Reviews for the Championship course are listed on this page
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Royal Dornoch and I met in May of 2000. It's reputation as a world class golf course preceded my visit. My caddy that day was Mr. Andrew Macleod, a proud, knowledgeable Scotsman, a finer gentleman I have yet to meet! We played in cool temperatures, light breezes and overcast skies. The Gorse was in full bloom; a stunning scene greeted us at each turn. My score of 87 was acceptable, although several three putt greens still stick in my craw !
After golf, we shared a good Single Malt Scotch in the clubhouse reliving our wonderful day. My recommendation.... put Royal Dornoch on your 'must play' list. A truly remarkable golfing experience. I can't wait to come back!!
E. Paul Lian Scottsdale, AZ USA (Epaullian@aol.com) 05/01
Having to play the Championship course in howling winds, without a caddy and with rental clubs is indeed a daunting experience. Fortunately I played with a member who ably directed me away from trouble, though not the errant shot. Course conditions were exceptional and play was speedy, even by Scottish standards. (2 3/4 hours) Because of the wind, the par 3 2nd hole was unreachable with an iron though the green looked to be within 'spittin' distance. But the two par 5's were reached with 8 irons! Thank God the wind didn't shift! This was my first go at true links golf and it is an experience that I will cherish forever.
Dale McDonald (mcdougle@optonline.net) 10/00
Have been lucky enough to play Dornoch 6 times the last in September of 1998 and I will go back again. One of the finest courses anywhere in the world. Outside of June and July hardly anyone there. This is one of the few courses where you find 18 excellent holes. Recommend a caddie the first time you play it but after that the yardage book will get you around without a problem. Wide fairways but the greens can drive you nuts. If you have played Pinehurst #2 after the remodel to the old green designs you will understand what Donald Ross grew up with. Recommend the Dornoch Castle Hotel-just a 5 minute walk to the course.
C_Cook (c_cook@cook-hall.com ) 4/99
Royal Dornoch is both a wonderful golf course and a wonderful place for a golf course. Only played it once on my Dad's 75th birthday. It was a glorious day. Probably got my favorite compliment of my golfing career. I hit a straight drive a reasonable distance on the short first hole. The starter who had been standing beside us said, 'Nice ball, lad.' You certainly see how Donald Ross and hence American golf course architecture was influenced by Dornoch. It's worth the trip for the golf and the lovely village. If I ever get back, I'd like to try Brora and Golspie nearby as well.
Peter Imber (imberp@earthlink.net) 11/98
Royal Dornoch, though routinely ranked about 11 or 12th in the world, deserves to be considered as good as any ranked before it! I have been a member there for 5 years now and I spend about 2-3 weeks a year there. If I didn't have to work I would move there tomorrow! Dornoch calls for every shot in the bag, and unlike most Scottich links courses, it is extremely fair. There are only 2 or 3 blind shots, depending on how well you hit your drives on 8,16, and 17. The course starts out easy enough, but you'd better fasten your seatbelts for the next 17 holes! I work on the PGA Tour every week and I can't think of a course anywhere in the U.S., other than maybe Pine Valley, that has such an incredible stretch of golf! Tom Watson was once asked, 'what do you think the toughest shot at Dornoch is'. His reply was, 'The second to the second'. Well, the second hole is a par 3! And in my opinion, it is among the toughest par 3's in the world. And the greens here are second to only Augusta in their deceptive and subtle breaks. All in all, if you go to Scotland and don't make the trip to Dornoch, you will regret it the rest of your golfing days!!! P.S. Just don't go there from July 10- Aug.7. That's when I go, and I don't want all you tourist invading my slice of Heaven!
Steve Miley (Kjun33@aol.com)
This course was my first test of Scottish golf in the summer of '96. What a feeling to show up for a 5:30 PM tee time knowing it will still be daylight by the time you finish your round. Standing on the first tee, 20 MPH wind in your face, this truly is 'welcome to Scotland laddie. The starter gave me a few pointers which were welcomed however the most important one was to keep the ball low, the one shot I do not have in my bag. Despite the heavy winds, Royal Dornoch was an incredible pleasure to play. The subtlety of the land makes for an interesting round of golf. If you go, try staying at the Golf Hotel, you are literally 20 steps from the first tee.
David Barsalou (dbarsalou@royalusa.co)
I played Royal Dornoch in Oct. of '96, so I can't offer any updates yet, but I'll be back there in two weeks, and perhaps I can be more informative after that. I will say that Dornoch was a highlight of my golfing life, and it's a place I'll always cherish. I will particularly remember the 10th hole, a short par three. I played it with an autumn gale in my face, hit a five-wood right on the screws, and came up ten yards shy of the green! The town is a delight, the Mallin House has a seafood item called Creel Broth that approaches ambrosia, and it's for good reason tat I've used my e-mail address to anoint myself a 'dornocher'.
David Graham (dornocher@webtv.ne) 08/98
A simple and pure test of golf, this course will not blow you away in its beauty, but when you are done, you will be fully satisfied that's you've just played an outstanding golf course. The natural setting and conditions make this course a worthy opponent for anyone. The rough was moderate by Scottish standards, and all the rain is helping keep the course rather green for this time of year. Trust your caddy out here; there are some deceptive holes that could put you into some real trouble without guidance. An all around great golf experience.
Evan W. Fleisher( efleisher@yahoo.co) 08/98
Played this gem on 7/28/98...the view from the third tee is one that will bring a smile to any golfers face...opportunity and danger go hand in hand on every shot...play Wee Struie(5438 yds.) in the morning and then have a go at Championship Course...as fine a golf course as most of us will ever play (and I have played Pine Valley). Watch out for Whinny Brae...
Bill McKissock ( bmck@exit109.com) 08/98
