Scotland, United Kingdom
Royal Dornoch Golf Club is spellbinding. It seems to mesmerise amateur and professional golfers from all over the world and many make the pilgrimage to this natural links at some point in their lives.
Royal Dornoch Golf Club (Championship)
Royal Dornoch Golf Club is spellbinding. It seems to mesmerise amateur and professional golfers from all over the world and many make the pilgrimage to this natural links at some point in their lives.
Royal Dornoch Golf Club is spellbinding. It seems to mesmerise amateur and professional golfers from all over the world and many make the pilgrimage to this natural links at some point in their lives. Let’s be honest, for most people, it takes a concerted effort to get to Dornoch. For those who live in Glasgow, the drive by car will take about four hours.
In 1630, according to the Guinness Book of Golf Facts and Feats, Sir Robert Gordon described the course in glowing terms. Dornoch… “doe surpass the fields of Montrose or St Andrews”, he wrote. There are also written records showing that golf was played at Dornoch in 1616, long before its first nine-hole golf club was founded in 1877.
In 1886, Old Tom Morris “updated” the original nine holes and came back three years later to extend the course to 18 holes. John H. Taylor later made changes to the layout with guidance from the club’s secretary, John Sutherland. After the Second World War, George Duncan added six new holes (6 to 11), when former holes 13-18 were incorporated into the new Struie course.
It’s the timeless setting that makes Royal Dornoch such a pleasing place to play golf. It’s wild, isolated and, at the same time, absolutely beautiful; there’s the blaze of colour in early summer when the gorse is in flower. The pure white sandy beach divides the links from the Dornoch Firth and it all feels very humbling.
Ostensibly the course itself is pretty straightforward: it’s an out-and-back layout. Many of the greens, though, are built on natural raised plateaux making approach play especially challenging. It’s the raised domed greens that became the trademark of Dornoch’s most famous son, Donald Ross. Born in 1872, Ross became the club’s head green-keeper and professional. He later emigrated to the States and became one of the greatest golf course architects of all time. Many of his designs, most notably Pinehurst No.2, bear the hallmark of Royal Dornoch’s greens.
There are plenty of great holes to choose from at Royal Dornoch. The 4th is in the middle of a stretch of three excellent par fours. The line from the tee is the statue of the Duke of Sutherland. “Whinny Brae” is the par three 6th that signals the change from the low-lying holes to the more elevated ones. It requires an accurate tee shot across a swathe of gorse that wraps its way around the plateau green. The 14th, called “Foxy”, is a long par four, measuring almost 445 yards, and it is one of the most simple and natural holes in golf featuring a classical Donald Ross domed green.
The town of Dornoch is steeped in history; there has been a human settlement in the area for over 4,000 years. The witch’s stone stands in a local garden, commemorating Scotland’s last “witch” burning. The stone says 1722, but Janet Horne, the alleged witch, was tried and condemned to death in 1727.
Most people know about Dornoch and many have this course on their must-play list. All we can say is that you shouldn’t leave it too late (as did Bernard Darwin), this course must be played sooner rather than later. "And then, alas!—worst of all the deficiencies in my education—there is Dornoch. I never seem yet to have enough time or enough money to get so far north."
In 2017, Tom Mackenzie of Mackenzie & Ebert oversaw a number of improvements made in-house to holes 5, 10, 11 and 12. Shortly after these were implemented, work began on creating a new 7th hole, routing it closer to the edge of the escarpment, with the old gorse bushes removed to open up views of the coastline for the entire length of the hole.
The new hole opened for play in 2020 and the green is now shaped exactly to the dimensions of the old one. New tees were also be built on the site of the former 7th green, allowing golfers to tee from the top of the hill as part of the original design intent of Old Tom Morris.
