Golf Road,
Dornoch, Sutherland IV25 3LW
Office
+44(0)1862 810 219Pro shop
+44 (0)1862 810 902Fax
+44 (0)1862 810 792Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Andrew Skinner (PGA, Head Professional).Academy
The Links Academy at Royal DornochThe Course:
18 holes. Seaside links / heathland. Relatively flat terrain - easy to walk.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland and heathland.
Designer:
Originally laid out as Dornoch's 12-hole Ladies course (1899); later replaced by a new design (1923). Expanded to 18 holes by Donald Steel and Robin Hiseman (1999). Parts of the Struie will be revised again with the advent of the new clubhouse in 2025.
Above distances are for the Struie course. Also at Royal Dornoch is the 18-hole Championship course (par-70, 6,723 yds from back tees).
57.874549
-4.025569
o.2 mi E of Dornoch centre / 45 mi N of Inverness.
From the A9, 3 mi north of Dornoch Firth Bridge, turn right onto the A949 direction Dornoch. After 1.9 mi turn right direction Beach/Hotel. After 200 yds turn left into Golf Rd. After 300 yds golf car park is on your left.
Royal Dornoch (Struie)
Royal Dornoch Golf Club (Struie course): starting life in 1899 as Dornoch's Ladies course, and now locally referred to as the "Lower course", the Struie has typically lain in the shadows of Dornoch's world-class Championship course. With three holes (14, 15 and 16) that were originally part of the Championship course, the Struie heads out-and-back, revealing both a linksy and heathland persona.
Relatively flat throughout, the opening and closing holes occupy an open linksy environment. This changes to something more heathland in feel for the second half of the front-nine, where the good-width fairways and second-cut are flanked by heather, gorse bushes and/or pine trees ... all to be avoided if possible. The holes around the turn mix links and heathland, while also getting you closest to the marshland that slides into the Dornoch Firth. Here the course is at its most natural and scenic.
Excellently maintained to the standard of the Championship course, here you may feel the fairways are a tad tighter, not least those lined by the heather and gorse. The greens will thoroughly test your putting skills. They're less undulating than on Dornoch's No.1 course, but with plenty of subtle breaks and borrows, you'll still be left guessing as the ball slides by.
[Following the opening of the club's huge new clubhouse in 2025, Royal Dornoch's masterplan envisages the whole of the Struie being played on the south side of Beach Road. This would eliminate the current opening two holes and the 18th, all of which are par-3s].
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance.
Contact club for full details, discounts, day & combination tickets, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2024].
Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire on medical grounds. Caddies available (if pre-booked).
Limited
Royal Dornoch's Struie Course takes its name from Struie Hill, a craggy hill topped by a radio transmitter that sits at the edge of Scotland's Northwest Highlands. The hill can be seen from many vantage points on the Dornoch Firth.
The original Royal Dornoch emblem of 1877 featured a Scottish wildcat ... similar to the family crest of the Earls of Sutherland. At some time, the cat acquired a horseshoe, which references the Battle of Embo, fought in the 1260s (Embo is a village just north of Dornoch). During the battle, Earl William of Sutherland reputedly slew the invading Danish leader with the leg of a horse, which accounts for the horseshoe on Dornoch’s present emblem.
The First Tee, Dornoch, Sutherland IV25 3LG
+44 (0)1463 796 111
Visit websiteThe Royal Golf Hotel is situated right on the first tee of the world renowned Royal Dornoch Golf Club. From April 2010 the hotel will offer 22 four-star bedrooms, cosy log fires, a golfers’ bar, plus informal wining and dining in the conservatory overlooking the first tee.
Royal Dornoch (Championship and Struie courses).
No
Golspie; Brora; Tain; Skibo Castle
Castle Street, Dornoch, Sutherland IV25 3SD
+44 (0)1862 810 216
Visit websiteSteeped in Scottish history and fascinating legends, the 15th century Dornoch Castle Hotel firmly stands its ground opposite the inspiring 12th century Dornoch Cathedral. Set in private and beautifully manicured gardens.
No
Royal Dornoch (Championship and Struie courses).
Golspie; Brora; Tain; Skibo Castle (private).
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Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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