Royal Dornoch Golf Club
Royal Dornoch Golf Club
4.5
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
About
Designed by Old Tom Morris in 1886, this challenging, historic course has spectacular views of the North Sea and goes almost straight out and straight back, with the angle changing subtly at each hole.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
410 reviews
Excellent
339
Very good
45
Average
15
Poor
6
Terrible
5
Plantie_x
Reading, UK60 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
What an incredible place! Adjoining the coastline, with half of the golf course on a higher raised area, the veiws are just stunning!
An amazing part of the world and the service is world class.
An amazing part of the world and the service is world class.
Written 18 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy Y
18 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
As everyone says, amazing golf course steeped in history, no question.
However, my mum, now in a wheelchair, has repeatedly been unable to access the restaurant as the lift has been broken.
Never mind the new club house, look after the one you have please - for everyone's enjoyment.
However, my mum, now in a wheelchair, has repeatedly been unable to access the restaurant as the lift has been broken.
Never mind the new club house, look after the one you have please - for everyone's enjoyment.
Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony E
10 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
This is a really very challenging golf course steeped in history. It also has some of the most spectacular views in golf . However, the staff there in the clubhouse are unbelievably unfriendly and extremely surly. A great shame . By all means play the course.
Written 4 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
davidsQ1548IO
Inverness, UK20 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
Took some friends along to pop their Royal Dornoch cherry. The middle part of our visit (the Golf) was exceptional- the starter was welcoming and well informed - maybe tried to cram too much into our golf brains on how to play some of the holes - no way we could remember it all. The course lived up to expectations though and was a wonderful challenge to my playing partners. Plenty photos taken and great memories made
The clubhouse staff before and after though put a blight on the day. I’d go as far as to use the word ‘rude’. It was as if paying customers were a hinderance to their day as opposed to the reason for their being.
That trip we played Castle Stuart and Trump Aberdeen where the clubhouse service was right up there with the quality of the courses and their facilities
Royal Dornoch - I’m sure you can do better
The clubhouse staff before and after though put a blight on the day. I’d go as far as to use the word ‘rude’. It was as if paying customers were a hinderance to their day as opposed to the reason for their being.
That trip we played Castle Stuart and Trump Aberdeen where the clubhouse service was right up there with the quality of the courses and their facilities
Royal Dornoch - I’m sure you can do better
Written 5 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
david j
12 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
This club and it's courses offer a superb golf experience as the staff in clubhouse lounge and bar are so friendly and helpful. Not so much in the pro shop however where staff can be indifferent and surly, especially to members and their guests. The golf itself is vastly overpriced and is driven by and caters mainly for the affluent oversees tourist and one would get the impression that the Americans are in ownership of all. In playing the championship I spent more time replacing divots than on focusing on my own game, all fresh from the group in front. It is common to witness hackers on par five holes using irons off the tee, all the while their red aproned caddy long suffering. A true shame as both members and locals seem to be treated as a necessary evil while commercialism and cash have remained king.
Written 27 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacqueline H
Scotland, UK97 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
For 53 years I have been coming to Dornoch on holiday and as family, we were golfers and were frequently in the clubhouse as a family. we were up for Sinclair club and our daughter her partner and my 7 month grandchild came along , we told them to go to golf club for lunch but they were treated so disrespectfully as they failed to mention that we were playing the competition. They left and we went up and challenged it when we found out what happened and it was basically my daughter was a liar and they weren’t disrespectful or rude and they had rules. Majority of clubs don’t even question it and they could have been signed in by a member. Total snobbery by staff member and after 53 years will not enter club again
Written 21 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WW
United Kingdom18 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
What a great experience from start to finish. The ‘ can do’ attitude from everyone is first class. This is the way to run a premier golf course (Cameron House Carrick take note) . Course was in outstanding condition… starter, caddie master, caddies, clubhouse staff, pro shop… all of you well done. Will be back with guests. 😊
Written 9 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
candiceg297
Mashpee, MA24 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Very disappointed with this club. We travelled from the us to play here and had rented clubs. The ladies set I was given was exactly the same size as the men’s set and they refused to offer anything in the way of compensation or even an apology. They said “those are the clubs they send us” and that was it. We hired two caddies - both great - and even they tried to talk to the golf pro who was not open to any remedies. All in all a very expensive disappointment. Skip this club- they obviously don’t care about visiting golfers. Course
Written 21 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert M
Edinburgh, UK13 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
What a fantastic Championship Golf Course. Wonderful from when we walked into the pro-shop to all the serving staff. Starter Mark, what a great gentleman. Thanks to all
Written 3 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jammydodger9999
Dorking, UK20 contributions
Jan 2023
Stayed in the hotel this week, no golf involved, just a lovely place to stay. From the moment we arrived we were made to feel welcome. Real fires burning in the reception and bar areas. Had 2 breakfasts and 2 evening meals while we were. Breakfast was included and offered the usual options and was most welcome. Evening meals were also top quality. Limited menu, but still plenty of choice, and beautifully presented. The Cullen skink was superb ! The hotel was not busy as the course was snowbound, so was extremely calm and restful while we were there. Dornoch is a lovely little place to visit also. Thank You to all the staff for a lovely stay.
