|
 |
 |
Dundonald, Scotland |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dundonald Links
Ayr Road
Gailes
Irvine
KA11 5BF
Scotland |  | Kyle Phillips |  | Guy Redford |
|
 | +44 (0) 1294 314000 |  | 1 mile S of Irvine |
 |
Golf Club Website
|
 | Contact in advance |  | Guy Redford |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
Dundonald Links originally set out to be part of a golf and residential complex called Southern Gailes but when that didn’t happen, Loch Lomond Golf Club stepped in to snap up the course for its members, commissioning Kyle Phillips to put the finishing touches to the design. 
Dundonald translates to “Fort Donald” and fortifications have been located near here dating as far back as 200 BC. A golf course existed on the site in the 1900s but this was later turned into a military station named Dundonald Camp. It was here that D-Day landings were rehearsed during World War II.
Lying next to the long established courses of Kilmarnock Barassie, Glasgow Gailes and Western Gailes, Dundonald is obviously situated in prime golfing country. The course yardage can vary from 6,415 to 7,300 yards so it can be played as a comfortable member course or as a championship venue.
Only opened in 2005, Dundonald will prove to be a links of some repute once it has matured. If you like the pampering that goes with golf at the top tracks then this is the place to enjoy such millionaire’s golf for a relatively modest green fee.
Dundonald Links was originally nominated as a Top 100 Gem by Jim McCann and was added to the site on 3rd November 2005. Dundonald has since become a ranked course in our Scottish Top 100. Below is Jim’s original nomination:
Dundonald started out about five years ago as Southern Gailes, which was to be a mix of golf facility and housing, but I gather finances dried up so Loch Lomond stepped in to acquire a very pleasant winter course for their members.
The Dundonald experience begins at the gatehouse when the security man lifts the barrier to let you in – everyone from then on seem to know your name. It’s a mirror of the treatment you get at Loch Lomond (or so I’m led to believe as, unlike here, you cannot pay and play at Loch Lomond unless you are a Scot who is very lucky to get one of the few SGU tee times available). The temporary clubhouse, like Archerfield in East Lothian, looks nothing on the outside but inside it would put most other permanent buildings to shame with its quality of finish.
The course is laid out between Kilmarnock Barassie to the south, Glasgow Gailes to the north and Western Gailes to the west so it is set in prime golfing country – what a pity the big paper mill to the north looms over so much of the skyline at that side of the course. Total yardage varies from 6,415 to 7,300 yards on the Championship tees so this venue will be more than capable of hosting the Scottish Open if it is moved from Loch Lomond some time in the future, allowing professionals to practice their links skills here just before the Open.
The greens were big and fast, even after some days of heavy rain. One or two fairways were a little more sodden than one would have expected but perhaps some extra drainage work will sort that out. If that’s the only fault to be found at Dundonald then it’s not doing too badly.
Jim McCann update February 2009:
After nominating Dundonald as a gem back in November 2005, I can confirm that the drainage of some fairways here is no longer an issue as every single one played to a true, free-draining links standard. | |
|
| |
If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
|
|
|
|
|
 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |  | | Today was my fourth game at Dundonald and I must confess that I’d never really paid too much attention to the green sites or their contours in my previous visits. Not so today as I was struck by the really tough pin position on the very first hole, as this got me wondering where else could the hole have been cut to make it any more difficult! And it was only as the round progressed that I came to fully appreciate how  challenging many of the putting surfaces were. It might be less than a week to Christmas and we’ve had some horrendously bad weather in recent days but – apart from large puddles on the fairways at holes 10 and 15 and casual water in many of the bunkers, to be fair – the course was in remarkable condition. Greens, in particular, were of a standard that many a club would be proud to boast of at the high of their summer season. The front nine grows on me the more I play it (although the par three 4th remains the weakest hole by far on this loop), and it ends with a terrific par four played to a shallow green that sits behind a sneaky wee burn. The short par four 12th is another fine two-shot hole where the severely rumpled fairway leads to an elevated green that was framed this morning by the snow-covered mountains of Arran across the Firth of Clyde – what a bonnie sight! Over the last couple of years, Dundonald seems to have opened its doors to a more inclusive golfing clientele through its promotion of reasonably priced green fees so fair play to the club for charging sensible sums of money for what is clearly a superior links product, even in the middle of winter. Jim McCann |
|
|
| 20 December 2011
|
Reply
|
