Where to Stay
Beds in Troon
Hotels, lodges and self-catering near the first tee. Map-style search via Stay22 covering Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb and Vrbo.
A Journal for the Thrifty Gowfer
Ayrshire
Troon, Ayrshire
Plate I — Links course — coastal exposure, firm running turf
The inland sibling of the Old Course. Easier visitor access, fraction of the price.
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
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Conditions This Week
Scored 0–10 for golf — wind, rain, conditions · Full 7-region forecast →
Location
Troon, Ayrshire · KA10 6EPOpen in OpenStreetMap →
While They Golf
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
Where to Stay
Hotels, lodges and self-catering near the first tee. Map-style search via Stay22 covering Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb and Vrbo.
How to Get There
Glasgow Prestwick (PIK) is 20 minutes away by car. Train + onward taxi works for the carless visitor.
Insure Your Round
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Played here? Consider
Picked for links rounds on the Scottish coast.
Outerwear
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
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
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
Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering within easy reach of Troon. Tap any property to check rates.
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Frequently Asked
Nearby courses
Ayrshire golf hub
Browse all Ayrshire courses →
The Open coast. Royal Troon, Turnberry, Prestwick — the trio that defined links golf, plus the municipal courses that locals quietly play for a tenth of the price.
While they golf — Troon
For the non-golfer in Troon →
Take the A719 south from Troon to Robert Adam's clifftop Culzean Castle or the Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway — both within 20 minutes, no planning needed.
Getting there by train
On TripSCOTAbout 5 minutes on foot or by taxi from Royal Troon. Glasgow Central in 50 min by ScotRail.
Read more about Ayrshire
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