Written 21 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
janieh445
Seattle, WA24 contributions
My husband will be playing golf in August, and I will accompany him to Dornoch. I am looking forward to strolling the course and the beach, but would like to do a few day hikes and am especially interested in local wildlife/sea life. Any suggestions?
Dukeman14
Houston, TX17 contributions
Janieh445 your husband is going really enjoy golfing at Dornoch. It really is a magical place. There are so many hiking options close to Dornoch. I’m not great at remembering the names. I typically just get in the car and take off with no plans and if I see a trail or something interesting I just try that. I do know that from the town of Dornoch there are many hiking options that you can get to on foot from town or the beach. If you want some elevation you can take the short drive to Golspie and hike up to the Duke of Sutherland monument. The view is amazing. There is a map at the bottom to give the different trail options. Right down the road from Dornoch on the way to Golspie is a spot that you can catch the seals sunbathing when the tide is out. The people are really very friendly there and will gladly point you in the right direction. I wish I could remember more details for you. I guess after 11 years it’s all blurring together. Have a great trip. I will be there in August as well playing in the Carnegie Shield at Royal Dornoch.
fiona20000
Sandringham, UK140 contributions
When you post a review which would merit a reply, does anyone know if the Club ever responds?
Or is that too much trouble?
I am disappointed but maybe I should have written to them rather than use Trip Adviser!
CandCsk
Saskatoon, Canada38 contributions
Never has happened to me!
Jeffrey W
Chicago, IL10 contributions
Hi, Jeffrey. What would you like to know about this attraction? I'm visiting Dornoch in late June to play golf, but would also like to go fly fishing (trout and/or salmon). Are there local guides / services that come highly recommended? Thanks!
Denise R
1 contribution
There are several members at Royal Dornoch who are also keen fishermen. Best advice would be to ask the ladies in the administration office who might be able to put you in touch
forbes715
Montrose, UK635 contributions
Hi as travelling from Stonehaven to Dornoch which would be long car journey could stone recommend best itinery as was thinking driving up then playing struie then staying over somewhere "recommendations close golf courses be great?"then pkaying Royal Dornoch then travelling home there after. Is the struie recommended or is it worth playing 2 rounds on same day on Royal Dornoch?
HHOD
13 contributions
I would recommend one round on the championship course and play the second round at Brora.
david f
25 contributions
can anyone recommend a good hotel in or around Royal Dornoch for 8, 50 + blokes, travel lodge, premier inns, etc or cheaper? we are golf nuts who like a beer or two after, were planning to go next Easter.
staytripper
Morristown, NJ69 contributions
The Best Western Plus Inverness Lochardil is the best value for money. It is 45 minutes to Royal Dornoch and 10 minutes from Castle Stuart. There are "specials" available at certain times of the year, playing both excellent destinations.
Read my reviews on all three; golf clubs & hotel. I visited in May, and Royal Dornoch is simply the best! Enjoy!
Staytripper
golfgal2011
Sarasota, FL
would you recommend the use of caddies for this course?
staytripper
Morristown, NJ69 contributions
A good caddie is essential. The course is not that difficult - with local knowledge!!
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Claim your listingROYAL DORNOCH GOLF CLUB: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Royal Dornoch Golf Club
- Royal Dornoch Golf Club is open:
- Sun - Sat 07:00 - 21:00
- Hotels near Royal Dornoch Golf Club:
- (0.05 mi) Links House at Royal Dornoch
- (0.11 mi) Royal Golf Hotel
- (0.14 mi) Amalfi Bed & Breakfast
- (0.07 mi) Carnegie Cottage
- (0.09 mi) Newly refurbished Apartment overlooking the main town square
- Restaurants near Royal Dornoch Golf Club:
- (0.05 mi) Mara at Links House
- (0.08 mi) The Coach House Bar And Restaurant
- (0.17 mi) Milk & Honey
- (0.07 mi) Coach House Bar and Restaurant
- (0.09 mi) ONE UP RESTAURANT