| A modern links which looks very good for its youthful age, and should mature nicely. I say modern because the course differs from many older vintage courses found in Ayrshire and other parts of Scotland. The rough is (mercifully) quite short and the fairways reasonably generous. The course set-up promotes an enjoyable and fairly quick  round with many options of how to play each hole. Having a great long game is not vital to a good score. The short game is where the course allows the better player to stand out either with subtly-contoured, compact green complexes like the par 3 6th or the more testosterone-fuelled challenges such as the monster tier bisecting the 13th. I was lucky enough to only find out how tough the bunkering can be on the 17th. The bunker at the rear of par 3 11th in particular resembles an attempt to garner infamy for the course. For the first-timer who doesn’t realize its depth from the course guide, and ends up in it, a re-load from the tee would be advisable. The temporary-build clubhouse was unexpected and out-of-keeping, and along with the paper mill backdrop it may be off-putting to some. If you visit courses for the golf it will not matter to you. The welcome from the staff and in particular the starter is just right. The course has much potential with additional space to grow and upgrade its facilities. Highly recommended. |
|
|
| 12 December 2011
|
Reply
|
| | Our group played Dundonald in September, the last course on a tour of ten courses in and around Ayrshire. We were very pleased. The course was in excellent shape, the conditions suitably traditional ( a bit of wind, rain, sun - all of which would repeat themselves periodically). We found the course challenging and great fun. While I'm not sure I would rate it ahead of Western Gailes, I would recommend it to anyone who was planning a golf excursion to the area. |
|
|
| 15 November 2011
|
Reply
|
| | A very enjoyable, accessible and good value game of golf. It's invidious to compare a course to others simply because of proximity, but since others have done so I will join in ! It's arguably on a par with Glasgow Gailes, but I would disagree with the previous reviewers who put it on the same page as the course over the railway, Western Gailes. One is always conscious of being removed from the sea which for me detracts from a links golf course. Well worth playing, but since it is now a pay and play course the conditioning and slow round that we experienced due to hackers in front inevitably make it a three/four ball. As others have stated, the starter is very hospitable. dan |
|
|
| 03 September 2011
|
Reply
|
| Response: | | | Chris | 12 November 2011 | | 12 of us played here 10th Nov 2011 and loved it, modern style of links bankings at side of fairways so you can’ see any other holes , tough greens with plenty of pace and not a weak hole on the course, lots of raised greens with well guarded bunkers, great layout, definitely put it on your list you wont be disappointed, we rated this just behind Tunberry Ailsa, but above Western Gailes and Glasgow Gailes. | | | dan | 30 December 2011 | | I have to disagree that Dundonald rates above Western Gailes - Glasgow Gailes just maybe. You get changed in a Portakabin (a very nice Portakabin, but still...), there are few classic holes and you can hardly see the sea. No comparison to Western Gailes, its stately club house and some classic sea shore holes with greens nestled in the dunes... |
| | | Lovely course but spoiled by the neighbouring and unsightly paper mill. If you can try to overlook that the course itself is in magnificent condition with excellent greens. Friendly staff also helped make it a good day's golf. |
|
|
| 12 May 2011
|
Reply
|
| | I played Dundonald on the day of the Royal Wedding, being one of the first out on the course.The fairways were running firm as I sent an approach shot to the lower tier of the 1st green. Unfortunately the pin was cut on the upper section, and I found these elevation-cahnge greens tricky and difficult to judge. A bogey was the inevitable result. This did not dampen my enthusiasm for a really well-kept course, and I remedied my score by parring the 2nd. The choice of tees is geared to suit eery levfle of player, and the design of each hole looks superb from the blues.Strategy and caution are both required on many holes, with bunker placements and small burns guarding the fronts of most greens. The closing four holes is as good as you could wish for on a relatively new links course. I parred the long 14th and also the beautiful 16th hole, flanked by dunes, pines and the railway. The closing hole is a real grandstand finish to a tricky green. I came in one under par and delighted with a great day out on Dundonald. The courtesy and friendliness of the starter is worthy of the best Scottish courses, and the rest of the staff are also a credit to Dundonald Links! |
|
|
| 08 May 2011
|
Reply
|
| | This is a stunning course. At 6,700 yards off the Blue Tees it is a little long which adds to the challenge. The greens are excellent and full of gradient. Pin positions cam vary from gentle to hideous. The bunkers are dangerous. Particularly the 15th. Avoid these at all costs. Each hole is lined by rolling banks that make the holes feel individual and sheltered from the rest of the course. Tee shots vary particularly the par 3s. Today I hit Rescue, 9, 8, 4. The 16th is hard. Very hard. So is the 10th. A real challenge. The burn on 3 and 18 make you think on these par 5s. Having played Glasgow Gailes, Ailsa, Kintyre, St Nicholas and St Cuthbert. This is the biggest challenge and with the exception of Ailsa (obviously) the best lay out and enjoyment. Enjoy. |
