The eighth hole at Royal Troon Golf Club is famously known as the ‘Postage Stamp’.
This year, Royal Troon will host The Open Championship again, and the par-3 eighth hole will continue to build its legendary status.
Originally called ‘Aisla’, the name changed after William Park Jr. compared its tiny green to a postage stamp.
“A pitching surface skimmed down to the size of a postage stamp,” Park wrote in Golf Illustrated.
The Challenge of the Postage Stamp:
At just 123 yards from the championship tees, it’s not only the shortest hole on this course but also in The Open’s history. This year, it might play even shorter—down to 99 yards with forward tees and a front pin location. Despite its short length, it’s one of Royal Troon’s trickiest holes.
Paul Casey shared his thoughts: “It’s the possibilities…a double bogey or a birdie, right there, just a millimetre difference.”
Perched high up at Royal Troon, golfers must hit down onto an extremely narrow green protected by five bunkers. One bunker is even called ‘the coffin’, making accuracy crucial. Even top pros like Tiger Woods have struggled here; he had a triple-bogey six in 1997 that dashed his title hopes.
Fans might think this hole adds extra excitement to The Open with its unpredictability.
The Postage Stamp has earned respect for challenging even elite players through clever design rather than distance alone. Paul McGinley praised it: “It’s about course management…shaping a shot…touch and feel.”
Henrik Stenson noted: “You hit a good shot, you make two; you hit a bad one you can walk away with five.” He suggested fans who enjoy seeing drama should watch from this hole’s grandstand on tough days.
Phil Mickelson added that it perfectly shows how to challenge top players without needing long distances.
This year’s Open will see an L-shaped grandstand around the Postage Stamp seating 1,500 spectators—ready for some thrilling golf action!
What do you think about such challenging holes?
