Championship Course

at Royal Dornoch Golf Club

Royal Dornoch’s Championship Course is a truly great links course, and some say if it was not located so far north in Scotland that it would have hosted its fair share of Open Championships. The course offers a blend of stunning views across the Dornoch Firth, challenging and varied holes, gorse-lined fairways and its famous ‘upturned saucer’ greens which often prevents the more traditional ‘bump and run shots’ from being played.

Designed by Old Tom Morris in 1895, the par-70 measures 6754-yards from the back tees (other tee options are available) but runs nice and fast during summer due to the perfect links soil. Put the scorecard away here and just take in the magnificent surroundings and stunning layout; this is an experience to savour and an example of why golfers travel far and wide to play the game.

Signature Holes

The par-4, 14th ‘Foxy’ is often regarded as the signature hole and possibly the most difficult on the course. There are no man-made hazards, instead, golfers face a series of hillocks heading up to a raised narrow green of subtle contours. At 445-yards hitting the green in two shots is a fine accomplishment in itself. The hole captures what Royal Dornoch is all about and is something of a throwback to how golf courses were originally designed.

Did You Know?

Written records show that golf was played on the links land in the town of Dornoch as early as 1630, well before the first 18-hole golf course was formed in the 1800’s.