|
|
| 12 April 2011
|
Reply
|
| | I played Dundonald on a calm, sunny February morning and was bowled over by the beautifully kept fairways and greens. Sure, it is not a traditional or long- established links course, but it is surprisingly good nevertheless, and the value is superb.The starter is a real gent who offers good advice before the round, and I got off to a wonderful score with a 4 at the long first hole with its long narrow green. With ithe burn splitting the fairway in half, the 3rd hole is a real conundrum and makes you think carefully about which club to hit. The par 3 6th is a real gem of a hole, the attractive, sloping green sheltered from the west by small pine trees. I really came to life on the back nine, and enjoyed the long par 5 14th,the short but challenging 15th, and the lovely 16th hole (stroke ind.1) undulating along the side of the ayr - glasgow railway. The food and welcome that awaited me at the end of a great round was fantastic. Well done to all the staff at Dundonald for their professionalism and courtesy! |
|
|
| 21 February 2011
|
Reply
|
| | nice course, however I too, would be of the opinion that it didnt have the mature feel of both Western Gailes and Glasgow Gailes. Off the tee wasnt too much of a challenge and certainly i found it quite a bit easier than Western in particular. Also there is no permanent clubhouse at the moment which lessens the experience. However I would agree with the previous comments about the quality of the par 3's. |
|
|
| 07 September 2010
|
Reply
|
| This continuous stretch of land that courts the west coast of Scotland offers a delectable concoction of solid links courses of which Dundonald was the last I had the pleasure of sampling. The immediate vicinity presents an additional three courses all considered to be in Scotland’s top 50, so the competition is indeed profuse. I would deem Glasgow Gailes and Barassie to be overrated, with Western Gailes providing nothing short of heavyweight competition.
Inevitably we have the Loch Lomond brand and dynamism of Kevin Gyle competing against the established tradition and natural wonder of Western Gailes. Off the record, we were informed that the owners are trying to sell the Dundonald. It’s no secret that Loch Lomond is struggling financially and it is likely that they are trying to offload what is considered to be the member’s winter course. Read what you will into these rumours and stories but if the outcome is a £30 green fee (applicable Monday to Friday for post 15:00 tee times) then you won’t catch me complaining.
The course itself is a delight to play. Previous complaints about immaturity can be dismissed as you would never now that Dundonald is a relatively young course. It plays like a dream and seems to naturally unfold as you meander through the fairways and surrounding dunes. The greens are of exceptional quality and struck me as being extremely versatile. The pin positions were rather conservative during my visit but the potential to crank it up a notch was more than evident given the complexity of many of the greens.
You cannot review Dundonal without mentioning the bunkers as it presents some of the fiercest, cavernous, gaping black holes that I have ever come across. Truly daunting and wickedly located. There is a plentiful abundance of potential to hold a EPGA event on this links. Contrary to what some may suggest there is nothing overly contrived about Dundonald. Granted it does not have the sea views of Western Gailes that seem to augment the organic experience but it does not play or feel like a manufactured links.
There are plenty of memorable holes with three of the four par 3’s being of exceptional quality. The 6th. 11th and 16th demand the type of shot that makes me play this beautiful game. As you stand on these Tee’s you are presented with a jaw droopingly inviting shot full of risk and reward. Exactly what a par 3 should offer. I all too easily fell into the trap of grabbing the driver out of the bag and blasting into the unknown when faced with the unfamiliar. There is far more to this course thatn meets the eye and in retrospect I wish I had thought a touch more strategically from the tee and I may of kept the ball in play and carded a half decent score. It’s tough in parts with the back 9 being much harder. I didn’t play anywhere near my handicap but still cannot wait to return. Given time this course will close the perceived gap between its alleged more illustrious neighbour and it will certainly rise up this top 100 list. |
|
|
| 22 July 2010
|
Reply
|
| Dundonald is rightfully becoming yet another great course on the Ayrshire coast. It's closest neighbour, Western Gailes is a measure of the very best in the area and this relatively new layout (separated by the railway line), has a youthful maturity exemplified by its testing championship design as well the attention and effort that goes into developing greens and fairways that in time will match any of the great links. We played Western Gailes and Dundonald the same day and you inevitably find yourself drawing comparisons. Whilst Western Gailes has been established for over a 100 years and boasts the coastline vantage point, Dundonald does have 18 holes to rival, if not eclipse the challenge of its neighbour. Some of what Dundonald has created is man made, but the creation of dunes, raised and contoured greens with spectacular bunkering held great interest for the whole round.
