Royal Troon Portland Course

About Royal Troon Portland Course

The Portland is made up of two loops, each containing nine holes. While this links track may seem easy enough on the scorecard, with its par 3-laden front nine, the four par fives on the back nine ensure you're left in no doubt about the unique challenges presented.

A Brief History

• The golf club itself was founded in 1878
• The Portland Course opened for play in 1895
• Originally called the Relief Course until 1924
• Royal Troon held its first Open Championships on the Old Course in 1923
• Lies between the Old Course, the practice ground, the Craigend course and the Glasgow Railway Line on the other side

Featured hole – Hole 17

Hole 17, the Fullarton, is named after the Duke of Portland, whose Troon home was called Fullarton House. This is a nifty, short par four with a difference, demanding a challenging tee shot that you need to send over to the left side of the fairway to avoid the nasty rough and whins to your right. On the other hand taking it too far to the left will prove disastrous, since there's a ditch running parallel to the 17th fairway. If you manage to navigate these initial obstacles, there's still a challenge to overcome courtesy of a tricky pitch to the well-bunkered green.

Known For: Delivering a True Links Challenge

The Portland lies inland from Royal Troon Old course itself, and is quite a bit shorter. Though easier than its sister course, it's still well known and loved for delivering a genuine links challenge. The greens are marvellous - just as good if not better, in many’s opinion - than those on the Old course, and the holes meander over firm terrain watched over by colourful heather and broom. Best of all, the course features four satisfying par-5s on the back nine. The Stroke Index one par-4 6th is great fun and the short par-4 17th is particularly tricky thanks to the stream running down the left hand side.