Hard on the heels of this upgrade, the club carried out a major improvement of the par four 8th hole during the winter of 2022, with an in-house team removing hundreds of tons of soil and gorse to open up the views beyond the green below. New tees were pushed towards the location of the old 7th green, resulting in most approach shots now being played from the top of the escarpment, as was the case originally envisaged – in essence, the clock has been turned back to play the hole as it was meant to be played.
Scotland is home to some of the most famous golf courses in the world, but playing them during the peak season isn't as simple as picking a date and booking a tee time. In this guide, Top100 breaks down how far in advance you should book your Scottish golf trip, highlighting the courses you should target at 12–18 months, 9–12 months, six months and three months out. 12–18 Months Muirfield – Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers The second-ranked golf course in Scotland, Muirfield has hosted 16 Open Championships and remains one of the country's ultimate bucket-list destinations for avid golfers. It is also a prime example of why planning well in advance is essential when building a Scottish golf trip. Muirfield's visitor booking process is unusually structured. For 2027, the diary for independent golfers opened on March 18, 2026, and closed on March 27, with applications accepted only during that window. Visiting golfers could submit up to three preferred dates, with only one application permitted per group. Another important consideration for groups wanting to play Muirfield is that, during the peak months of May to September, the club does not accept bookings for singles, two-balls or three-balls. Smaller groups can instead join a waiting list in the hope that a fourball becomes available through a cancellation. If Muirfield is non-negotiable on your Scottish golf bucket list, it should be one of the first things your group books – even before flights and accommodation. Royal Dornoch Golf Club – Championship Course Regularly ranked among the finest golf courses in the world, Royal Dornoch's Championship Course is another Scottish bucket-list destination where the "book it when the diary opens" mentality is justified. The demand for tee times is enormous. When Royal Dornoch opened its 2027 tee sheet in May 2026, the club revealed that summer availability for 2026 was already extremely limited, with the remaining vacant fourball slots falling late in the afternoon. More than 13,000 rounds are allocated to visiting golfers each year, but the course's global reputation means those tee times are in huge demand. Booking applications are only accepted by email and processed in chronological order. The club itself advises golfers to look ahead when planning a trip to Dornoch, and with demand showing little sign of slowing, leaving it until six or three months before your trip is a gamble. If Royal Dornoch is a priority for your trip, it should be one of the first tee times you secure. St Andrews Links – Old Course No Scottish golf trip is complete without discussing the Old Course at St Andrews, but unlike Muirfield and Royal Dornoch, getting a tee time at the Home of Golf requires a slightly different approach. Your best chance of securing an advance reservation for the Old Course is by submitting an application through the St Andrews Links Trust annual advance reservation process, which typically opens at the beginning of September for the following year. At least two golfers are required in each group, with a maximum of eight. You don’t necessarily need to secure a confirmed Old Course tee time 12–18 months in advance, as golfers who miss out on an advance reservation can still enter the highly competitive 48-hour ballot or explore other last-minute availability. If you want to save yourself the stress of applying for a tee time at the Home of Golf, there are also a number of authorised providers – including golf tour operators and local accommodation providers – offering packages throughout the high season that include guaranteed Old Course tee times. 9–12 months Kingsbarns Golf Links Situated just six miles from St Andrews, Kingsbarns Golf Links is one of Scotland's most celebrated modern links. Designed by Kyle Phillips, the course makes the most of its spectacular coastal setting, with the North Sea visible from almost every hole. Kingsbarns' reputation has continued to grow since opening, with the course now co-hosting the annual Alfred Dunhill Links Championship alongside the Old Course at St Andrews and Carnoustie. Its popularity, however, means golfers planning to play during the peak summer months should think about their tee time well in advance. Advance booking is highly recommended by the club to guarantee your place. While Kingsbarns does offer a last-minute online booking service, tee times are only released a maximum of three days in advance and are available at the full rack rate. Nine to 12 months out is a sensible target for Kingsbarns. Its proximity to St Andrews also makes it particularly important to book early if you're hoping to combine the two in the same trip. Carnoustie Golf Links – Championship Course One of the most famous and challenging links courses in the world, Carnoustie's Championship Course is a key addition to any Scottish golf itinerary. Having hosted eight Open Championships, including Francesco Molinari's memorable victory in 2018, its reputation means tee times during the peak season