Deciphering the Hole Names at Royal Troon
The five Scottish courses that made it into the first edition of the World Atlas of Golf, published in 1976, were the Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie, Royal Dornoch, Muirfield, and Turnberry. Royal Troon didn’t make the cut. The 2008 edition, published by Hamlyn, did include Royal Troon, but the first couple of sentences […]
9 Best Par Threes on the Open Championship Rota
Ever since eight competitors first encountered Prestwick’s 167-yard 3rd hole—called Tunnel (Red)—at the inaugural Open Championship in 1860, par threes have played a significant role in the outcome of golf’s oldest major tournament. Only 12 holes then, Prestwick expanded to 18 holes in 1882, then fell off the Open Rota after 1925, but its challenging […]
How to Watch the 2024 Open Championship
Here’s how to watch the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club. Viewing Schedule – 152nd Open Championship Round (Date) Time (ET) Platform Round 1 (Thursday, July 18) 1:30 am – 4:00 am Peacock Round 1 (Thursday, July 18) 4:00 am – 3:00 pm USA Network Round 1 (Thursday, July 18) 3:00 pm – […]
Is Royal Troon the Weakest of the Open Rota Courses?
Let’s make one thing clear from the start: the Old Course at Royal Troon Golf Club is one of western Scotland’s premier links. It wasn’t chosen to host the Open Championship 10 times for nothing. Its seaside location in Ayrshire, its long and proud history, the warmth of the club’s welcome, and the number of […]
Top 10 Fun Facts About Royal Troon
Since its earliest days in the 1870s, Royal Troon has epitomized a traditional club environment and proper championship golf. Yet, as this storied venue on the west coast of Scotland prepares to host its 10th Open Championship, the one constant has been change, in a desire for improvement. With an eye on the soon approaching […]
Geoff Shackelford: A Plea for the Wee Par Three
No hole in golf offers a richer combination of fun and fright for pros and amateurs alike than the short one-shotter The wee par three is having a moment. Surprising as it is to believe, the little knee-knocking, heart-stopping thrillers had fallen out of favor, one-shotters under 155-or-so yards becoming victims as developers and architects […]
Great Holes of the British Isles: 8th, Royal Troon, “Postage Stamp”
Champion golfer Gene Sarazen is probably best known for the “Shot Heard ’Round the World”—the double-eagle he scored on the 15th hole in the 1935 Masters that earned him a spot in a playoff, which he won. But if you could ask The Squire which of his career shots was the most satisfying, he just […]
Golf’s 18 Most Famous Holes (Front Nine)
Over the years, we’ve all seen a thousand lists ranking golf’s 18 “best” holes. But seldom have we come across any naming the best-known holes in the game. Whether it be by TV exposure, social media fandom, or just plain old reputation, certain holes acquire a measure of fame over time. They may not be […]
18 Exceptional Golf Courses in the Shadow of the Open Championship Venues
“Why then the world’s mine oyster, Which I with sword will open.” —The Merry Wives of Windsor Smiling at these words, you put down your book of Shakespeare and fall into a deep sleep. Now begins a remarkably vivid dream that fuses the quote with your other favorite subjects: golf and travel. The dream begins […]
10 of the Decade’s Toughest Major Championship Holes
In all, 39 championships were played over the last decade and 29 different major champions crowned—equaling a plethora of moments etched in the history of the game. A total of 29 different golf courses played host to majors over the last 10 years—some much more difficult than others. Which were toughest? And more specifically, which […]
