Dundonald Links

Dundonald Links is a modern links great. Situated in Ayrshire's glorious golfing region, it is not just a course, but a championship resort.

The world-renowned golf architect Kyle Phillips was the man to design the course at Dundonald, which has gone on to host several international tournaments.

Those have included the both the Scottish Open on both the DP World Tour and the Ladies European Tour, the latter of which it remains the current host. Final Qualifying for the Open Championship is also being held at Dundonald Links from 2023 until 2026.
 

It is not just golf that Dundonald Links has to offer. With incredible facilities, including a hotel and small pods for you to stay in, it can provide a great weekend trip.
 

 

 

 

You can check out our full piece on the Dundonald Resort here.
Visit the Dundonald Links website here.
Go back to the NCG's Top 100s Homepage. 

 

The original layout had opened in 1911, with 18 holes designed by 1883 Open Champion Willie Fernie but the property was severely affected by the two World Wars. 
 

Loch Lomond Golf Club purchased Dundonald Links in 2003 to provide a traditional links challenge on the west coast. Kyle Phillips, who had recently designed Kingsbarns, was entrusted to bring the glory days back.
 

Just five years on, Dundonald Links was a venue for the First Stage of the European Tour Q School, an event it hosted through the next four years. Senior Open Qualifying and the Boys Amateur Championship also came to Dundonald within its first decade. Since then huge championships have followed. 

 

The final piece of the jigsaw came in 2019, when Darwin Escapes purchased Dundonald Links and embarked on a £25 million development plan. The new clubhouse and luxury accommodation opened in 2021.
 

As you would expect from the championship venue, Dundonald Links can easily stretch to the 7,00-yard barrier for professional tournaments. There is a handful of teeing options, though, to make sure that everyone who plays as Dundonald Links enjoys themselves, ans has scoring opportunities throughout a round.

 

It does kick off with a tough opening hole, though, at 460 yards from the tips. Out of bounds is all down the right, and the green is incredibly undulating, with errant shots sent away off the left side. Following the par 4 2nd which measures more than 400 yards, the 3rd is the opening par 5 on the course. A ditch runs along the fairway down the right before cutting across as the hole fades from left to right. Longer hitters can go for the green in two, but it has to be an accurate approach due to trouble down that side. The first par 3 sits at 215 yards from the back tees, and the 4th usually plays even longer into the prevailing wind. 
 

The second par 5 measures 550 yards, and bends to the left while, at 170 yards, the 6th is still fraught with danger. A ditch runs in front and then round to the left of the green, while two bunkers and gorse lurk on the opposite side. The front nine closes with three par 4s all similar in length. The 7th takes you back away from the clubhouse, before you turn for home on 8 and 9. A ditch in front of the 9th green could change the momentum of your round.

 

After a quick stop off at Dundonald's version of the 'Bothy', you crack on with the back nine. The second nine also starts with a long par 4, this time bending slightly to the left. Two big hits will be needed to get home, to a 38-yard-long green, one of the biggest on the property. The 11th measures just 120 yards, but don’t be fooled. Three huge bunkers sit in front of the green, and leave an incredibly difficult shot - about 10 feet vertically - to find the surface. Don't go long, as balls run off into Cauldron - one of the most treacherous little pot bunkers on any links. Hitting the green is essential on 11.
 

After a couple of par 4s, including the shortest par 4 on the course - the 12th - follow next. The 13th runs along the railway line, with the tracks marking the boundary of the course on your left side. The long par 5 14th, at 540 yards, will probably require three shots. It also has a very narrow fairway in the landing zone, before moving slightly round to the right on your second and third shots. 15 is the longest par 3 on the course at 215 yards from the tips and two large bunkers protect the front left of the green. 

The closing stretch at Dundonald starts with 16, the longest par 4 on the property. The card says 470 yards, but it usually plays into the prevailing wind to make it feel more like 500. Five fairway bunkers then lie in wait for the tee shot on 17, three to the left and two to the right, all in a short distance of each other. Longer hitters can cut the corner but that option is fraught with danger. Dundonald Links finishes with a par 5. The 18th is the longest hole on the course, and has a total of 11 bunkers lying in wait. Birdie is a possibility, but the stream running in front and right of the green can lead to big scores too - especially with people on the balcony overlooking your progress.
 

Where is Dundonald Links located?  
Dundonald Links is located within half an hour's drive of both Ayr and Kilmarnock on the west coast of Scotland. The club sits directly off the A78, which runs between Greenock and Monkton.
 

Glasgow Prestwick Airport is only seven miles to the south of Dundonald Links, but for the majority of international visitors, the best bet is to fly into Glasgow Airport. It is the second busiest airport in the country - behind only Edinburgh - and is around 25 miles to the northeast of the venue. Dundonald Links sits halfway between Irvine and Brassie Stations, with both sitting on the line that runs services between Glasgow Queen Street and Ayr.

 

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?
The Ayrshire coastline is a hotbed for world class golf, and Dundonald Links is just one small part of that. It has three neighbours - Western Gailes, Gailes Links and Kilmarnock Barassie - that all feature on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. Further afield (though not too far), you will find Open Championship venues in Prestwick, Royal Troon and Trump Turnberry, along with the likes of Prestwick St Nicholas, Irvine and West Kilbride.
 

What golf facilities does Dundonald Links offer?  
Along with the sublime championship golf course, Dundonald Links also has a beautiful driving range, with grass tees. There is also a state-of-the-art short game area, with several flags, bunkers and chipping areas to practice from. A putting green sits by the 1st tee for those final touches. 

What are the green fees at Dundonald Links?
The price of a green fee at Dundonald Links changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. There are also stay and play packages available at the resort. 

 

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

 

 

You can also play at Dundonald Links as part of our Ayrshire Autumn Swing.

 

You can check out our full piece on the Dundonald Resort here.
Visit the Dundonald Links website here.
Go back to the NCG's Top 100s Homepage.