Skip to content
Birdie Brae

A Journal for the Thrifty Gowfer

Ayrshire

Royal Troon Portland Course

Troon, Ayrshire

Plate ILinks course — coastal exposure, firm running turf

Holes
18
Par
71
Type
Links
Ayrshire
Walkability
★★★★☆
Walkable for most
Best Season
May–Sep
Year-round, best Apr–Oct
Visitor Access
Open
Mid-week ideal

The inland sibling of the Old Course. Easier visitor access, fraction of the price.

From the Notebook

The Portland Course runs inland of the Old Course at Royal Troon — a links layout using the same Ayrshire coastal strip but on the landward side of the main line. Less celebrated and significantly cheaper than the Old, the Portland provides a more accessible entry point to Royal Troon for visitors who want to play the club without the full Old Course experience, or who want to combine it with an Old Course round in a two-day visit.

At par 71 and around 6,300 yards, the Portland plays longer than its reputation suggests. The wind is slightly less severe than on the exposed Old Course, but the links ground is genuine, the conditioning is Royal Troon standard, and several holes require the same trajectory management that the famous Old Course demands. The 5th and 14th are the holes most cited by regular Portland players.

Visitor green fee is £135 (2026) — roughly a quarter of the Old Course rate. Visitor access follows similar rules: specific weekday visitor days (check the club website), handicap certificate required (24/36), advance booking essential. The Portland is typically available on the same visitor days as the Old Course, which means a two-round day is possible.

For visitors who secure an Old Course visitor round, the Portland in the afternoon gives a useful comparative round. For those who cannot get an Old Course slot, the Portland provides a legitimate Royal Troon experience at a price that doesn't require the same budgetary commitment. Caddies available and recommended.

The Full Scorecard

Everything else you might want to know.

Course

Designer
Contact club
Founded
Contact club
Style era
Contact club
Yardage (W)
Contact club
Yardage (Y)
Contact club
Yardage (R)
Contact club
Course rating
Contact club
Slope rating
Contact club
Bunkers
Contact club
Greens
Contact club
Walking time
Contact club
Open season
Year-round, best Apr–Oct

Visitor

Dress code
Smart casual, collared shirts
Spikes
Soft only
Booking
Contact club
Twilight
Contact club
Winter rate
Contact club
Senior
Contact club
Junior
Contact club
Buggy
Not available
Trolley
Contact club
Caddie
Contact club

Practical

Address
Troon, Ayrshire, KA10 6EP
Phone
01292 311555
Nearest train
Troon or Prestwick
Nearest airport
Glasgow Prestwick (PIK) (20 min)
Parking
Free
Wi-Fi
Yes, clubhouse
Card payment
Yes
Membership
Contact club
Joining fee
Contact club
Waiting list
Contact club

Fields marked “Contact club” aren’t public-facing in a way we’ve been able to verify. Call the club directly for these — we’ll update the entry when we have it from source.

Conditions This Week

What's the weather doing?

Fetching conditions…

Scored 0–10 for golf — wind, rain, conditions · Full 7-region forecast →

Location

Royal Troon Portland Course on the map

Troon, Ayrshire · KA10 6EPOpen in OpenStreetMap →

While They Golf

For the non-golfer in the party.

Ayrshire isn't only for the golfers. Walks, drives, distilleries, castles, a long lunch — five picks within thirty minutes of the first tee.

The Ayrshire companion guide →

Plan This Round

Three things to sort before you tee off.

Played here? Consider

Three things worth packing.

Picked for links rounds on the Scottish coast.

Outerwear

Galvin Green Andres jacket

Wind off the firth changes club selection two irons. A breathable, fully-waterproof shell that's light enough not to swing in is the single biggest upgrade for Scottish links golf.

Layer

Sunderland of Scotland half-zip

Scottish-made merino — the locals' choice for shoulder-season rounds. Warm enough for a 7am tee time in October, light enough for the back nine when the sun comes out.

Tech

Garmin Approach S70 GPS

Handles blind tee shots and exposed-coastal yardage cleanly. Battery lasts a 36-hole day; the wind-direction overlay justifies the price on its own.

Stays Nearby

Where to stay near Troon

Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering within easy reach of Troon. Tap any property to check rates.

Rates and availability via Stay22. We may earn a small commission if you book — at no extra cost to you. How affiliate links work.

Frequently Asked

Visitors usually want to know.

Can visitors play at weekends?
Visitors are welcome but mid-week is markedly easier and quieter. Confirm a weekend tee time as far ahead as you can — popular Saturdays book up first.
How early can I book a tee time?
Phone or email the pro shop to confirm. Most Scottish clubs accept visitor bookings 7–30 days ahead; group bookings of 8+ can be arranged further ahead.
Is there a dress code?
Smart casual, collared shirts. Soft only.
Are buggies allowed?
Buggies are not generally available — the course is walked. Hire a trolley at the pro shop if you'd rather not carry.
What's the best time of year to play?
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep for full conditions. Late May and early Sep are quietest with fair value. Year-round, best Apr–Oct.
Cite this page: birdiebrae.co.uk/courses/royal-troon-portlandLast verified 10 June 2026 by Birdie Brae editorial · Report a change

The Sunday Post

A good round, a fair fee, and a story from the clubhouse.

One email, most Sundays. No affiliate spam, no drip funnel, no nonsense. Just the tee time we'd book this week, the muni we'd play before work, and one piece of Scottish golf history worth the read.

Written by someone who actually plays here.

Put me on the list.

Unsubscribe any time — no hard feelings.

We send one email a week. No more, no less.