The Royal Dornoch Golf Club has risen rapidly in the world rankings over the past fifteen years and for an excellent reason. Despite its remote location, it is one of the actual golfing pilgrimages left in modern golf, and one that is definitely worth making. Formed in 1877 by Alexander McHardy and Hugh Gunn, the 9-hole Dornoch was a basic layout. It wasn’t until 1886 when the eminent Old Tom Morris was invited to the town to survey the land that an 18-hole course was laid out, and by 1906, Royal patronage had been bestowed on Dornoch by King Edward VII. The Second World War saw part of the course being lost to the requirements of the Royal Air Force, affecting the entire Ladies course and four holes of the championship links, but these were re-instated by 1941 under the hands of George Duncan. He had introduced a rudimentary 9-hole course that was known as the ‘Struie’ which latterly was developed into the 2nd eighteen.
Donald Ross was five years old when Royal Dornoch was formed in 1877. It was his home, where he was educated and as a young man, became ‘Keeper of the Greens’, and the first professional of the club. He trained as a club maker under Old Tom Morris in Carnoustie before heading back to Dornoch in 1893. He remained for seven years before leaving for America, famously having a hand in designing Pinehurst No.2, Oakland Hills and Seminole.
Royal Dornoch sweeps its way around the Dornoch Firth on two very distinct levels. The first eight holes play out along the ridge, traditionally with the wind, and the remainder is played back towards home, excluding the 17th and 18th, adjacent to the bubbling sea, and usually, into the wind. The handprint of Old Tom Morris is all over the golf course, in particular, the greens. His work in 1886, much of which remains today, introduced large plateau greens for which the course is famous; devilish upturned saucers that require high concentration. These crowned putting surfaces are also what made Donald Ross famous in many of his US designs, especially at Pinehurst. It is the greens that make the Royal Dornoch experience. The usual course set-up won’t penalize the mid-handicapper, but it is the placement of bunkers and degree of run-off around the putting surfaces that challenges.
In terms of holes, Royal Dornoch has arguably the best collection of Par three holes in the UK & Ireland. Starting with a fabulous test at the 2nd hole, this 184yard hole is a supreme test of accuracy and skill. As mentioned, the prevailing wind blows straight down this hole, adding to the difficulty of holding the ball on the putting surface which is well protected by two deep pot bunkers, one left, one right, out of bounds left, and a sea of gorse to the right of the green and long. This is further complicated by the addition of one of the most severe upturned saucer greens on the course, which is also slightly elevated. A classic links hole and a fabulous test of golf.
Royal Dornoch is not a course to be missed, and worth every ounce of the effort of that pilgrimage when on a golf trip to the Highlands.
