Royal Troon Golf Course: Where to Stay, What to Do & More

Royal Troon Golf Course: The AGS Cheat Sheet

Written for the 145th Open Championship in 2016, here's our guide to staying & playing at Royal Troon, whether you're heading out for a round with mates, or visiting to spectate a tournament.

If you are considering a Scottish golf trip to Royal Troon, the best place to stay for good quality accommodation would be Glasgow. The recommended way to travel is by Golflink train to Troon, it takes about 30 minutes. Troon station is very close to the golf course and by train, you avoid all of the hassle of parking.

You can enjoy this great golf spectacle with no problem entering or leaving the tournament. If you have non-golfers with you they can choose to stay in Glasgow which has excellent entertainment, culture, restaurants and shopping (see below).

This is the ninth championship to be hosted at this famous links located on a beautiful stretch of the Ayrshire coast. Troon is a traditional out-and-back course with deep rough interspersed with gorse and broom. Add in the prevailing westerly wind and accurate shot making is essential.

The Club became Royal in its centenary year of 1978 and was the last of the royal clubs to receive this honour. Several famous architects have been associated with the development of the course with Alistair MacKenzie of Augusta fame among them. This is majestic links land with the back nine holes as demanding as any in championship golf.

Things to Do & See by Royal Troon Golf Course

Glasgow

Scotland’s largest city and one of the liveliest and most cosmopolitan destinations in Europe. From its industrial and shipbuilding past the city has been reborn as a centre of style and vitality with a backdrop of outstanding architecture. The history stretches back to the Stone Age, but this city is fully modern and no stranger to a good time.

It is renowned for its culture, style, the friendliness of its people and their irreverent sense of humour. There is a balance of internationally-acclaimed museums and galleries, stunning architecture, vibrant nightlife, fantastic shopping and a diverse array of restaurants and bars.

Entertainment

Glasgow enjoys a year-round buzz and the most vibrant and exciting nightlife in Scotland. There is an arts scene that frequently produces cutting-edge productions and draws high-profile exhibitions. The city has a long-standing reputation for its live music scene. In the evening Glasgow comes alive with dining and entertainment options.

After dinner and a drink, you might end your evening listening to up-and-coming bands at King Tut’s Wah-Wah Hut, one of Glasgow’s most celebrated live-music venues.

Shopping

Glasgow is only second to London, England as Britain’s most important shopping city. A popular place to shop is the ‘Style Mile’. There’s something to suit every pocket, popular high street shops, fancy designer outlets or independent boutiques selling lesser-known labels.

Restaurants

Glasgow is full of excellent restaurants to suit every budget. Merchant Square is a stylish hub of bars and restaurants all under one roof. There’s plenty of choice including the Beer Café, Scottish dining at Arisaig, Italian favourite Fanelli’s and Boudoir Wine Bar. Joining the bars and restaurants is a spacious indoor courtyard used for various events such as the weekly craft and design market.

Byres Rd has a wide selection of fine restaurants, especially down Ashton and Ruthven Lanes. To sample something special head to ‘The Ubiquitous Chip’, a multi award-winning restaurant with a menu inspired by Scotland’s natural larder.

Arts & Culture

Art galleries have world-famous collections and museums are in abundance – most with free admission. There are over 20 museums and art galleries, including the award-winning Burrell Collection, the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, the world’s first Museum of Religion and the Riverside Museum, a radical space designed for the city’s transport heritage.

The city is also home both the Scottish Opera and the Scottish Ballet, so there really is no better place to indulge your inner culture vulture.

Architecture 

A speciality in the city where there are countless impressive Victorian structures. However, you also have the splendour of one of the city’s most celebrated sons, the legendary architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928) Architect, born in Glasgow.

He made the ‘Glasgow Style’ famous and had considerable influence on European design. Examples of his work are Glasgow School of Art, Mackintosh House and Hill House at Helensborough. Visit one of the teahouses an institution in Glasgow and not to be missed.

The best is Miss Cranston’s,  Mackintosh designed the interior and Willow Tearooms another famous Mackintosh design in white, purple and silver. Architecture fans will also love The Lighthouse, Scotland’s national centre for design and architecture.

Whisky

Glasgow even has a local distillery. You can visit Glengoyne Distillery where the distillation is very slow compared to other single malt Scotch whisky. This leads to a subtle, complex flavour. Whisky fans will love The Masterclass, an in-depth and comprehensive distillery tour.

Sport

Football (or Soccer) is important in Glasgow. The first-ever international football match was held here. It is home to Scotland’s largest football stadiums, Hampden Park, Celtic Park and Ibrox Stadium. The Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park is really interesting for any fan.

See more of our Scotland Golf Tours, including our St Andrew's Golf Tours, Best of Scotland Golf Tour, and our unforgettable Golf & Whiskey Tours of Scotland. Contact us to book today!