Inside the Hut : A local Caddie’s perspective on the 2024 Open Championship
‘T’am Arte Quam Marte’ – As much by skill as by strength. Slightly more strength might be required to exit the rough than when the last Open Championship was held in 2016, but Royal Troon is a golf course not likely to be overpowered.
While Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson might have decimated the rest of the field eight years ago, the scoring average made it one of the five toughest venues on tour in 2016, with the cut falling at +5.
Subtle changes have been made through Mackenzie & Ebert which have undoubtedly improved the classic links. A new bunker has been added up the left-hand side of the 1st to catch those taking driver and might make players think twice about opting for the aggressive approach.
It is undoubtedly a gentle opening stretch, though. The first three holes – all par-4s – measure less than 400 yards and will rank among the easiest for the week.
The challenge from there, however, stiffens. New tees on the par-5 4th and 6th bring some extra length and ensure the course has both the longest and shortest hole on the Open rota (for now). Strategically placed bunkers have also been added to the 6th fairway and green site which will see plenty of traffic across the four days.
The approach to the 6th green is a narrow one for those long enough to go for it in two but it pays to be aggressive here as the bail out left leaves a devilishly tricky recovery shot. Laying back to leave a straightforward pitch up the green could yield more birdies.
Aesthetically, there have been positive changes, too. Gorse has been removed in several spots and in its place, sand scrapes have been introduced. It is evident at the par-3 5th where a brilliant new tee close to the coastline has been built, opening up the view of the Firth of Clyde. If the wind blows hard, that is a hole that could wreak havoc.
Few people have greater knowledge of a golf course than local caddies, and if you ask Troon’s regular loopers what their favourite hole is, many will say the 7th. For the pros it represents a good birdie chance, but the new elevated tee box provides a stunning 360-degree viewpoint.
One could argue it makes the hole visually more inviting and that the R&A would’ve been better served adding more yards to take the green out of play, but it also could provide fireworks should the big hitters decide to open their shoulders.
Little can be said about the Postage Stamp that hasn’t been uttered already, but rumours are that a front tee and pin location will be used to bring the famous short hole under 100 yards on one of the tournament days.
That will provide a nice little talking point if it comes to pass, and it will be interesting to see what that does to scores, but equally so, the back pin position is a potential tournament-wrecker.
It was not utilised in 2016 for some reason but the narrow shelf could tempt players who feel they need to press the issue and that will bring with it the potential for all manner of horrors. The coffin bunker on the left is dead (pardon the pun) and you are in the lap of the gods if you end up in any of the other four traps dotted around the green.
If it’s windy, put the feet up and enjoy the carnage.
While a score can still be made on the back nine, it is very much the case that birdies will be easier to find on the outward half. The general rule of thumb for Troon is to make your score early and then hang on for dear life as you turn for home.
The tee shots on the 10th and 11th have the ability to make you wake up in a cold sweat. Players will need full commitment to their lines to avoid reaching for a provisional or sending their ball on a train to Glasgow.
That being said, the 11th (view of tee shot below) has been softened slightly since 2016 and even more so if you look back at the challenge posed in 2004. It doesn’t quite strike the same fear, but it is still a brute, especially if the wind is blowing into and off the left as it so often does.
The 12th provides a little respite and is the final hole playing away from the sanctuary of the clubhouse. Get through there with your score and sanity intact and players then face the prospect of six holes straight into the wind.
Solid golf is required here, particularly on the 13th and 15th – par-4s which measure 473 and 502 yards respectively – and the 242-yard par-3 17th. The latter features an upturned green and arrives at such a pivotal time in the round.
There are chances coming in, though. The par-3 14th tends to cough up plenty of birdies, although it has been lengthened, while the par-5 16th is a green light to attack. A new tee has changed the angle but at 572 yards, it is a fairly tame long hole by modern standards.
It all comes to a crescendo on the 18th. Fairway bunkers – three on the left and Greg Norman’s on the right – are to be avoided at all costs, while the rough on both sides is US Open-esque in places. Find the fairway and the approach shot into the biggest green on the course is relatively straightforward, although again, it is largely dependant on the strength of the wind.
If it is blowy, out of bounds lurks a few paces over the back of the green, while there are four greenside traps. Let’s hope the Claret Jug is won in fitting fashion here.
Garcon Golf will be in Troon all week for The Open this year and you can find us a drive and a strong iron from the first tee at the South Beach Hotel. We hope to see you there.