are highly sought after. Unlike some of Scotland's most exclusive courses, Carnoustie offers visitors a number of ways to secure a tee time, with bookings available directly through the club. However, if you're planning to play during the busiest summer months, leaving your round until the final few weeks of your trip is a risk. For a peak-season trip, booking Carnoustie's Championship Course early is particularly important if you want a preferred morning tee time or are travelling as a larger group. Royal Troon Golf Club – Old A regular fixture on the Open Championship rota, Royal Troon's Old Course is another of Scotland's most sought-after links and a natural target for golfers planning a trip during the summer months. The course has hosted the Open nine times, most recently in 2024, and its reputation means popular tee times can be snapped up well in advance. Royal Troon offers more flexibility than some of Scotland's most difficult courses to access, with its visitor season running from mid-April to October. However, visitor tee times are limited to Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, making it worth securing your round well ahead of a peak-season trip. The club also opens its diary well ahead of the playing season. For a peak-season trip, securing your preferred date early is the safest approach, particularly given the limited days available to visitors. Turnberry – Ailsa One of Scotland's most recognisable links, the Ailsa Course at Turnberry combines a rich Open Championship history with one of the most dramatic coastal settings in the country. Perched on the Ayrshire coast with views across to the Isle of Arran, the course has hosted four Open Championships and remains a bucket-list round for many visiting golfers. Turnberry offers visitor tee times throughout the season, but demand for the Ailsa is high during the summer, particularly for the most desirable morning times. Booking Turnberry’s Ailsa Course early gives you the best chance of securing your preferred date and tee time rather than relying on availability closer to your trip. 6 months Once you've secured the headline rounds on your itinerary, six months out is a good time to start filling in the rest of your trip. The courses in this category are still highly regarded and can be extremely popular during the summer, but generally offer more flexibility than the likes of Muirfield, Royal Dornoch or the Old Course at St Andrews. For a trip during the peak months, courses such as Gullane No. 1, Dumbarnie Links, Crail, Elie, Prestwick, Western Gailes, Nairn, North Berwick and Dunbar, as well as the New, Jubilee and Castle Courses at St Andrews, are well worth targeting. These courses can form the backbone of a fantastic itinerary, particularly if you're looking to experience a mix of famous championship layouts and traditional Scottish links. Six months out is also when location should start influencing your planning, with courses viewed as part of a wider itinerary. A trip based around St Andrews, for example, gives you access to Crail, Elie, Dumbarnie and the three St Andrews Links courses, while an East Lothian trip opens up Gullane, North Berwick and Dunbar. Further west, Prestwick and Western Gailes can be combined with Royal Troon and other Ayrshire links. At six months, you should still have a good selection of tee times available, but peak-season mornings and the most desirable days can begin to disappear. If there's a particular course in this category that is a must-play, don't assume you'll be able to pick it up at the last minute. Six months is a good balance between having plenty of choice and not needing to plan your entire Scottish golf adventure a year or more in advance. 3 Months Three months out is where you can start to take a more flexible approach to your Scottish golf itinerary. By this stage, the headline rounds should ideally be secured, but there are still plenty of excellent options for filling out your itinerary closer to your trip. If you haven't planned anything yet, don't panic – Scotland is full of authentic, characterful golf courses that don't require a year of advance planning. Courses such as Leven Links, Lundin Links, The Glen, Dunbar, Panmure, Montrose, Ladybank, Machrihanish, Musselburgh and Gailes offer plenty of variety, from traditional links with centuries of history to lesser-known hidden gems that could provide some of the most enjoyable rounds of the trip. This is also the point where flexibility becomes your biggest advantage. If you're happy to play in the afternoon, move between days or travel a little further from your base, you'll generally have more options. It can also be worth checking courses regularly for cancellations, particularly if there's a specific course you'd like to add to the itinerary. Don't mistake three months out for "leave everything until the last minute", though. Peak-season tee times at popular courses can still disappear, particularly for larger groups. If one of these courses is a must-play, book it once you've settled on your itinerary rather than assuming you'll find a tee time a few weeks before travelling. The good news is that you don't need to plan every round of a Scottish golf trip 18 months in advance. Identify the courses you simply can't miss and secure those first, before using the months that follow to build out the rest of your itinerary. With a little flexibility, even a trip planned just three months out can still feature some of Scotland's most authentic and enjoyable golf.
