🏌️♀️ HOT OFF THE PRESS!: Dumbarnie Links selected to host 2021 Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open
Of the 34,000 golf courses in the world only around 250 can be called genuine links courses and of those just 40 are considered “world-class”. However, we think we now have the 41st and read on to find out how we can arrange for you to play it – not once but twice before it really opens to the masses!
Throughout the golfing globe the East coast of Scotland is known for being the home of links golf. In May 2020 a new flagship course was due to open to great fanfare and anticipation. And then overnight the World changed, celebrations were put on hold, hundreds of overseas golfers who were expected to tackle the fresh fairways were unable to make the pilgrimage and a much more low-key opening was planned.
However, that’s the only thing about the new course at Dumbarnie Links that is low-key! As you can see from the quotes below, all the leading golf media and reviewers have been raving about the course. So we thought it was time we took a look for ourselves at what is already rumoured to be a benchmark for the future of links golf.
UPDATE: Since writing this article Dumbarnie Links has been named as “2021 Development of the Year’ by leading Golf magazine Golf Inc
An unmissable golf experience
Before we start our Dumbarnie Links review of the course here’s a little of the background. The course is laid out over 350 acres of the Balcarres Estate on the Fife coast close to some of the most famous names in Scottish links golf including Lundin Links, Leven and Crail.
Unbelievably, the newest member of the links golf Kingdom of Fife was built in just 6 months and has been designed by former Ryder Cup player and now award winning golf architect Clive Clark. The layout is in the traditional “out and in” style which allows for holes on both the front and back nine to run as close as possible to the beach.
A perfect blend of nature and human design
Although when looking across the course it’s hard to believe, Dumbarnie is completely man-made. However, the blend between the surrounding natural environment and the course itself is seamless. It also has allowed the design team to be flexible with the layout and present different challenges for golfers of all handicap levels.
On the course this means a smooth transition between the low dunes and contours of the fairways before the fringes of pretty playable rough – especially by Scottish links standards.
The greens have generous run-off areas, elevated tees allow spectacular views, wide welcoming fairways, a variety of bunker shapes and sizes all combine to make the course demanding, but also and perhaps most importantly a pleasure to both experience and play.
Design style inspired by Peter Alliss
On reflection Clive Clark has clearly designed the course for golfers to have fun and perhaps inspired by one his most famous quotes:
“As my old friend, Peter Alliss, once said, ‘I have yet to hear a golfer come in from his round and declare: ‘I really enjoyed a great round of golf today – I only lost 6 balls and 3-putted five greens!’”
Quotes from leading Dumbarnie Links review articles:
“Dumbarnie will not intimidate, but instead will raise the spirit of the average golfer” National Club Golfer
“The course is a thinking players course and is fair and playable for all levels” Clive Clark course designer
“Scotland’s next bucket list course” Bunkered
“Blending old style links with modern course architecture, it’s a fine strategic test that asks all the right questions on all elements of the game. It’s a superb addition to Fife’s incredible array of links golf courses.” Golf Monthly
“The best new course in Scotland” Golf.com
“Our fourball were blown away, and not just by the wind which is such a defining part of the experience. The condition; the variety; the strategic design; the location. It all adds up to a stunning layout.” Today’s Golfer
“Dumbarnie Links is one of Scotland’s newest courses yet most lauded as it made an immediate impression on golf aficionados worldwide when it opened in May 2020, already establishing itself as an unmissable golfing experience on the east coast.” Women’s Scottish Open
What’s it like to play Dumbarnie Links?
If you don’t want a long and detailed Dumbarnie Links review then the short answer to this question is: “special and fun”!
As soon as you turn into the driveway of Dumbarnie Links you know you are at a special golf venue! The panoramic views over the Firth of Forth are stunning, and the course itself lays out in front of you inviting you to “come out and play!”.
This is one of those places that sparks up the golfing senses, has you reaching for your golf bag and pacing to the first tee before you can even think of a bacon sandwich!
The spectacular layout runs along a mile and a quarter of beach front. The site is on two separate levels which are connected by a gentle, sweeping escarpment. The elevations mean the design team could take advantage of some stunning views – 14 holes have panoramic tee box views of the Firth of Forth which, given many of the holes are housed in their own dune lined capsules, opens up a feeling of space and a wider environment.
Can’t do a Bryson off the tee? Not a problem at Dumbarnie Links!
Some of the recent generation of players come course designers engage in a race to see who can create the longest hardest set of par 4 holes and in doing so alienate 98% of players who will ever tee up a ball.
At Dumbarnie only two of the par 4’s come in over 400 yards – off the blue tees! There are four par 4’s less than 300 yards off the red tees and three off the whites meaning longer hitters have the option of going for the glory, while those of us slightly more modest in terms of distance than Bryson will have the pleasure of using something with loft for a second shot!
