Royal Dornoch Brochure by Royal Dornoch

GOLF SINCE 1616

Scotland is the home of golf and Royal Dornoch is set in the Highlands of

From the moment you contact us till we say

Scotland, an area of unrivalled beauty. Against this backdrop, Dornoch hugs

“haste ye back” at the end of your visit, you

the coast and the setting of the courses is wild, isolated and absolutely

will be our personal guest and it will be our

beautiful. The pure white sandy beach divides our links courses from the

pleasure to ensure you have an unrivalled

Dornoch Firth; a spellbinding sight to behold and be part of.

‘Royal Dornoch Experience’

Nearly 400 years ago people started playing golf on these links. The Club, formed in 1877, was granted Royal Status in 1906 and a Royal title means exceptional standards and expectations. Not surprisingly golfers from all over the world make the pilgrimage to this natural links at some point in their lives and we would like to invite you to become part of this heritage.

A warm

Welcome awaits It’s wild, isolated and at th e sam e tim e absolutely beautiful; th ere’s th e blaze of colours in early summ er wh en th e wh in is in flower; th e pure wh ite sandy beach divides th e links from th e Dornoch Firth and it all feels very humbling.

Image on front page: Royal Dornoch Championship Course, 16th Hole

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The spectacular panoramic views of the Dornoch Firth and the Sutherland and

The par of 70 is evenly distributed over the

Ross-shire hills provide the backdrop for Royal Dornoch’s location.

two halves, each having two par threes, a par five and six par fours. If the wind blows, the

The curving bay of the Dornoch Firth and its magnificent white broad beaches,

course will demand more from the player

are backed by a narrow strip of softly contoured dune land rising in two

especially the finishing hole where a par can be

distinctive levels, providing just enough room for parallel fairways. The ridges,

considered as good as a birdie.

hillocks, dunes and undulating links land have all the characteristics of the best of links courses, and most of the difficulties.

The first eight holes follow the ridge and the remaining ten holes, played in the opposite

Old Tom Morris was the architect responsible for extending the original 9 holes

direction, are bounded on the left by the sandy

layout to 18 holes in 1886. He introduced the plateau greens which are the soul of

beaches of the firth, with the exception of the

the course, their uniqueness lying in their size and their inverted saucer shapes.

17th and 18th.

Royal Dornoch

Championship Course

In th e early 20th Century, a number of Scottish golfers emigrated to th e United States of Am erica to becom e professionals at th e many clubs that were appearing th ere. Among th ese were several from Dornoch.

Royal Dornoch Championship course is as wild and natural a links as you can play. Every hole is unique, every tee shot a decision contributing to a true links experience on the 6700-yard 18-hole par 70 links course. On the first tee you realise something magical awaits you. The course is a classic out and back links following an “S” shape, letting you see the hazards that lie before you, with the tantalizing flags of the holes flapping in the breeze. Painstaking design and care is placed on maintaining the course ensuring the rolling fairways lead on to undulating plateau or inverted saucer greens. The Championship course takes full advantage of the gorse covered hillside and white sands of the Dornoch Firth, testing the best of golfers, with every round offering a challenge. You might need to play it twice, 4 hours is not enough to fully enjoy the golf and the views.

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The present layout of the Struie Course has evolved over many decades from

Through the 1990s nearly a full century from

the original course laid out in 1899 probably by the then Secretary of the

when the course was originally laid out, course

Club John Sutherland. The course was extended from 12 holes to a full 18 holes

architect Donald Steel’s suggestions for the

in 1906.

construction of new holes on the Struie were accepted and implemented. In 2003 five new

During the years of the Great War a reduction in greenstaff, down to one

holes were brought into play, the new holes

greenkeeper, resulted in the course being turned over to pasture for grazing

being designed by Robert Hiesman and

animals. In 1923 the course was lengthened and play resumed over the lower

constructed on land West of the town along

links until in 1939 when the Government compulsorily acquired the links and

the shores of the Dornoch Firth.

constructed two runways for the RAF. After the War, a course was laid out reclaiming several of the holes which had survived resulting in a nine hole course.

Royal Dornoch

Struie

Course

Royal Dornoch Struie interprets th e incredible natural landscape that defines golf in Dornoch and th e tranquillity of th is u nspoilt scenery.