Few regions in golf can match the concentrated quality found within an easy drive of Inverness. The Highland capital sits at the centre of a circuit that takes in Royal Dornoch, Cabot Highlands, Nairn, Brora and a supporting cast of links courses that would be headline attractions almost anywhere else in the world. What makes the Inverness region genuinely special is the combination of world-class golf and genuine accessibility. Inverness Airport receives direct flights from London, Amsterdam and several European cities, and the city itself is a comfortable, well-served base with excellent hotels and restaurants. The courses here are open to visitors, the locals are welcoming, and the long summer days mean you can cram extraordinary value into every trip. The Highlands have a microclimate that surprises most first-time visitors. When the rest of Scotland is under cloud, the strip of coastline running from Inverness north to Dornoch and beyond often basks in sunshine. Golf writers speak of this phenomenon reverently, and it is real enough that locals regard it as one of the region’s open secrets. Inverness Golf: Why It Should Be on Your List The case for an Inverness golf holiday builds quickly once you start looking at the map. The density of Top 100-ranked courses within striking distance of the city is genuinely remarkable, and visitor access is far more straightforward than the coastal resorts of East Lothian or the Ayrshire coast. Royal Dornoch consistently ranks among the top ten courses in the world, yet green fees remain considerably lower than comparable links on the Open rota Cabot Highlands (formerly Castle Stuart) now operates two 18-hole links courses following the 2025/26 opening of Tom Doak’s Old Petty, creating one of Scotland’s most exciting 36-hole venues Nairn and Brora offer championship-quality links with a fraction of the waiting times and booking anxiety of more famous venues A James Braid trail threads through the Highlands, connecting courses designed or remodelled by the five-times Open champion at Brora, Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Inverness and beyond Summer golf until 10.30 pm in June and July, with twilight tee times available at Royal Dornoch and Cabot Highlands for those who want to maximise every long daylight hour ⛳ The Highland Region’s Finest Golf Courses The stretch of coastline north and east of Inverness contains more world-ranked links than almost any comparable area in golf. These are courses that have shaped the game’s history and continue to set the standard for what links golf at its purest can be. Royal Dornoch Championship Course The Royal Dornoch Championship Course sits 45 miles north of Inverness and consistently appears in the world’s top ten courses. Golf has been played on this stretch of natural linksland since 1616, and Old Tom Morris shaped the formal layout when he visited in 1886, creating the famous plateau greens that have puzzled and delighted golfers ever since. Tom Watson, an honorary member, described it as the most fun he had ever had playing golf. Andrew Carnegie, who lived in Dornoch, called the town “heaven on earth.” The first eight holes follow the ridge of dunes at the upper inland perimeter before the course turns back towards the sea; the two par threes at the 2nd and 6th are devilishly difficult and define how the round will go. Cabot Highlands (Castle Stuart & Old Petty) Cabot Highlands Castle Stuart sits on the southern shores of the Moray Firth, a ten-minute drive from Inverness city centre. When American developer Mark Parsinen and architect Gil Hanse opened Castle Stuart in 2009, it immediately took its place among Scotland’s modern classics. Four Scottish Open appearances between 2011 and 2016 confirmed the course’s championship credentials, with Luke Donald, Phil Mickelson and Alexander Norén among the winners. Unlike traditional links courses that sit flat against the sea, Castle Stuart rises dramatically above the Firth, delivering panoramic views of the Black Isle and the Highland mountains from every hole. Old Petty, which takes its name from a 400-year-old castle on the grounds, opened for play in 2025/26 and meanders along the Moray Firth shoreline and through hillsides on a very different piece of ground to Castle Stuart. Cabot Highlands now stands as one of Scotland’s most compelling 36-hole destinations. On-site accommodation and stay-and-play packages are available directly through Cabot Highlands. Nairn Golf Club Nairn sits 15 miles east of Inverness along the Moray Firth coast and delivers the full experience of traditional Scottish links golf. The championship course is a classic out-and-back layout