Dumbarnie Links

Dumbarnie Links is one of the newest courses that you will find in NCG Top 100s lists. 

Situated on the Balcarres Estate, on Fife's south coast, the course only opened in 2020 and was designed by Clive Clark. The course plays at just shy of 7,000 yards, but in anticipation of hosting future tournaments, championship tees could stretch it out to 7,600 yards. 

Visit the Dumbarnie Links website here.  

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Dumbarnie Links completed several significant course-improvement projects over the winter of 2025-26.

The links closes for play each October, allowing Course Manager Grahame Taylor and his team to begin work for the following April. 

“We are always looking to improve the course and its playability during the off-season,” said Taylor. “We are always keen to listen to guest feedback when planning because we value their opinions on how the course is playing and set up.”

Last winter, these changes included significant improvements to the 4th, 5th, 12th and 18th holes.

On the right side of the par-4 4th, a narrow channel in the landing area has been raised to promote better growth, the result of which brings one of the bunkers more into play.

The 5th is a short par-4 that doglegs from left to right. It has been modified with greater reward now on offer for taking the riskier route down the narrower left side. This has been achieved by lowering two large mounds that sat six feet above the level of the green, making it difficult to hold the putting surface. 

The grass has been cut back from rough to approach height, to give a wider and more interesting range of options for the next shot.

At the par-4 12th, a new bunker has been added to the right of the fairway to add challenge to the drive and create a visual illusion. From the tee, three bunkers now apparently sit side by side – but the newest one, which is the furthest left, is actually 60 yards further on.

Dumbarnie General Manager, David Scott, said: “We continually listen to feedback because we always value the views of those golfers who play our wonderful links. Some alterations have been more significant than others, but each one has been very carefully considered with a view to improving the playing experience for the golfer.

“As well as sharpening and stabilising several bunkers, we’ve worked hard to keep the challenge fair. In the case of the 5th, it became clear that players would often get penalised for a successful shot down the left side, which shouldn’t be the case. Combined with some more subtle changes, the course looks spectacular,” said Scott.

The land that the course sits on is part of the Balcarres Estate. The House on the Estate was built prior to the end of the 16th century.  Fast forward over 400 years and Clive Clark was brought in to design a golf course here, which opened in 2020. 

The course already looks well established, with Clark’s design offering both professionals and club golfers a testing and exciting experience. 

For  mere mortals, Dumbarnie Links plays at a maximum of 6,950 yards – but much less than that for general play. 

This is a course where birdie opportunities will arise if you play from the correct tees relative to your ability. 

It begins with a 420-yard par 4 – but only after you've enjoyed a wee dram of whisky on the opening tee box. There is a generous fairway, and the green is guarded by two bunkers, both back left of the putting surface. 

The 2nd is the first of the four par 5s, playing just over 510 yards from the blacks. The fairway is split into two by a stream, which then winds round the second part of the fairway and back across in front of the green, splitting the whole into three. 

The 3rd is less than 340 yards, and the longest of hitters may be tempted to take on the green in the right conditions. However, for those looking to play the safe route, the fairway is wide, and apart from a singular bunker in the centre, there is not too much danger to watch out for.  

The 4th features 10 bunkers, three of those greenside. while the 5th has a split fairway, running either side of a mound and bunkers down the middle. Those choosing the left fairway will cut the distance down on the hole, but the right portion of the fairway is much wider. 

The 6th is the opening short hole at Dumbarnie Links, playing 185 from the black tees towards a backdrop of the Firth of Forth. A large green is guarded by three greenside bunkers. 

The 7th is the second par 5, and takes you around the northern boundary of the property. It is a dogleg right from the tee, with your aiming point being towards the out of bounds down the left.  

The 8th is the shortest hole on the course at just 155 yards, with its narrow green surrounded by sand traps. 

The closing hole on the front nine is another tough par 4, but the wide fairway should provide some comfort for those struggling from the tee. 

At 497 yards from the blacks, the 10th is a very challenging par 4. It is also one of the best holes in the entirety of our NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. It brings you to the coastline, with Hogs Balles Beach on your right. It plays away from the sand to begin with, before the dogleg rights take you back towards the beach. There is also a water hazard to contend with in front of the green.  

