45 minutes south of Glasgow. Scotland’s west coast hosts the heavenly abode of the 2024 Open Championship. The Royal Troon Golf Club’s Old Course is home to the major for the 10th time in history this year. This love story between the venue and the event started back in 1923 with England’s Arthur Havers win.

Through the years, this club has seen it all. Be it the famous 2016 Duel at Troon between Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson or Arnold Palmer’s memorable victory in 1962, Ayrshire is more than a host of premier golf; it’s a host of memories—of broken dreams and never-seen-before accomplishments. The Claret Jug is once again at stake at this historic venue. But what makes this course so unique?

A historic overview of the famous Ayrshire links staging the 2024 Open Championship

The Royal Troon Golf Club came into existence more than a century ago. It was in 1878 that this golf course started its unforgettable journey. However, the Old Course had humble beginnings. Unlike its special 18 holes today, its start had only a 6-hole course. Thanks to the dedicated work of the golf course designer and the club’s first pro, Willie Fernie, it was shaped into the par-71, 7,175-yard masterpiece that it is today.

Following the English Arthur Havers’s victory in the introductory edition of the Open at this venue and the South African Bobby Locke’s success in the edition that followed, there began a seemingly unbeatable streak of wins by American pros. This streak started with Arnold Palmer’s victory in 1962 and only got stronger with the five subsequent editions on this Scottish green. Long back in 1978, thanks to the glory of the late Queen Elizabeth II, this venue became the only club in Great Britain to receive royal status.

It was only with the last edition of the event hosted at this venue in 2016 that this streak came to an end. But it was not without a fight. The American prodigy Phil Mickelson faced the Swedish Henrik Stenson in a playoff. Stenson emerged victorious through his hard-earned domination and broke America’s dominance in this foreign land.

But what are some of the most important holes on this historic course?

Famous holes that add to the glory of the Royal Troon’s Old Course

This Scottish voyage begins and ends with four holes. At the beginning is the 366-yard hole 1 seal, and the ending is glorified by the 458-yard-long 18th hole Craigend. But two of its beautiful yet challenging holes are what catch players’ eyes the most. These include the Postage Stamp (8th hole), the Railway (11th hole), and the Craigend (18th hole).

The postage stamp stands out as the most famous and iconic of the lot. Previously famous as ‘Ailsa’, this par 3, the 123-yard hole, is enough to strike fear in the hearts of golf’s most premium players. Despite its short length, this scenic hole hosts a small putting surface and deep bunkers for its protection. Willie Park Jr. called it “a pitching surface scaled down to the size of a postage stamp,” possibly from where it gets its creative name.

Secondly, there’s the Par 4, 498-yard-long railway. While not the most famous or the shortest, this is renowned as the hardest hole on this stretch. The lore of its challenges even makes it one of the most difficult golf holes. With the wind acting firmly against the strongest of players, a par on the 11th might be perceived as hard as a birdie on any other hole. Living up to its demanding nature, this hole elicits a pro’s best two shots to keep up with its challenges. It’s famously said that “anything less than bogey or better feels like winning the Claret Jug” on the 11th.

Finally, there’s the par-4, 458-yard-long ultimate hole, Craigend, that elicits the need for attention. This back nine-yard finishing hole has three bunkers lined up at an interval of 25 yards each. There’s absolutely no shortage of thrills at this ultimate hole of the Royal Troon’s Old Course. These back-to-back bunkers leave no space for an error. Adding to the misery of the pros,

With out-of-bounds lurking behind the putting surface, there are no easy shots until your ball is on the green. No shortage of drama awaits on the 18th at Royal Troon. What makes matters worse for already tired golfers at this finale is the bunker on the right, which imposes an added level of stress.

An intense challenge awaits talented pros at Royal Troon this weekend. Only time will tell which pro will surpass all odds and lay hands on the Claret Jug.