with the sea visible on every hole, and recent improvements by architect Tom Mackenzie have significantly enhanced the test without compromising the course’s inherent character. The fairways run fast in summer, the greens become famously true and quick, and the coastal breeze adds an exhilarating layer of difficulty. Nairn has hosted the Amateur Championship and the Walker Cup, underscoring its standing as a serious test of golf. Brora Golf Club Brora Golf Club lies 25 miles north of Dornoch along the A9, and for many seasoned golfers it represents the Highland visit that stays with them longest. The late Peter Thomson, five-times Open champion, named Brora his favourite course in the world. James Braid redesigned it in 1923, and virtually nothing has changed since, making it one of the most authentic and undisturbed links experiences in Scotland. The opening nine holes run very close to the North Sea with no dunes to obscure the view – when the wind arrives off the water, golfers earn their scorecard. 💎 Hidden Gems Worth the Journey The courses described above would anchor any great golf trip, but the Inverness region has a supporting cast that most visitors never discover. These are courses where the welcome is warm, the pace of play refreshing, and the scenery no less spectacular. Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club Twenty minutes north of Inverness on the Black Isle, Fortrose & Rosemarkie occupies an extraordinary narrow peninsula almost entirely encircled by the Moray Firth. The club was founded in 1793, making it the 15th oldest in the world, and James Braid redesigned the course in 1932. Eight of the first holes play with the sea no more than a few paces away, and the resident pod of bottlenose dolphins is often visible feeding just off the fairways. This is not a long course at approximately 6,000 yards, but the gorse-framed fairways, small undulating greens and crosswinds sweeping across the peninsula demand precision. Tain Golf Club Forty minutes north of Inverness along the Dornoch Firth, Tain Golf Club is another Old Tom Morris layout, originally designed in 1890 as St Duthus Golf Club. The course has been compared to Carnoustie for its combination of bumpy fairways, penal pot bunkers and genuine links challenge, but it sits in a beautifully sheltered position that allows year-round play when coastal courses to the north are battling the elements. Recent gorse removal has opened up the routing and improved the flow significantly. Tain is often combined with Brora and Golspie. Nairn Dunbar Golf Club The second links course in Nairn offers championship-quality golf at a considerably lower price point than its more famous neighbour. Nairn Dunbar opened in 1899 along the Moray Firth coast. The raw beauty of the linksmmakes every round a genuine test. A partnership ticket playing one round each at Nairn and Nairn Dunbar represents one of the best value propositions in Highland golf. ✈️ Getting There and Getting About Getting to Inverness Inverness Airport (INV) serves the region with direct flights from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and Bristol, plus Amsterdam, Dublin and several other European cities. The city is also reachable by train from Edinburgh (approximately 3.5 hours) and Glasgow (approximately 3 hours), making Inverness well-connected for those who prefer not to fly. International visitors connecting through Edinburgh or Glasgow can hire a car and drive north in three to four hours, a journey that passes through some of Scotland’s most dramatic scenery. Getting Around A hire car is the practical choice for a golf trip based in Inverness. All the major courses are between 20 minutes and 90 minutes from the city, and public transport connections to courses in Brora, Dornoch or Fortrose are limited for golfers carrying clubs. Hire cars are available from Inverness Airport from all major companies; book well in advance for peak summer weeks. Distances are not enormous by Scottish standards: Royal Dornoch is approximately 65km (40 miles) north, Brora approximately 95km (60 miles) north, and Nairn approximately 25km (16 miles) east. Weather and Packing The Highland microclimate around Inverness and the Moray Firth is genuinely more benign than Scotland’s reputation suggests. Summer temperatures typically range from 15°C–20°C (59°F–68°F) with long dry spells possible. Rain can arrive without warning at any time of year. 