GOLF’s latest Top 100 Courses in the U.S., Top 100 Courses in the World, Top 100 Courses You Can Play, Best Municipal Courses in the U.S. and 100 Best Short Courses.

Aside from the famous Postage Stamp 8th hole at Royal Troon, what should the average fan know about this year’s Open Championship host? How does the course compare/contrast to other venues on the rota?

Timothy Gallant, panelist since 2019: Troon is said to be a course of three acts, and that is probably true. The opening six holes are ripe for the picking and there are birdies to be had. The next six play among the more dramatic dunes and feature some of the most well-known and iconic holes on the course. Then comes the challenging finish, which often plays into a prevailing wind.

Simon Holt, panelist since 2019: It’s a course that builds in difficulty. A gentle start, a rambunctious middle, then hold on for dear life on the back nine. At times those finishing holes can feel like a bit of a slog to the club golfer, especially into a stiff Ayrshire breeze. Mostly in the same direction, the closing stretch has no let up, demanding on-shot execution and flighting your ball correctly. Players’ scores on the testing 10th and 11th will set the tone for their back nines more than any other course on the rota.

Paul Arnould, panelist since 2023: Troon’s bunkers are deep and extremely well-placed. Avoiding them is crucial. New tee boxes this year will make the course a hefty test of golf (Is it necessary, though, to bring the mode of stretching championship courses to classic links? I’m not so sure) The 11th, also known as the Railway hole for the train line that runs alongside it, might not be very visual on TV but it is an extremely interesting and difficult hole that stands to influence the outcome of the tournament.

Philip Gawith, panelist since 2019: As others have noted, the back nine is typically a grim affair with closing holes all into the prevailing wind. The 11th is an especially daunting hole with the drive entirely blind from the back tee. Though Troon lacks the beauty of a Turnberry, the history of Hoylake or the grandeur of a Royal St. Georges or Muirfield, it is still a strong course with an exceptional calling card in the Postage Stamp. The last two Opens here produced the anti-climax of Todd Hamilton and the epic of Stenson/Mickelson.