Evolution of the 18th tee at Troon

[Matt Schoolfield]

2004:



2016:



2024:



It's got a fancy new sand splash this year... not entirely sure how I feel about it. I think the long grass would look fine.

[Charlie Goerges]

I'd be curious what the defense of it would be? For people who've played it with the sand, does it come into play or direct the eye for alignment purposes or something like that?

[Matt Schoolfield]

I'd be curious what the defense of it would be? For people who've played it with the sand, does it come into play or direct the eye for alignment purposes or something like that?

Definitely not in play. It looks like maybe they had to reduce the elevation in front of the new tee. If that's the case, I'm still not exactly sure why they decided to then place a big bunker there... maybe drainage?

[Jason Thurman]

Troon has a lot of those blowout-like bunkers around its margins - it's not inconsistent with the rest of the course aesthetically. None of them appear to be particularly in play, but they're out there.

[Ally Mcintosh]

I barely noticed it when I was there 6 weeks ago (not playing from the back).


Looks horrendous and completely superfluous from above.

[Thomas Dai]

Nature will likely have grassed it over in a few years time. Same likely with other deliberately opened-up sandscapes at other courses. Grass likes to take over areas and unless it’s kept back, which is maintenance intensive, it usually does.
Atb