Designed by former Ryder Cup player Clive Clark and covering over 345 acres, Dumbarnie Links is in a word a “monster” of a golf course. Measuring between 5350 to 6900 yards, it also has a number of (pro) tees to extend the course to over 7600 yards, hence the use of the word “Monster.” However, don’t let that scare you as the course does not play and feel as long as those numbers.
Dumbarnie has very generous fairways, large undulating greens and boasts stunning views of the Forth Estuary, East Lothian and the East Neuk of Fife.
The Course has a generous flow to it - all tee shots feel like you are hitting down to the fairway or green which makes them very inviting. The greens are large targets however if you miss them you will be punished.
The two 9s are very well laid out. The front 9 has two dramatic par 3’s which are so appealing on the eye and give you the sense that you can attack the pins. The front 9 ends with a very demanding par 4, the fairway is generous, but the length of the hole and the undulating green will cause problems for any golfer. The front 9 slowly builds to allow the golfer to play themselves into the round; holes 1-4 are not too demanding but you still have to hit the ball into the right spots.
There are two key features on Dumbarnie Links that stand out - First, the two types of bunkering they have opted for. The modern Eco revetted bunkers look incredible and will stand the test of time and the Scottish weather. The other bunkers are these rustic old looking bunkers with the tall Links fescues framing each one.
The second feature is the almost constant risk and reward question the golf course asks you. Holes 2/3/5/7/10/11/12/13/15/17 all require a decision to either take a more daring tee shot or second shot. This feature is one that almost every golfer enjoys as it is the fine line of success and failure.
Holes 15-18 are set up to create the drama we all love on a golf course, with 15 and 17 being birdie chances and 16 and 18 being two very demanding holes indeed - there is such a great mixture for golfers of all abilities.
It has a mixture of the difficulty of Trump, the grand views and big skies of Castle Stuart and the beauty and romance of Kingsbarns.