I’ll refrain from posting a detailed hole-by-hole commentary of Royal Dornoch, as long-time club member Richard Goodale already provided such for GCA’s “In My Opinion” section (
http://golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/dornochgoodale) along with an outline of the course’s evolution (
http://golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/the-architectural-evolution-of-royal-dornoch-golf-club) and a gorgeous book that covers every square inch of the property along with the club’s venerable history (
http://golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/3324). Note: I plan to get paid for that plug, Rich.
But, generally speaking, I will say that Dornoch is at the pinnacle of links golf. The views are spectacular and each hole is memorable and challenging. What surprised me most was the lack of minimalism in some of the teeing grounds (mostly built up and/or benched into hill sides ) and green complexes, many of which appeared to have been built up significantly (2nd, 5th, 6th, 10th, 14th) by hand and shovel. Fortunately, the attention to detail during construction was superb. These complexes are all visually pleasing and remarkably well-scaled to harmonize with the surroundings and the shots needed to reach them. Most importantly, in addition to properly rewarding skillful approach shots, they provide compelling recovery shots of appropriately graded difficulty (repeat play teaches one where not to miss) and they contain subtle ripples to challenge the best putters without bludgeoning novices.
I was lucky enough to play the course twice with a knowledgeable host, and I firmly believe it was the best of the 2 dozen (mostly excellent) courses that I played during my stay in the U.K.
Here are some of the views I captured for posterity. Enjoy!
FYI: Here are the links to other pictorials from my trip:
Royal Dornoch
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40107.0/Brora
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40120.0/ Golspie
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40126.0/ The Castle Course
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40204.0/ Murcar
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40281.0/Crail: Craigshead & Balcombie
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40325.0/Lundin Links
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40387.0/Muirfield
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40439.0/Cruden Bay
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40565.0/Gleneagles - Kings Course
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40675.0/St. Andrews - Old Course
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40696.0/Gullane #1 & #2
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41085.0/Panmure
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41122.0/Gleneagles - Queens Course
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41152.0/Kingsbarns
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41184.0/Royal Aberdeen - Balgownie Links
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41498.0/Carnoustie – Championship Course
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41834.0/North Berwick - West Links
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,42104.0/*not featured: Nairn, Eden, New, Castle Stuart (tour)
Edit: The new GCA website seems to trim photos down rather autocratically. My apologies if you can't see everything I mention in my comments.
The regal clubhouse presiding over linkstopia.
The 1st tee. Thank god for the signage. Otherwise, golfers might forget where they are.
This side view of the 1st green tells a happy tale. Shadows clearly delineate the lovely fairway ripples that set courses like this apart from the pretenders. Bunkers are scattered appropriately to challenge careless approach shots
2nd green approach. Bunkers guard the left and right front. A large mound (that fails to register in this photo) plays havoc with running approaches.
The 3rd green, is quite expansive and feeds from left to right. This day’s pin location was in a subtle trough.
The 4th green as seen from left of fairway. More frequently, the fairway will feed one’s tee shot down to the right, suggesting a cut shot played at the left-front greenside bunkers. Anything right of the green will have to be pitched over a steep bank out of wild grasses to find the putting surface.
The 5th is short and downhill, but drives are not likely to hold the small, elevated green unless (by some small miracle) they run through one of the tiny gaps between front side green bunkers. This foreground bunker is one of several (not pictured) that capture over aggressive drives that drift too far right.
Looking back from long/left, it is clearly best to lay up short of the fairway bunkers or to miss just right of the green hole high.
This view depicts the 6th tee shot with 11th hole playing back to the club house on the right. Bunkers guard both sides of the 6th green, though those on the left are hard to see from here.
A closer view of 6th green shows how difficult a par will be without expert iron play. The trail behind the green leads up to the 7th.
From the 7th tee, a glance back reveals one of golf’s greatest panoramic views.
This view of the 7th approach, probably the least interesting hole on the course (but no slouch), displays the immaculate bunker construction and distant rainbows that Royal Dornoch furnishes with regularity.
The 8th hole brings golfers back down from the upper plateau, with drives passing over the edge and rolling down to the right side of the fairway below. A bunker seen short and right of the putting surface is out of play for well-struck approaches, but appears to be pressed right up against the green from where tee shots usually come to rest. The rainbow persists in the distance.
The 9th tee marks the start of one’s returning journey. It occupies the most secluded portion of the property and provides the greatest feeling of intimacy with the sea. While the hole reminds me a bit of the 13th at Pacific Dunes, running between massive dunes on the right and the beach on the left, though it plays as a par 5 and does not climb appreciably to the green. Drives that challenge the left side of the fairway are rewarded with flatter, more predictable lies.
The 9th green as viewed from the right/rear. One last look up the coast before turning the corner.
This view is from the left of the 11th green, which is very deep, but wrapped around a bunker that sits in the middle of its right side. The 6th green sits behind.
The 12th hole is a par 5 that can be reached in two when winds cooperate. The bunker in the foreground guards the lay-up zone. Though the green is quite large, it is well protected by a front right bunker, front left mounding, and long left hollow.
The 13th is virtually surrounded by bunkers, though those at the rear are not visible from the tee. A simple hole in calm conditions but a tough par in strong winds from any direction.
Foxy, the famous 14th hole is a masterful test. The diagonal carry rewards boldness as drives that bail out to the right will generally leave the green out of range and obscured by hillocks that protrude into the fairway at intervals. The left side of the fairway is also much flatter.
The left side of the green features a pronounce fall-away while the right side of the green (which extends well right of this frame) is hidden by mounds (just visible at right)
14th green
The 15th is a short par 4 with a large, grassy pile between the tee and green. This pile is easily cleared with favorable winds, leaving a short pitch. Into a strong headwind, play is more complicated. This view is from left of the 16th fairway, with the sea side 16th tee on the right of the 15th green (viewed from the right). Shadows provide another good taste of the heavenly fairway undulations that permeate the course.
The16th hole climbs steadily to a large, flattish green guarded by large knolls on the right, smaller knobs on the left and subtle crowning.
Breathtaking beach views are enjoyed from the bench that sits just left of the 16th green.
Much like at the 8th hole, the drive on the 17th tumbles down and to the right over a steep hillside, though one may elect to play a slightly longer shot from above. The penultimate green surrounds feed in hard from short left to long right. Recent gorse removal reveals a large heap of earth on the right. Long drivers can easily overshoot the fairway left of the heap.
This view from behind the 18th green hints at the lumpy swale that guards the front edge. The hole plays mostly uphill and doglegs right between gorse hedges before emerging on the large plateau of the clubhouse and 16th green.
While well-removed from many of Scotland’s biggest golf attractions, Royal Dornoch is worth the trek. Along with nearby classics such as Golspie, Brora and Tain, the imminent introduction of Castle Stuart Golf Links should raise Dornoch’s profile considerably, though perhaps regrettably to those that want keep these hallowed links for themselves.