Located in Scotland’s South Ayrshire, Troon is home to the famous Royal Troon Golf Club. In a country that is said to have invented the game of golf as it is currently played, the Royal Troon is a crown jewel. If you are a serious golfer and plan a vacation to Scotland, avoid the overrun area of Fife and head to Troon instead.
Stay at the South Beach Hotel
On South Beach in Troon, Ayrshire
+44 (0)1292 312033
With only 32 bedrooms, the South Beach Hotel in Troon is considered an insider tip for those in search of privately owned hospitality venues. Experience the type of ambiance you simply cannot get from a chain hotel or a commercial resort. Since the Royal Troon frequently hosts tournaments, it is a good idea to book your stay as soon as possible to avoid having to find other quarters somewhere else in Ayrshire.
Eat at Maharani
42 West Portland Street in Troon, Ayrshire
+44 (0)1292 311797
Open daily from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; also open for lunch Friday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The cuisine at the South Beach Hotel focuses on local produce from Ayrshire. There are dishes such as cream of cauliflower soup, seafood tartlets, Dalduff sirloin steaks and highland venison. If your tastes are more in line with Indian cuisine, try Maharani. Western dishes include chicken Maryland and sirloin steak but authentic Indian meals feature tandoori makhani masala, lamb nawabi pasanda and green chicken curry.
Golf at the Royal Troon
Craigend Road in Troon, Ayrshire
+44 (0)1292 311555
Visitor Hours Vary by Course and Season
The Royal Troon features three distinct courses. There is the Old Course, which caters to the accurate player, the Portland Course with lots of Par 3s, and the Craigend Course that appeals to junior and senior players. The latter course is also a good choice for families with players of different abilities.
Please note that golfing the Royal Troon as a visitor comes with a lot of rules and regulations. The dress code — tailored shorts for ladies and casual golf wear for gentlemen — is not negotiable. Access to the dining room and clubhouse calls for more formal attire. The Old Course is closed to youngsters under the age of 16. The club also restricts the days and times a visitor is permitted to play, so book your tee times well in advance — usually about three to five months — to avoid any disappointments after arriving in Troon.
Insider Tip for Golfing in Troon
Although the Royal Troon is within walking distance from the South Beach Hotel, do not let your Scottish golf vacation go by without also playing the Irvine Golf Club. Located at Bogside in Irvine, Ayrshire, it features far fewer restrictions to visiting golfers than the Royal Troon. Call +44 (1)294 275979 to set up a tee time. It is at this course that you might want to warm up your game play and get over the jet lag before heading to the championship golf course.