🏨 Where to Stay for an Inverness Golf Holiday Inverness city centre offers the most practical base for a multi-course Highland golf trip. The cluster of quality hotels within a mile of each other allows golfers to walk between restaurants, bars and the city’s compact centre, whilst being well placed for the road north and east to the main courses. Golf Resort Options Cabot Highlands operates on-site accommodation directly on the Castle Stuart estate, placing guests within walking distance of two championship links courses. This suits golfers who want to immerse themselves entirely in the Cabot experience over two or three days. Links House at Royal Dornoch in Dornoch itself is the premium option for those committed to Dornoch as a base; the property is small, exclusive and puts guests a short walk from the first tee of one of the world’s finest courses. Guesthouses and B&Bs Inverness has a strong tradition of quality B&Bs and guesthouses, particularly on the streets running south from the city centre towards the golf club. These offer better value than the main hotels, often with the warm Highland hospitality that creates the best travel memories. 🏞️ Explore Beyond the Fairways Inverness and the surrounding Highlands offer non-golfing companions an itinerary every bit as compelling as the courses. Loch Ness begins a 20-minute drive south of the city and remains one of the world’s most captivating landscapes regardless of any mythological considerations. Urquhart Castle, on the loch’s western bank, is among Scotland’s most photographed ruins. Culloden Battlefield, six miles east of Inverness, is one of the most affecting historical sites in Britain – the 1746 battle that ended the Jacobite rising is told with exceptional clarity at the modern visitor centre. Fort George, 11 miles northeast of Inverness on the Moray Firth coast, is one of the finest and most complete 18th-century military fortifications in Europe and conveniently sits near Fortrose & Rosemarkie for a combined day out. Chanonry Point, just past the golf course, is one of Scotland’s most reliable places to spot bottlenose dolphins from dry land, particularly around incoming tides. The North Coast 500, Scotland’s celebrated scenic driving route, passes through Inverness and provides context for the spectacular landscapes that surround every golf course in the region. Distillery tours give the Inverness trip an additional dimension. The Tomatin Distillery is 15 miles south on the A9, while the Speyside region to the south and east contains dozens of distilleries on the Malt Whisky Trail. Afternoon fishing on the River Ness, guided wildlife tours of the Cairngorms and sea kayaking on the Moray Firth round out the activity options for those with days between courses. 💡 Insider Knowledge for Highland Golf Book Royal Dornoch first, then plan everything else around it. Peak summer tee times disappear months in advance; securing Dornoch should be the first act of trip planning Embrace the twilight. In June and July, 6 pm tee times at Royal Dornoch and Cabot Highlands are not a compromise; they are an experience. Finishing at 10 pm with the Firth still lit is something that stays with golfers for years. Don’t skip Brora. At approximately £95 it is the best value round in Scottish links golf. Build the trip around it, not around saving an hour on the road Check the weather by course, not by city. The Highland microclimate means Dornoch can be sunny when Inverness is overcast, and Brora can be blowing a gale while Nairn plays in calm. Build in some scheduling flexibility. Drive north, not south. Most visitors use Inverness as a gateway south to the Cairngorms, but the driving north along the A9 to Dornoch and Brora is among the finest road journeys in Scotland. Shoulder Season Value September and October represent the best combination of quality golf, manageable green fees and reduced booking pressure. Those who know go in the autumn and are rewarded. 🏴 The Highland Golf Trip, Planned An Inverness golf holiday rewards both the serious golf traveller and the first-time visitor to Scotland with equal generosity. The combination of Royal Dornoch’s historic perfection, Cabot Highlands’ cinematic drama, Nairn’s classic links discipline and Brora’s authentic wildness creates a trip that covers the full range of what Scottish golf can be. The supporting cast of Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Tain, and Nairn Dunbar means no two Highland golf trips need to be identical. The city of Inverness provides a genuinely comfortable and well-served base throughout. Its restaurants, hotels and direct flight connections remove the logistical complications that can make Scottish Highland golf feel like an expedition. Book early, pack properly, embrace the microclimate and discover why golfers who make the journey north from Inverness Airport tend to plan their return before they have reached the car park.