The short holes are an excellent mix and it is worth highlighting the 15th - A long carry with a fearsome greenside bunker located deep beneath the raised putting surface. This would grace any open championship track and would be the potential "card wrecker" for any great score coming in. The shortest of the par 3's are the 7th and the 11th. Both are well protected, but the 11th plays straight into the wind (as you head toward the sea). Taking a wedge and lobbing It high in the air is not the shot, but from a tee not much more than a100yards it is hard to tell yourself to do any different!! As you head down the 12th you only see glimpses of the sea, however what the Gailes loses and Dundonald gains is its abundance of pine trees which provide an attractive routing and backdrop to many of the holes. A number of par 4's and 5's are framed beautifully and are toughened by the meandering burn which is a feature of the course. The 2nd, 9th, 14th and 16th capture the pleasure of pine mixed with links with clever use of bunkering along the fairways and around the greens.
As a course we were left feeling that Dundonald rightly commands its place in the Top 100 and compliments the traditional Western Gailes experience. The staff at Dundonald made us feel very welcome and as a package it should be on your play list when visiting the west coast of Scotland. Ian Henley |
|
|
| 07 July 2010
|
Reply
|
| | I arrived on the first tee on a sunny February afternoon. I was the last man on the course and the starter could not have been more helpful in his advice and encouragement. Playing from the blue tees I could see this magnificent course just as Kyle Phillips had planned it. A feeling of having the place to yourself as you stroll down each well laid out fairway and approach the large but very tricky greens. The clusters of pines were shining around each green as the winter sun illuminated every swale and hollow on this under-rated layout. The sixth hole is a little beauty, with fair but challenging tests around the green. Another favourite of minbe is the long par 4 sixteenth,which hugs the railway line south, where I considered myself as doing well at the end of the day, witht the light slowly fading, to score a 5. The welcome and the facilities back at the clubhouse were excellent, and I will definitely return to play here again. |
|
|
| 09 March 2010
|
Reply
|
| | Finally in Scotland! My father in law had just turned 70 and my present for him was a trip to Scotland to discover the home of golf. This was his first time outside Norway playing golf and he was nervous as hell. I booked Dundonald in the afternoon because I think the ondulations are easier to discover with the sunset setting in. It turned out to be a fantastic afternoon and the nerves of my father in law was long gone after having discovered every bunker on the first hole, 5 if I am not wrong. I have played golf for over 30 years at hcp 3 and this round will rank among my 5 best. The holes shaped in way that you don´t want to leave the tee. I just love when you can visualize the way you are gonna play the hole and don´t have to hit and hope for the best. THe fairways were great for being such a young course and the greens were very fast and even although I might have preferred them a litte softer. By the 12th we played the rest of the round in perfect sunset and it felt like heaven. The course is not long for a lowhcper and there are not much heather and water either. But you have to manage you game and put on the Crenshaw feel on the greens. The clubhouse looked somewhat unworthy such a fine course but the service was great. My father in law sunk the last put and was probably many over his hcp but you could tell by the tears in his eyes that he had one his best days of his life. We will be back! |
|
|
| 18 January 2010
|
Reply
|
| | I played on a windy Sunday afternoon in October 2009. The course was pretty crowded, unfortunately including several truly clueless groups shooting high scores and devoting Nicklaus-like attention to each of ~120 shots per man. (Fast play is usually a given on Scottish courses, so this was disturbing. Some firm marshall intervention would have been useful). That aside, the layout is consistently interesting and well worth playing. A great and varied group of par 3s, with nice variety among the par 4s and 5s (short and long, dog-legs, etc.) as well. Not the easiest place to find (several miles inland), and not on a par with classics like Turnberry and Prestwick, but well worth your time if you're playing a number of courses in Ayrshire. |
