How does Royal Troon evaluate to different Open venues?

GOLF’s Prime 100 course panelists are among the many most revered and well-traveled course evaluators within the sport. They’re additionally eager to share their opinions. On this GOLF.com collection, we unlock their unvarnished views on all questions course-related. Take a look at GOLF’s newest Prime 100 Programs within the U.S., Prime 100 Programs within the World, Prime 100 Programs You Can Play, Finest Municipal Programs within the U.S. and 100 Finest Quick Programs.

Other than the well-known Postage Stamp eighth gap at Royal Troon, what ought to the common fan find out about this yr’s Open Championship host? How does the course evaluate/distinction to different venues on the rota?

Timothy Gallant, panelist since 2019: Troon is alleged to be a course of three acts, and that’s in all probability true. The opening six holes are ripe for the choosing and there are birdies available. The following six play among the many extra dramatic dunes and have a number of the most well-known and iconic holes on the course. Then comes the difficult end, which frequently performs right into a prevailing wind.

Simon Holt, panelist since 2019: It’s a course that builds in issue. A mild begin, a rambunctious center, then maintain on for expensive life on the again 9. At occasions these ending holes can really feel like a little bit of a slog to the membership golfer, particularly right into a stiff Ayrshire breeze. Principally in the identical course, the closing stretch has no let up, demanding on-shot execution and flighting your ball appropriately. Gamers’ scores on the testing tenth and eleventh will set the tone for his or her again nines greater than some other course on the rota.

Paul Arnould, panelist since 2023: Troon’s bunkers are deep and very well-placed. Avoiding them is essential. New tee containers this yr will make the course a hefty take a look at of golf (Is it crucial, although, to carry the mode of stretching championship programs to basic hyperlinks? I’m not so certain) The eleventh, also referred to as the Railway gap for the prepare line that runs alongside it, won’t be very visible on TV however it’s an especially attention-grabbing and tough gap that stands to affect the result of the match.

Philip Gawith, panelist since 2019: As others have famous, the again 9 is usually a grim affair with closing holes all into the prevailing wind. The eleventh is an particularly daunting gap with the drive fully blind from the again tee. Although Troon lacks the fantastic thing about a Turnberry, the historical past of Hoylake or the grandeur of a Royal St. Georges or Muirfield, it’s nonetheless a powerful course with an distinctive calling card within the Postage Stamp. The final two Opens right here produced the anti-climax of Todd Hamilton and the epic of Stenson/Mickelson.