At 294 yards, with the wind behind, the 11th offers a definite chance of heroics and perhaps even having a tilt at the green. Seven bunkers might put you off from doing so, though, with the safe play being a long iron or hybrid out to the right, before taking on the green with a wedge. 

The 12th is another long par 4, this time straight, with just a couple of fairway bunkers in play off the tee. The green is pear-shaped, narrowing as it moves away from you. 

The 13th is one of two holes on the back nine that can stretch to more than 600 yards. For us amateurs, it plays 550 yards. It has an initially narrow fairway that splits into a left and right portion further down the hole to offer a strategic choice. 

The same is true of the 15th: the right side shortens the hole, with the left side being wider but adding distance. At 580 yards, most will need three shots to reach anyway, but how you score comes from the decision on the tee. 

Sandwiching the 15th are the two par 3s on the back nine. 

The 14th is relatively gentle compared to the 16th, which features a long and narrow green. Anything long of the 16th green will find one of four bunkers at the back.   

The final two holes at Dumbarnie Links are contrasting par 4s. The penultimate hole is only 360 yards from the black tees. You play down the left side to begin with, to a fairway which has no danger apart from a narrow stream which is arrow straight and runs down the right side. After hitting the fairway, you turn right to aim towards the green, hitting over said stream. Alternatively, the direct route is also available, but fraught with danger. In total, the 17th has 13 bunkers. 

Dumbarnie closes with a 450-yard par 4. Another dogleg right, the closer takes you back up to the clubhouse. Pairs of bunkers line the right side, with two then also on the left side of the green. A par on the last is a fine result indeed.

Michael Atkinson: Beautiful links creation, fantastic design, each hole intriguing, great condition.

Ian Woods: Wonderful imagination to turn featureless farmland into such a memorable course with options to play safe or be bold.  Because the majority of visitors will only play once, it's not overly punishing and even the wayward hitter should not lose many balls.

Neil White: Dumbarnie's gorgeous links matched the wonderful hospitality of a club whose reputation soars with each passing season.

Jim Marshall: Very playable and tranquil course with a variety of risk and reward holes. Greens and fairways impeccable.

Oliver Baker: Very enjoyable, lots of interesting holes, plenty of hero shots on half par holes, and challenging par 3's.

Dan Murphy: Maturing nicely. It's hard not to have a great time at Dumbarnie, with the best arguably saved until last in the shape of the challenging par-4 18th.

Andi White: It took amazing imagination to create a dunes golf course at Dumbarnie. And I loved the holes where you have risk-and-reward choices.

Read more about our panellists here.

Where is Dumbarnie Links located?  
Dumbarnie Links is one of several incredible golf courses located on the eastern coastline of Scotland. The course sits next to Hogs Balles Beach, looking back across to Leven. Both Dundee (north) and Edinburgh (south) are within an hour’s drive. Dumbarnie Links is just a few miles down the road from the Golf House Club, Elie.  International visitors looking to play at Dumbarnie Links are best travelling through Edinburgh Airport, the busiest airport in Scotland. Almost 15 million people travelled through Edinburgh in 2023.   

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?  
Dumbarnie Links is on of several stunning venues in the region of Fife. Leven Links and Lundin Links are to the west, with The Golf House Club, Elie to the east - all within five miles of Dumbarnie. You don't have to travel that much further to find Ladybank inland, and the likes of Crail (Balcomie), Kingsbarns and the plethora of courses at St Andrews on the eastern coastline.

What golf facilities does Dumbarnie Links offer?  
As well as the glorious golf course, Dumbarnie Links is also home to a beautiful driving range at the northern side of the property. It sits next to the first three holes, with a dedicated short game area at the side of the driving range, with two greens - one for putting and one for chipping. The latter has three bunkers for golfers to practice their sand skills before taking to the course.  
 

What are the green fees at Dumbarnie Links?
The price of a green fee at Dumbarnie Links changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.  

For more information on current green fees at Dumbarnie Links visit their website here.   

Visit the Dumbarnie Links website here. 

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