|
|
| 14 October 2009
|
Reply
|
| Response: | | | JAS | 26 December 2010 | | (several miles inland) Eh??? If stood on the 13th tee you turned 90 degs left you would be the width of the railway and 2 Western Gailes fairways from the sea. Fully agree about the consistently interesting though and yes it is well worth playing especially on current green fee specials |
| | | I played on Saturday before going to watch the Open on Sunday, had mixed feelings about the place. The condition of some of the fairways was poor, I'd put this down the age of the course. The green on 11th was very patchy, if any of the greens at my local course was as bad as that the members would be up in arms. Having said all that the layout is good fun and challenging, I also like the fact the holes are seperated by mounds, giving a feeling of seclusion. It's a good modern take on the traditional links layout, however having played Kingsbarns a few years ago, Dundonald felt like a poor relation. I understand it's up for sale and Loch Lomond have financial problems. It really needs a bit of TLC and investment, a proper club house is surely a must. Not sure who would buy a club surrounded by such quality competiion though? |
|
|
| 21 July 2009
|
Reply
|
| | Good course, great back 9 and very attentive service, experience only spoilt by poor quality greens. |
|
|
| 04 June 2009
|
Reply
|
|  Dundonald, truth be told, has me in a reviewing quandary. It is, in my opinion, a course of two distinct 9’s with the back 9 being a lot stronger and better than the outward half. Infact, whilst playing the front 9 I was constantly wondering what all the fuss was about. Maybe I was expecting too much because it is Loch Lomond’s sibling, I found it featureless (with the exception of the glorious short sixth) and overlong, a homage if you like to combating modern golfing technology, a bit dull, but it also has to be said, very challenging. This apathy lifted from the 11th tee until the last putt as the last 8 holes saw Dundonald turn from an ugly duckling to a striking swan.
I could go on at length about each of these holes but I would like to single out 3. The aforementioned 11th which is Dundonald's answer to the postage stamp. A seemingly innocuous 120 yard one shoter but don’t be fooled and don’t be long as a crafty coffin bunker awaits over hits making par from here neigh on impossible. The 17th is a tricky dog-legged par 4 with more strategic bunkers than you can shake a stick at and the 18th, a par 5 with a do or die 3rd shot over a burn which serpentines the green should you chose to take it on. So, in the end, despite my misgivings, Dundonald won me around. I still think that it is a course which will suit big hitters better but it is worth playing for the last 8 holes alone. If I have to enter the Dundonald/Kingsbarns debate then my vote must definitely goes to Fife as Kingsbarns, due to its location has something that Dundonald can never have. That being said I can see both sides of the argument but one thing that can’t be argued is that Dundonald is a quality track which eventually captured my curmudgeon heart. MPPJ |
|
|
| 17 March 2009
|
Reply
|
| It was just over three years since I first played here when I took advantage of Dundonald’s very generous winter 2008/9 tee time offer and gave myself the chance to reacquaint myself with the course. I agree with others that the man made dunes look a wee bit artificial in places, but maybe only because they were quite bare on a late February morning and will look better when grasses grow back in the spring. I also agree with other reviewers that a) this track is tougher than Kingsbarns (especially when the par fives on the front nine are played into the prevailing wind), b) it sometimes feels more about length (even from the member tees) than strategy on the way round and c) the 4th hole is the only one of the par threes that doesn’t quite hit the spot the way the others do.
