A battle on the Dornoch Links...

[another3putt]

I was recently lucky enough to be friends with a pair of golfers who had managed to get their hands on a 4-ball voucher at Royal Dornoch Golf Club.

 

I obviously jumped at the opportunity to play this fantastically world renowned links course when they offered me a round!

 

Currently I'm playing off a handicap of 7, and last year, decided to create a 'bucket list' of courses I hope to play over the course of my golfing 'career'.

 

I've so far been fortunate enough to play the Championship course at Gleneagles, (where I have since thoroughly enjoyed watching some pro's, at the Ryder Cup and Johnny Walker, struggle at holes I somehow managed to par) and Trumps Championship Links course in Aberdeen (an excellent course and a must if in the area - currently my favourite course I've played!).

 

We strolled onto the first tee at Dornoch with next to no wind, something which is extraordinary according to the club professional, excited to take on the old links. Unfortunately my swing didn't get the memo, and I skittled a low thin 150yrds down the 1st fairway, much to the amusement of my mates. I did manage to get my act together after early scrambling and the highlight of my round was birdieing the par 5 9th!

 

To put it simply, Dornoch was fantastic. The course is excellently designed and represents a fair and exciting challenge at every single hole. There wasn't one hole which I thought was a 'filler', or one to just make up the 18. They were all superb, providing conservative as well as aggressive options, penalising you when you bit off more than you can chew, and rewarding thought out approaches.

 

I managed to get round the beautiful course in 12 over. I must stress this was mostly due to a red hot putter and the calm conditions that we enjoyed (t-shirts on the course in March in Scotland is a rare sight!).

 

For anyone looking to play the best links available, I can't recommend Dornoch enough, a fantastic challenge and stunning golf course that truly is a golfers dream!

 

:golfer:

[thecraw]

110% agree.

 

Wonderful golf course, tough but fair, pleasure to play and views to behold.

[2zlinks]

Agree. So glad we made the trip up while we were in Scottland. A weekend at Dornoch was truelly a pleasure.

[3_Jack_Par]

Royal Dornoch is my favorite course in the world. I also happened to play it on a calm day, and played it in 2 over, which is one of the golf highlights of my life.

 

I've often thought that Dornoch is the place I'd go if I decided to buck it all and move overseas.

[HoffTTM]

The best we have in this country this side of the Irish sea. I would have to see County Down before formalising that opinion.

[fhandley]

Love this review, I am currently planning my trip for May of next year. I have about 4 of us going to start up there hit Dornoch and Castle Stuart and head to St. Andrews for rest of the week.

[jay65]

I'm round at Machrihanish this Summer for a week. Haven't played either Course over there, so it's a bucket list fulfilling trip. I still have a few on the bucket list, like Askernish and The Machrie, but with Machrie still undergoing work, that will have to wait until next year now, but it'll be nice to cross off, Machrihanish and Machrihanish Dunes from the list in August.

[thecraw]

I'm round at Machrihanish this Summer for a week. Haven't played either Course over there, so it's a bucket list fulfilling trip. I still have a few on the bucket list, like Askernish and The Machrie, but with Machrie still undergoing work, that will have to wait until next year now, but it'll be nice to cross off, Machrihanish and Machrihanish Dunes from the list in August.

 

Drop me a message nearer the time and if I'm free I'll sign you on at Machrihanish Dunes.

 

C.

[jay65]

I'm round at Machrihanish this Summer for a week. Haven't played either Course over there, so it's a bucket list fulfilling trip. I still have a few on the bucket list, like Askernish and The Machrie, but with Machrie still undergoing work, that will have to wait until next year now, but it'll be nice to cross off, Machrihanish and Machrihanish Dunes from the list in August.

 

Drop me a message nearer the time and if I'm free I'll sign you on at Machrihanish Dunes.

 

C.

 

That's kind of you. Thanks. I already have 1 twilight round booked there, but I was thinking about getting in another round in that week too, as I already have 2 rounds booked for Machrihanish, so to get a second round in at Dunes would be excellent. As you say, I'll drop you a line nearer the time to organize. We're coming up there 4th-11th August.

[Gem]

Love this review, I am currently planning my trip for May of next year. I have about 4 of us going to start up there hit Dornoch and Castle Stuart and head to St. Andrews for rest of the week.

 

If you are playing in that area then Moray Old is well worth a visit, my favourite course in over 100 played. Nairn West is very good as well.

[thecraw]

I'm round at Machrihanish this Summer for a week. Haven't played either Course over there, so it's a bucket list fulfilling trip. I still have a few on the bucket list, like Askernish and The Machrie, but with Machrie still undergoing work, that will have to wait until next year now, but it'll be nice to cross off, Machrihanish and Machrihanish Dunes from the list in August.

 

Drop me a message nearer the time and if I'm free I'll sign you on at Machrihanish Dunes.

 

C.

 

That's kind of you. Thanks. I already have 1 twilight round booked there, but I was thinking about getting in another round in that week too, as I already have 2 rounds booked for Machrihanish, so to get a second round in at Dunes would be excellent. As you say, I'll drop you a line nearer the time to organize. We're coming up there 4th-11th August.

 

 

Also please make the effort to play Dunaverty. A wee gem in the area.

 

www.dunavertygolfclub.com

[jay65]

I'm round at Machrihanish this Summer for a week. Haven't played either Course over there, so it's a bucket list fulfilling trip. I still have a few on the bucket list, like Askernish and The Machrie, but with Machrie still undergoing work, that will have to wait until next year now, but it'll be nice to cross off, Machrihanish and Machrihanish Dunes from the list in August.

 

Drop me a message nearer the time and if I'm free I'll sign you on at Machrihanish Dunes.

 

C.

 

That's kind of you. Thanks. I already have 1 twilight round booked there, but I was thinking about getting in another round in that week too, as I already have 2 rounds booked for Machrihanish, so to get a second round in at Dunes would be excellent. As you say, I'll drop you a line nearer the time to organize. We're coming up there 4th-11th August.

 

 

Also please make the effort to play Dunaverty. A wee gem in the area.

 

www.dunavertygolfclub.com

 

I did think about it actually, but needed a push in the right direction. You've just given me the shove I probably needed! Lol.