The seventeenth is one such hole and a real crowd pleaser! From the tee you have the option to lay up on a wide fairway to the left, or a wind up the big guns, believe in yourself and carry over a wall, heavy rough and bunkers to get up onto the green.
This is a fun golf course and one you’ll want to play more than once!
The par 3’s follow in similar vein – anyone looking for a monster 240 yarder will be disappointed! The four par 3’s range from 138 yards to 185 all with huge greens and most with elevated tees to allow you to get a good view in case the ball drops in for a “hole-in-one”!
Refreshingly, Dumbarnie Links relies on the environment and weather conditions for it’s defences so don’t for one moment think this is a pushover. It’s been said that the wind and pin position can make a difference of ten clubs on some of the par 3’s!
The best holes at Dumbarnie Links
One of the stand out holes on the course is the par 3 eighth which plays downhill across a burn onto a well protected tiered green all set against a stunning backdrop.
The 5th and 15th are both highlights of the round but the aforementioned 17th is perhaps the closest you can get to much sought after “signature hole”.
However, this is a course designed to be aesthetically pleasing and we guarantee you’ll be reaching for your camera almost as much as you will your putter during your round! Just a browse through the Dumbarnie Links instagram account will show you why!
Quality off the course as well as on it.
And the experience doesn’t just end at the 18th! In “normal” times when everything is running smoothly pre and post round the newly opened clubhouse is a place you won’t want to miss! Perched 90ft above sea level you can enjoy magnificent panoramic views across the course, over the Firth of Forth and beyond to the East Lothians.
To extend and enhance your experience The Old Barn comes highly recommended. The food and the views look and by all accounts taste fantastic – a great end to memorable day!
7 facts about Dumbarnie Links
- The course distance can range from 5,300 to 6,900 yards. However, there is a special set of 12 professional tees acrosse the course that mean it can measure up to 7,600 yards.
- Dumbarnie Links is part of The Balcarres Estate which is owned by Lord Balniel. Much of the land and buildings on the estate are preserved as places of special historic interest.
- Although the course looks very natural in its setting just about every aspect of the course is man-made. To achieve this finish massive earth moving machines moved huge amounts of soil to shape the golf course and build up “chocolate drop” dunes that line many of the holes
- Designer, and former Ryder Cup player Clive Clark has over 30 golf courses under his belt, many of them in the USA including several award winning venues. He started his golf design career with long-time friend and golf commentating legend Peter Alliss.
- The average width of the landing areas on the Open rota courses is just 28 yards at Dumbarnie it is 45!
- There are approximately 600 sand dunes protecting the course at Dumbarnie Links
- Whilst many of the bunkers are natural the revetted pot bunkers so familiar to those who watch the Open Championship use artificial sod to stack the faces meaning they last about four times longer and are more environmentally friendly.
How can you play Dumbarnie Links
No Dumbarnie Links review should be complete without letting readers know how they can experience the course so here we go…!
Currently, you can only book a tee time online or by calling the club for reservations up to 31 May 2021.
Standard visitors green fees are £258 per round although there are generous discounts for Scottish residents and a further reduction if you live in Fife – which fairly gives locals a fantastic opportunity to play this wonderful golf course.
If you’d like the assistance of a little local knowledge you can hire a caddie for a further £56 per round.
An alternative way to experience Dumbarnie Links
We’d heard so much about the development, read several Dumbarnie Links review articles and followed social media updates from early construction to the opening coverage last May that we’ve had the course on our radar for the past 18 months.
Once we got a feel for the amazing feedback players were having on the course we knew we had to add it to our tour schedule and share that golfing experience with our Greencard members.
So once we knew courses would be re-opening we quickly set about creating an tournament based around Dumbarnie and we think we’ve come up with a stormer of an event! You can read full details here but below are the highlights which include two rounds on Dumbarnie Links supported by a round each on the famous Fife courses at Lundin Links and Crail Crail Balcomie.
The event is being held 21-24 August 2021 and places are limited so if you are interested in playing what will soon become one of the most coveted courses in Scotland and a must-have bucket list links course please call us on 0208 191 7798 or email enquiries@greencardgolf.com.
Dumbarnie Links review image gallery:
Our Dumbarnie Links review summary
This is a very special golf course, designed for fun but also as a strategic challenge with options on just about every hole. It’s one you’ll want to tell your golf buddies about and if you’re quick you still have the opportunity to be one of a select few who’ve been able to play the course!
What we really like about it above all is that if you do get fortunate enough to play Dumbarnie Links you’re going to have a great day out on a beautiful and fair golf course that will enliven the spirits and give you an experience you’ll treasure and want to share for many years to come.
Congratulations to all involved with the design and management of Dumbarnie Links through the most testing of times you’ve come up with a real gem of a golf facility that golfers throughout the world will be able to enjoy long into the future.