 Holes 3 and 9 with water cutting across the fairways are memorable on the front nine but the round really comes to life on the back nine, starting at the par three 11th. From this point on, holes just get stronger and stronger, finishing with a very tough trio that play to stroke index 1, 7 and 5! After nominating Dundonald as a gem back in November 2005, I can confirm that a couple of concerns then have since been sorted - the drainage of some fairways here is no longer an issue as every single one played to a true, free-draining links standard and the new course yardage book now correctly gives notice of the water hazards at holes 6, 9, 13 and 18 – proving just how responsive to Top100 criticism the nice people at Loch Lomond Golf Club can be! Jim McCann |
|
|
| 20 February 2009
|
Reply
|
| Response: | | | Colin Baird | 06 November 2009 | | With reference to Jim McCann's review: The ditches depicted in the Pro-Guide yardage book were indeed ditches in 2005. But they were dry and simply topographical features. They were neither classified nor marked as hazards. The designation as "WATER HAZARD" is a matter of local rules and did not apply in 2005. Water was introduced into them over the winter of 2005/2006. They have subsequently been designated as hazards in the local rules. All of this was recorded and amended at the earliest opportunity in our regular course review of Dundonald. It was nothing to do with Jim's review or any request from Dundonald (they know that we take care of these matters for them). It is an unfortunate fact that when a course is altered (usually during winter months) the revisions to a course guide have to appear after the work is finished. At Pro-Guide we pride ourselves in continuously updating our guides (several times a year in some cases - 3 times at Dundonald in 2009) unlike most of our competitors whose guides, printed in huge volumes, often languish for years on the counters full of obsolete information and detail. It was Jim's bad luck that he visited Dundonald in the small window between the course modifications and our revision. Colin Baird Chief Course Surveyor and Publishing Director Pro-Guide |
| | | Dundonald Links Played 13 May 2008 If Kyle Phillips was trying to deliver the essence of a true links course, then for my money he created something much closer to it here than he did at Kingsbarns. I’m told that a lot of earth and sand were moved to create the final layout but the end result is a much more natural looking and superb series of testing holes that require the combination of length, accuracy, finesse and intelligent play that are the hallmarks of great links golf. (Unfortunately I didn’t bring that game with me!) The long par 5 eighteenth is a cracking example of what I mean and must be one of the best finishing holes in golf. The very welcoming and efficient staff and our knowledgeable caddies made it a fantastic experience. It’s not as pretty as Kingsbarns but it’s a better golf course and from that perspective should be rated more highly. Visit it if you can. Dundonald Links has only been open 5 years and I’ll certainly be back because as it matures it will just get better and better. |
|
|
| 15 May 2008
|
Reply
|
| Response: | | | Allan | 23 November 2008 | | It is a fantastic links layout which is very natural in feel. The greens are beautifully undulating and challenging, and your strategy on each hole is tested by the meandering burn that winds through the course. Kyle Phillips has truly performed a miracle with this design. The facilities and welcome are also first class! |
| | | A fantastic layout with wonderful staff. |
|
|
| 31 December 2007
|
Reply
|
| | It's definitely a challenge and a good addition to the great links golf courses of Ayrshire.
Obviously it's not as natural as the neighbouring Gailes courses, but give it time and it will mature into a winner. |
|
|
| 29 December 2007
|
Reply
|
| | Same designer as Kingsbarns, same flaws. Worse setting. Actually it's a tougher test than Kingsbarns, and has its moments, but the problems are the same. Over-sized, over sloped greens and a feeling that the whole place is manufactured. Which it is. The par threes are excellent, the bland 4th aside. The 10th and 16th are tough par fours, and the par fives aren't bad. But the over-riding feeling is of the artificiality of the place. The mounds detract from the place. I feel that when designing the course, the architects have been afraid of the admittedly ugly paper mill inland. But in blocking off views with these unnatural 'dunes' they have missed out on some potentially fine views over Western Gailes and out to sea. The lack of any raised tees also restricts the views of the holes themselves. Think of the 7th at Royal Troon, industrial buildings and the airport behind but what a hole! all because the tee has height. Actually, if you want to see what good design is, just go to Royal Troon. If you can't afford there, try any of the other courses, such as Western or Glasgow Gailes, that are better than here. |
|
|
| 18 July 2007
|
Reply
|
| Response: | | | G McLaughlane | 12 October 2009 | | Somewhat unfair criticism as you can see neither Western Gailes (apart from the clubhouse)nor the sea due to the Glasgow-Ayr railway line which intervenes on a high embankment for the full length of the course, totally blocking off the suggested views. | | | cc | 23 March 2010 | | The embankment is not along the whole course but only parallel with the 13th. And even here, if you stand on the mounds behind the tee or green you have the height to see over to the ocean. You get decent views fom the 12th, the only hole on the course where the artificial 'dunes' are missing from the sides of the hole, and where the golf is played over undulations rather than through them. |
| | If your driver is working well here you should score well. There is very little decision making required from the tee, it is driver pretty much all the way. With that in mind (and in spite of the fact that my driver was working and the scoring was good!) this course doesn't get into my top 50. I prefer to stand on a teebox and think about the best way to play the hole ahead. Simply, I prefer strategy and variety over pure 100% ‘Boom’ and other than an excellent set of Par 3s, from the tee the holes felt a bit samey with bulldozed earth banking down either side of the wide fairways.
