If you were asked to name a golf course in Scotland the chances are you would choose St Andrews.
Home The 18-hole set of golf is the most famous in the world – but it’s not the best course in the country, a new poll has revealed.
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And this course has been considered the second best course in the world.
The prestigious golf magazine Golf Digest has recently released its latest list of golf’s best players. The World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses,
It is a great honour to be placed in this ranking, which is published every two years.
So if the Old Course at St Andrews is good enough for third place on this list, what ranks higher?
The name is familiar to any serious golfer, but the average fan – maybe even some Scottish ones – may never have heard of it.
Eight-time major winner and golf legend Tom Watson has named one place the most fun he has ever been to on a golf course. Royal Dornoch.
It’s dramatic and remote Highlands location, with views over the northern coast and sandy beach. beach of the Dornoch Firth, it’s a stunning place and as a result it’s one bucket list It is a destination for many golfers.
Royal Dornoch was built by Old Tom Morris (the same man responsible for the Old Course at St Andrews), John Sutherland, George Duncan and Tom Mackenzie. It is the latest modification by Mackenzie, renowned course architects Mackenzie and Ebert who are credited with Dornoch’s rise in the rankings.
This is a classic links routing, with the first half of the holes heading out to sea, and the remaining half heading back inland.
Dornoch was the home ground of Donald Ross, who also worked as greenkeeper. If you’ve heard his name before, it’s because he designed Pinehurst No. 2, the venue for this year’s US Open.
What sets Pinehurst apart from many of its rivals are its greens, and they take inspiration from Dornoch. Most links courses allow players to tuck the ball towards the pin, but many of the greens at Dornoch are elevated, so it gives golfers the added challenge of landing the ball close by while dealing with the harsh coastal winds.
But perhaps unlike Pinehurst, the greens at Royal Dornoch don’t feel unjust. They’re punitive, but not cruel.
The fairways are immaculate (and quite wide), with bright yellow gorse bushes on either side that look absolutely beautiful. Good They’re good for the eyes, but they’re terrible for the scorecard.
And the views across the North Sea are unparalleled.
Pau Gasol is confident the basketball team will reach the quarterfinals and Spain will reach 22 medalsbeauty The great thing about Royal Dornoch is that it is as natural a golf course as can be. Golf was first recorded as being played on this ground over 500 years ago in 1616. Man has made very little change to what was there before, only painting a golf course on top of the canvas of the land.
And yet every bush, every peak, every hump and depression has a purpose. It forces the golfer to think about every single shot.
The last time these rankings were updated, Royal Dornoch came in third place, meaning that for this latest release, the course has moved up one place.
As well as the latest improvements to the seventh and eighth holes, the club is currently developing a new clubhouse at a cost of £13.9 million as it prepares for its 150th anniversary in 2027.
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Neil Hampton, General Manager at Royal Dornoch Golf Club, said: “Obviously we are thrilled to have placed so highly in the Golf Digest rankings, particularly as many of the panellists will now have experienced the re-aligned 7th and 8th holes, which are the biggest changes made here since 1920 Open champion George Duncan planned to extend the 7th and 8th holes. Championships The route towards Embo in the late 1940s.
“The history of golf in Dornoch stretches back over 400 years and plays a vital role in the life of the town and the wider Highlands.
“Tom Mackenzie, of renowned architects Mackenzie & Abert and a long-standing club member, worked closely with course manager Eoin Riddell and his greenkeeping team to ensure the designed changes were perfect. Future This is proof that the course will blend seamlessly with the natural landscape, which is what Royal Dornoch has achieved.”
If Royal Dornoch is so spectacular and mesmerising, you’d think it would be in line to host The Open some day.
But this will never happen.
The little northern outpost of Dornoch, population With a capacity of 1,430, the stadium would certainly not be able to cope with the massive crowds that would attend such a tournament.
You not only have to take care of the professional players and the fans, but also the caddies, friends and fans. FamilyDon’t even mention the media.
The town also does not have a railway station and there is only one A road serving the area (to the north). coast 500 enthusiasts will confirm that Heat(The surrounding roads are not ideal).
So perhaps in the same way that Trump Turnberry’s Ailsa course has been held back by a lack of proper infrastructure (let alone Trump), Royal Dornoch will also never have its highest level of tournament golf.
and opposite the Cabot Highlands just outside the pass InvernessHosting the Scottish Open is not Dornoch’s dream.
Instead, it is of course Work For golfers, this could be a dream.
Golf Digest’s rankings for golf courses located outside the United States are compiled by a panel of experts from around the world.
Not only did Royal Dornoch beat St Andrews, but other prestigious Scottish grounds also featured in the top 10, including Ailsa, Muirfield and North Berwick.
Read more at The Scottish Sun
And what is the course that tops it?
the title is held in the Northern IrelandRoyal County Down.
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