Royal Dornoch Golf Club

Golf Road,

Dornoch, Sutherland IV25 3LW

  • Office

    +44(0)1862 810 219
  • Pro shop

    +44 (0)1862 810 902
  • Fax

    +44 (0)1862 810 792
  • Golf pro

    Andrew Skinner (PGA, Head Professional).
  • Academy

    The Links Academy at Royal Dornoch

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Seaside links. Gently undulating terrain - easy to walk

  • Surroundings:

    Coastal duneland.

  • Designer:

    Extension from original 9-holes to 18 designed by Old Tom Morris (1886). Later improvements made by John Sutherland, Donald Ross (born in Dornoch) and JH Taylor.

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Yards
6732
6229
5956
Par
70
70
76
SSS or slope
74
71
76

At the same location:

Above distances are for the Championship course. Also at Royal Dornoch is the 18-hole Struie course (par-72, 6,276 yds from back tees). Originally known as the Ladies course, the Struie contains three holes (the present 14th, 15th & 16th) from the original course. The Struie was recently revamped to provide a second championship course at Royal Dornoch.

Location

Latitude:

57.879109

Longitude:

-4.022675

How to get there:

o.2 mi E of Dornoch centre / 45 mi N of Inverness.

From the A9, 3 mi north of Dornoch Firth Bridge, turn right onto the A949 direction Dornoch. After 1.9 mi turn right direction Beach/Hotel. After 200 yds turn left into Golf Rd. After 300 yds golf car park is on your left.

Royal Dornoch Golf Club

5-PLUS: In the world’s elite - has few peers; one of our top-rated 5s!

Est. 1877

Royal Dornoch Golf Club: For four hundred years (it is said) Dornoch has been weaving its spell on all who come to play on these majestic and humbling links. The Championship layout (versus the shorter Struie course) is understandably regarded as one of the world's finest golf courses. In a gloriously timeless setting, you will enjoy stunning sea views onto Dornoch Firth from all parts of this wonderfully natural course.

Dornoch's classic out-and-back layout, is attended by excellent revetted bunkering, abundant gorse bushes and well-defended elevated greens. Here you have all the ingredients for a truly memorable round ... golfing nirvana, especially if the weather is in cooperative mood. Much of the time the good-width fairways stretch out before you, with any trouble (... bunkers, bushes and the Bay) all clear to see from the tee. On a couple of occasions blind drives are needed, while the closing stretch of four holes demands good course management and a wee bit of local knowledge.

In late-spring and early-summer the course is ablaze with the bright yellow flowering gorse, amplifying the year-round picture perfect scenery. Royal Dornoch provides fond and lasting memories to virtually all who play here. Few other courses are its equal in this regard.

List of courses: Scotland - North

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays, Sundays and Saturdays (after 2pm).

Must book in advance. Proof of handicap may be required.

Green fees

Visitor fee, 18-holes in high season (April thru' Oct) (all days): £250.

Contact club for full details, discounts, day & combination tickets, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].

Other information

Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire on medical grounds. Caddies available (if pre-booked).

Practice facilities

Limited

Did you know?

There is clear documentary evidence that golf was played in Dornoch as long ago as the early 1600s, although a 9-hole golf club was not established until 1877. Donald Ross, at one time the professional and green-keeper at Dornoch, incorporated many of the layout's features into courses he later designed in the USA, among them Pinehurst's legendary No.2 course.

King Edward VII conferred the Royal prefix on Dornoch GC in 1906. By royal prerogative, 10 Scottish golf clubs use the "Royal" title, namely: Aberdeen, Royal & Ancient (St Andrews), Burgess, Dornoch, Duff House, Montrose, Musselburgh, Perth, Tarlair and Troon.

Published ranking

Championship course:
Scotland's 4th best course (Golf World, 2022).
Britain & Ireland's 4th best course (Golf World, 2022).
World's 10th best course (GOLF Magazine, 2021/22) and 5th best public access course (Golf World, 2023).
Struie course:
Scotland's 95th best course.

Where2Stay

  • The Royal Golf Hotel4-star

    The First Tee, Dornoch, Sutherland IV25 3LG

    +44 (0)1463 796 111

    Visit website

    The Royal Golf Hotel is situated right on the first tee of the world renowned Royal Dornoch Golf Club. From April 2010 the hotel will offer 22 four-star bedrooms, cosy log fires, a golfers’ bar, plus informal wining and dining in the conservatory overlooking the first tee.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Royal Dornoch

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      No

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Golspie; Brora; Tain; Skibo Castle

  • Dornoch Castle Hotel3-star

    Castle Street, Dornoch, Sutherland IV25 3SD

    +44 (0)1862 810 216

    Visit website

    Steeped in Scottish history and fascinating legends, the 15th century Dornoch Castle Hotel firmly stands its ground opposite the inspiring 12th century Dornoch Cathedral. Set in private and beautifully manicured gardens.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      Royal Dornoch (Championship & Struie courses)

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Golspie; Brora; Tain; Skibo Castle (private).

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