I walked every hole at Royal Troon to find the best Open Championship viewing areas for spectators

I walked the British Open course at Royal Troon to find the best viewing points for spectators.

Are you coming to watch the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon this week? I walked the course and visited every grandstand to find the best places for spectators to catch the action.

It’s vital that you plan where you’re going to view the action before you head to Royal Troon to watch The Open, so I got my walking boots on and strode all 18 holes to save you a job when you arrive.

Every course on The Open Championship rota is different – some are better for viewing than others. For me, you must take advantage of the grandstands for the best spectator experiences at Troon because, like St Andrews, it’s a pretty flat course, making it hard to see lots of action from ground level. I’d also recommend bringing a pair of binoculars to enhance your experience or, if you don’t own any, head straight for The Open shop and hire a pair for the day.

Troon is a classic out-and-back links course, so if you’re planning to head to the famous par-3 8^th Postage Stamp, you’ll need to allow time to walk out there. It’s a good 40-minute walk once you get into the course. But you don’t have to go that far for a good view, as I discovered during my morning schlep around the lengthy layout.

• Hole-by-hole course guide from Royal Troon member Colin Montgomerie

Best spectator vantage points at Royal Troon

1st tee grandstand

Ok, you’ll see limited action from here, but it’s the 1^st tee at an Open Championship so you could settle down here for the entire day and see every player in the field get their rounds underway. It’s arguably the prettiest opening tee of them all on the Open rota with views out to the sea and back towards the town of Troon. If you get a clear day, you’ll also be able to see Ailsa Craig. Get yourself to the far left of the stand and you’ll also get a view of the 18^th green. Don’t expect huge drama here, especially if the wind gets up, because it’s a pretty gentle opener and we don’t expect to see too many players pulling out their driver.

1^st green grandstand

Don’t expect a sprawling grandstand with hundreds of seats. Instead, you’ll find a standing-only grandstand with two tiers. Get yourself to the back right corner (back left as you look at it) and you’ll have an excellent view back down the 1^st hole, across to the 18^th hole.

18^th grandstand

It’s another obvious choice, but there’s a reason why these seats are taken fast, especially on Sunday when the Claret Jug winner will be decided. There are stands either side of the green with the clubhouse to the rear. We’d choose the grandstand to the left as you look towards the green from the fairway. Not only does it ensure you’re sheltered from the sea if the wind kicks in, it gives you an excellent view of the hole. If that’s not a concern then head to the top and you’ll be able to look back at some action down the 1^st. Plus, you’ve got the famous yellow scoreboards to keep you up to date with everything that’s happening and there are toilets underneath if you’ve enjoyed a beer or two from The Open Arms.

5th green grandstand

Par-3 grandstands are always a great place to view the action and this 220-yarder is the first ‘short’ hole on the card. It plays downwind but requires a 220-yard carry to clear the first bunker, so holding the green could prove a challenge, especially if things firm up. It’s a theme to my advice, but get up the back if you can. You’ll enjoy beautiful views down the coastline, can see the par-5 4th’s green, and the tee shot on the 6^th. Look over your shoulder and you’ll be able to see the approach shots from the 6^th fairway.

8th green grandstand

The standout viewing point at the 2024 British Open. It’s going to get busy, so you’ll want to be there early. Not only do you get a full view of the most famous hole on the course – the par-3 Postage Stamp with its Coffin Bunker – but you get a great view of the 7^th hole and, if you look behind you, you’ll be able to see the action on the 9^th, too. It’s a big grandstand running from tee to green, but try and get into the top left side as you approach (or check with a marshal to see which entrance takes you to the greenside seats). There are toilets and some refreshment stands just outside, too.

Spectator village

It’s not a vantage point as such, because you won’t be watching the action in person, but the Spectator Village at The Open is always a fantastic spot. Head towards the main Open Shop and you’ll see the village next to the entrance. Grab a pint from The Open Arms or some food from the huge array of vendors and you can settle down at one of the benches or grab one of the huge beanbags and lay in front of the enormous screen that will be showing all of the action from across the course. You can also stroll into the HSBC Golfzone to see some fantastic Open memorabilia, take on some fun challenges, and head into the mammoth shop to grab all your Troon keepsakes.

14^th tee

Another standing option, but a really good spot. Stand in the back right corner, just for some height, and you’ll get a good view of the par 3 and across to the 13^th green. Alternatively, get to the top of the grandstand behind the 13^th green and you’ll be able to see the action on both holes.

17^th green

The final par 3 and another great viewing opportunity as the players’ rounds draw to a (hopefully) dramatic close. There’s a theme, here, but head to the top right corner or anywhere down the right side of the stand (left as you look at it) and you’ll be able to see both the short hole and, if you glance behind, you’ll be able to see the players going down the 18^th. This is where those binoculars we mentioned earlier will prove key!

The practice grounds

I love spending time here when I’m at The Open. You can see the players up close as they work their way through the bag, look at what they’re working on, try and fathom what the various training aids are for (we’re looking at you, Matt Fitzpatrick), and keep an eye out for any hostilities between the PGA Tour and LIV stars (spoiler: there aren’t any). There are plenty of seats or you can wander down to the chipping and putting greens to see them working on their short games. There are even big screens firing out all the stats and data from the players’ shots down the range. If you want to watch Bryson, Rory, Scottie, Tiger and co ripping drivers, hitting stingers, and finessing wedges, this is the place to be.

• What happened in previous Open Championships at Royal Troon?

Handy tips and advice

• Ensure your mobile is on silent in the stands, for obvious reasons. No one wants to feel the wrath of a tour pro, caddie, or marshall when your chosen ringtone blares out right in the middle of a backswing.
• Don’t take any video – it’s not permitted and the marshals will be keeping a close eye.
• Photos are allowed on practice days but not on the four tournament days.
• Bring a cool bag with some food and drinks if you want to save some cash and save leaving your seat.
• You can’t drink alcohol in the stands so don’t buy a pint and expect to head to your dream seat!
• There’s no smoking or vaping allowed in the stands so fill your lungs before you take your seat if you’re that way inclined.
• Children aren’t allowed in the stands without an adult. Sorry parents, you’re not getting rid of them that easily.
• If your children want to get their flags signed by their heroes then head down to the range and the Kids Autograph Zone where the players will happily chat and give the youngsters a squiggle on their way to and from their practice sessions.

About the Author

Rob Jerram – Digital Editor

Rob specializes in the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the Ryder Cup, spending large chunks of his days reading about, writing about, and watching the tours each month.

He’s passionate about the equipment used by professional golfers and is also a font of knowledge regarding golf balls, rangefinders, golf trolleys, and golf bags, testing thousands down the years.

You can email Rob or get in touch with him on X.