Royal Dornoch Struie Course is a beautiful course which incorporates the existing landscape, creating a truly natural golfing experience. The first hole is one of the most pleasurable tee shots on the course, playing out towards Struie and the hills in the far distance. Royal Dornoch Struie lets you work on all your golf shots, with contrasting holes, the presence of mounds and undulations on several of the fairways, the natural snaking of the Struie Burn as it winds its way across the course and the unusual presence of trees offering opportunities of challenge and shots of sheer delight. The same care and attention to detail, as the Championship course, is taken on meticulously maintaining and ensuring that all the greens remain in prime condition, all the bunkers are welldefined and the rough is all that you expect from a Scottish links.

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Before and after a round, what better way to be part of our 400 hundred year tradition than to join members and guests in our restaurant with stunning views across the first tee to the firth and beyond. Whatever your needs – light snacks or fine dining, it is our pleasure to serve you and what better way to share your golfing stories!

Inspired by the local produce our Award Winning Executive Chef and his team create food which is full of imagination and flavour.

Our menu is freshly prepared in house and we provide all day dining; from that bacon roll that sets you up for the first tee shot to the Loin of Venison with Brandied Cherries, Walnuts & Thyme which rounds off a perfect day (and can of course be accompanied by fine wines and malt whiskies).

Dining Here in th e High lands we are fortu nate in that our local produce is top quality, is much sough t after and exported arou nd th e world. Th e vast majority of our dish es are locally sourced and all our m enu items are fresh ly prepared.

A sample from our Evening Menu

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You start your visit to Royal Dornoch with a warm welcome in the Pro Shop, a

As well as a large selection of equipment, it is

true mixture of traditional and modern, where you can talk to staff about the

the only place you can purchase exclusive Royal

course, the weather or your round and look at the range of merchandise which

Dornoch branded goods, allowing you to take

might just shave off that extra shot.

home that souvenir which shows you have become part of the Royal Dornoch tradition.

Our Head PGA Professional Andrew Skinner, followed his father Willie into the business and is only the 9th professional since our first in 1893. Should you feel the need to brush up on your technique, Andrew or his assistant Gary, will be happy to give you a lesson which is guaranteed (almost!) to make your next game on the links your best ever.

The

Pro Shop As you would expect, th e Pro Sh op at Royal Dornoch is a hu b of activity with golfers and sh oppers all year long. Our Head PGA Professional since 1998, Andrew Skinner, is following in th e family business as h is fath er Willie was in charge for 25 years.

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Golf and Dornoch is a long term love affair that continues to thrive. As part of

Back at the Clubhouse an opportunity to

the town’s heritage and culture, Royal Dornoch Golf Club is as important

change, make use of our drying room and a

today as ever. The Club House is often host to community events and welcomes

warming drink in the bar, where enjoying the

golfing guests to enjoy the full facilities when they come to play.

panoramic views over the course, will make your visit even more memorable.

Our stunning Halfway House is situated behind the ninth green, with views of

Visiting Royal Dornoch is not about a round of

the Royal Dornoch Championship Course and the Dornoch Firth; it provides an

golf but, just having an opportunity to enjoy

opportunity to value the setting and the natural beauty of the traditional links

all that the Club has to offer as well as taking

course. A welcome stop along your round, it is an ideal place to take a breather

time to wander round our historic town.

to appreciate your first 9 holes and take a moment to gather yourself for the challenge of the back 9.

Club

Facilities Royal Dornoch is more than two golf courses. It is th e people, th e place and th e venu e wh ich we lo ve to share with everyone. We take great pleasure in looking after our gu ests.

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Our friendly staff are committed to providing guests with a genuine Royal Dornoch Experience. It is our pleasure to work at Royal Dornoch, a unique Club in a spectacular setting. We want our guests to feel that they are part of this, whether it is for one day or as a returning visitor it will be our privilege to serve you.

From initial enquiry, the first round of golf, through welcoming you back year after year, we love sharing our enthusiasm for the Club, the area, the sport and your game. We work hard at making your visit as warm and as welcoming as possible, even if it is blowing a gale on the course! We aim to provide exceptional customer service, across every part of the Club, because we are truly delighted to have you visit.

Our

Staff All our team are enthusiastic about golf and truly lo ve Royal Dornoch. Th ey look forward to welcoming you and sharing th eir passion.

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