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Royal Dornoch's Championship Course is an 18-hole, par-70 links extending to 6,799 yards beside the Dornoch Firth. Golf on the links is documented from 1616, while the club was founded in 1877. Old Tom Morris transformed the original nine-hole course into an 18-hole layout in 1886, after which long-serving secretary John Sutherland steadily refined the course.
Dornoch native Donald Ross, who served as the club's greenkeeper and first professional before emigrating to the United States, also made significant changes, notably to the first and second holes in the 1920s. The course is characterised by natural links ground, raised plateau greens, run-offs, gorse and coastal wind. Visitors are accepted seven days a week subject to availability.
The course is an 18-hole links golf course. It plays to par 70, 6,799 yards. Designed by Old Tom Morris, the course originally opened in 1886. It is open to the public. On-site facilities include Clubhouse, Restaurant, Pro shop, Caddies, Practice facilities.
Golf was played on Dornoch's links long before a formal club existed. The club was founded in 1877 with nine holes. In 1886 Old Tom Morris travelled north from St Andrews, surveyed the links and laid out a more developed 18-hole course measuring 5,285 yards.
The course evolved rather than being produced in one construction campaign. H. Taylor and Donald Ross continued that evolution.
Raised greens, natural slopes and run-offs became defining characteristics.
The course was lengthened to 6,005 yards in 1906. Donald Ross proposed radical alterations to the first two holes during a 1921 visit; most of those plans were approved in 1927 and completed the following year.
Royal Dornoch has repeatedly appeared near the top of international course rankings. The club credits Herbert Warren Wind's 1964 writing with helping reintroduce the links to an international audience.
The Championship Course remains the club's principal links, alongside the separate Struie Course, and welcomes visitors subject to availability.
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| Fee Type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Other | ||
| April-October 2026 Championship Single Round | £360 | Official 2026/27 visitor rate. |
| November 2026-March 2027 Championship Single Round | £200 | Official winter rate; club notes courses are closed to non-members in December, January and February. |
| Twilight | ||
| April-October 2026 Championship Twilight | £215 | Twilight begins 6pm May-July and 5:30pm in August. |
Prices are indicative and subject to change. Contact the course to confirm current rates.
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