Review of the Month October 2017 - Royal Dornoch (Championship) Royal Dornoch is clearly considered a very good golf course, but does it deserve the reverence it receives? Well, I was looking forward to forming an opinion. Shortly after arrival I noticed a paradox between what is a fairly "normal" club golf set-up and the coaches full of golfing tourists arriving to play it. Facilities are basic but adequate, whereas the pro/gift shop is fairly comprehensively stocked. On to the first hole: Nothing special but very useful as a good getaway hole. The second hole: Again, nothing breathtaking, but an interesting raised green with trouble on (I think it was) three sides. An early taste of things to come I assumed. Then it all becomes a bit clearer from the third tee as the course then opens up before you. That was more like it. Holes 3-6 were great and our group enjoyed both the views on offer and the shots into and around the greens. Think hole seven was a bit ordinary before reaching the turn with the dogleg left Par 4 eighth. The anticipation as you walk to the precipice to see where your ball has ended up was great. Highlights for me on the back 9 were driving onto the beach at 11 (always satisfying to have a beach in play), and then 14 & 15 (I think), with the former being really difficult to hit the striking raised green in two with our relatively high handicaps and the latter a short par 4 where you have a decision to make with regards to the central dune that guards/obscures the green. The pace of play was pretty good - 3 hrs 45 minutes for our 4 ball (with every hole loaded with 4 balls who presumably didn't know the course that well). Castle Stuart was a good 30-40 minutes longer the previous day. As we walked off of the 18th green and started unloading our gear, the group behind us holed out shortly after and then almost immediately jumped into two helicopters that had landed adjacent to the green. Possibly one of the oddest things I've seen on a golf course and not sure how normal this was, but another reminder of the contrast on offer at Dornoch. Real or imagined, it does make me feel there is a tangible "Disneyfication" to go with the “Deification” of Royal Dornoch. This took a little of the shine off the experience for me, but sure this places me in a minority. For better or worse, it's always difficult to distil the golf course essence and de-couple it from the total experience when offering up an opinion. On the course itself: I'd say it is worth 5.5 balls. And on the assumption that it has been rounded up on occasion to a 6 ball, I'll round my review down to a 5 ball. Royal Dornoch apparently only has a handful of superior courses in the world, and despite not playing that many top tracks, I do find that at least mildly surprising. Will have to defer to those with more experience. Having said this, I did really enjoy the course - and it did more than enough to ensure I look forward to returning to see if I have undervalued it. By BB Review of the Month October 2017 selected by Editor-in-Chief, Keith Baxter – click to read more about Royal Dornoch (Championship).
The latest ranking of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World serves as the ultimate global golf bucket list. Most members of our World Top 100 Panel are seasoned golfers, each playing 20-30 of these courses annually while travelling extensively over decades to form their opinions on others. We recognise that opinions vary—even among our panel members. Rankings are subjective, and there are undoubtedly 50 or more courses in the UK and USA alone that could easily fit onto this list. Links Golf Pilgrimages The rankings
Pennsylvania, United States
Hyogo, Japan
Scotland, United Kingdom
Georgia, United States
Victoria, Australia
