Royal Troon Golf Club

Portland is the second 18-hole course at Royal Troon Golf Club, designed by Willie Fernie and opened in 1895, just a year after the club's founding. While the Old Course at Royal Troon occupies the dramatic links land along the Ayrshire coast, Portland sits inland on slightly higher ground, offering a contrasting but complementary golfing experience. The course measures shorter than its championship neighbor and features tighter fairways lined with gorse, presenting a different set of strategic challenges. The routing takes advantage of rolling terrain and natural contours, with several elevated tees providing views across the Firth of Clyde toward the Isle of Arran. Portland's design emphasizes accuracy over length, rewarding precise iron play and thoughtful course management. The gorse that frames many holes comes into play throughout the round, demanding careful navigation. The greens are typically firm and subtly contoured in the Scottish tradition. Portland serves as the members' everyday course at Royal Troon and has hosted qualifying rounds for Open Championships held on the Old Course. The layout provides an accessible yet genuine links experience, with the prevailing wind often dictating club selection and strategy. While less celebrated than its famous neighbor, Portland maintains the club's standards of conditioning and offers visitors a complete picture of golf at one of Scotland's historic links venues.