Dundonald means “Fort Donald” in Gaelic, and as the name suggests this area has a rich history: ancient fortifications discovered nearby have been dated to between 2200 to 2500 years old. Designed by Kyle Phillips, most renowned for his work at Kingsbarns and one of the game’s top architects, Dundonald quickly became recognised as one of the best new courses in the world. Phillips desire to create “a championship, Ayrshire-style, links course that felt and played as though it was an old, rediscovered course, by integrating newly constructed features with existing site features” lies at the heart of what Dundonald Links is about. Test your skills in this most atmospheric of environments, where the course has been specifically designed to make use of the surrounding dramatic natural landscapes.
A world class course in traditional Ayrshire Links style, Dundonald Links was the venue for the first stage of the European Tour Qualifying School, a tournament it continued to host until 2011. 2012 saw Dundonald Links hosting the Senior Opening Qualifying games, where Senior golfers took to the links to apply their skills against the course's many challenges. The Boys Amateur Championship arrived here in 2014, as did the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open in 2015 and 2016.
About Dundonald Links – Brief History
- Originally known as Southern Gailes, this was the site of an old links golf course which was converted for military use during the Second World War, where troops practised the famous D-Day Landings
- The old course was bought by Loch Lomond Golf Club in early 2003
- Opened in 2005
- Underwent a name changed to Dundonald Links to mirror the site's amazing history, originally home to Fort Donald
- Course yardage varies from 6415 to 7300 yards so it can be played as a member or championship course
- In 2008 Dundonald was picked to host the first stage of the European Tour Qualifying School
- In 2012 the course hosted the Senior Opening Qualifying
- In 2014 Dundonald hosted the Boys Amateur Championship
- The world’s best female golfers played here for the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open in 2015 and 2016
- The links was the official venue for the 2017 Scottish Open
Dundonald Links Scorecard
Click here to view the scorecard
Featured hole - Hole 6
Your Dundonald Links experience will not be complete without a brave stab at the tricky 6th, one of the course's best holes, where the bunkers are deep and the going is tough. It features an elevated green, stunning dunes at the back as well as a little pot bunker. It's a testing Par 3 and measures 170 yards. There’s an awkward ditch paralleling the left-hand side, and if you happen to overshoot it, there'll be no avoiding ending up in the long grass. Relish the treacherous challenge this hole presents while taking in some of the finest views on the course.
Known for wide fairways
Dundonald’s wide fairways define this wonderful course, and are a classic Kyle Phillips feature. His fairways cut through confidence-raising man-made dunes, only to tighten on approach. The streams – known here in Scotland as burns – are also tricky customers, famed for their narrow and comparatively camouflaged contours. For this reason, you’ll need to keep your wits about you at no. 9 and no. 18 holes. And then there are the rail tracks to consider, to which the 13th and 16th holes are parallel, separating Dundonald from its sister course Gailes.
Dundonald Links Golf Breaks
The Experience Scotland is home to a range of superior golfing packages, including Dundonald Links golf and accommodation deals. Get in touch so we can help plan your dream Dundonald Links golf break. We’ll provide you with everything you need to make an unforgettable golfing experience. This can be fully customisable so you can have the golf holiday experience of your dreams.