Credit is warranted as the layout is clever and manages to keep the paperpulp factory pretty much out of the line of vision.. No mean feat for which some praise is deserved! But the course is a modern one and with the exception of a couple of original bunkers from an older Dundonald incarnation, this course feels like it has been built for the corporate (and possibly in time, for a professional tournament) market rather than as a classic links. On this stretch of coast and within a few miles, I can think of at least 5 courses I would rather play, but then perhaps there was never an intention to create a traditional links challenge. Why try and build a classic links in an area where nature has already produced some of the worlds finest!? Dundonald is a bit different, but it feels unnatural and at least as far as I am concerned, and there are many wonderful examples in the UK, a links needs to look and feel natural to the landscape. As yet, Dundonald does not but perhaps it will mature.
Loch Lomond has thrown some serious money at this course and the transformation is staggering with special mention for the drainage which at times during development was a real problem. But the bulldozer’s work is apparent and the manufactured undulations of the greens could be classified as tricked-up. The lack of pace was possibly intentional as an acceleration of Stimp could cause serious problems here for anyone! That said, I really enjoyed a game at Dundonald and it was a treat to experience the Loch Lomond service and hospitality which is absolutely faultless.
This was a fun round on a good golf course which was definitely worth playing, but if visiting the area, the rankings are probably about right. Good enough, but geography dictates that you will always compare Dundonald to its neighbours and right now this is not as good as Western Gailes, Barassie or Glasgow Gailes which are all within hitting distance. |
|
|
| 31 May 2007
|
Reply
|
| | Kyle Philips did a great job and probably moved a significant amount of earth in creating this course and making it as good as it is on a plot of land that wasn’t as well suited for a fine golf course as that of its famous neighbors. I think many of the sand dunes and mounds were made rather than found, although to Philips’ credit they give the appearance of being natural. In reading the history of Western Gailes I found a section that indicates that in the middle part of the last century there was a course on these premises called Dundonald, so this appears to be the third attempt to have a golf club here and the third time is the charm. I agree with the prior posters that the par threes are outstanding…interesting, tough, and different from one another. The 11th is postage stamp short with danger front and back and a steeply sloping green, while 15 is long (up to 215 yds) with deep bunkering in front and it played even longer with an elevated green and wind in my face. The temporary clubhouse is nicer than you would expect and the guys in the pro shop were very friendly, entertaining me until the end of a morning frost delay. |
|
|
| 08 April 2007
|
Reply
|
| | Was met at gate by smiley pleasent gent welcoming us to dundonald,this was only a start of what turned out to be a very special day in outstanding golf country,Haveing played many links courses from the new course to eyemouth and many in between we singled this out up there with the best of them,Course was in outstanding condition with true rolling greens and a spring still in the fairways even after the monsoon two days before we played ,Every hole is so individual with a touch of its own class .. I walked off the 18th green with a smile that nothing could have shifted ,i had just played a trully special course,from the first hole to the last every hole has been created with its own test of golf,bring all your clubs in the bag cause your going to need every one of them to tame this legend in the making. |
|
|
| 12 November 2006
|
Reply
|
| | I agree with a lot of what Jim has written on his GEM recommendation - on maturity all links lovers will love this course. When you play here, there is no mistaking the designer … with the enormous undulating greens, Kyle Phillips touch is so evident (similarities to Kingsbarns and The Grove are obvious, nothing wrong with that at all). The Loch Lomond service is pure pleasure – enjoy millionaires golf at Dundonald, right from the off (valet parking, pyramid of balls waiting at the range, soup after nine holes and shoe cleaning at the end). This good golf course will soon become very good – enjoyed the hole variety immensely. The 3rd is cracking par-5 and the 11th is a tough par-3 (very tough in the wind). |
|
|
| 15 April 2006
|
Reply
|
| | I can imagine that in three years or so this course will be awesome. At the moment you get a glimpse of how good it is going to be and it's obviously been built with an eye on getting a serious tournament here. The design does have a Kingsbarns feel to it but with none of the aethestic immediacy of that course. It's a tough course from any tee and I'd advice you to play from the yellow equivalent unless you're feeling particular on top of your game. Par threes are a standout - all were good and a couple were excellent. I'd love to come back and play it in a few years when it's properly finished but this course is certainly destined for a Top 100 place. |
|
|
| 11 April 2006
|
Reply
|
| | What a course! I had the pleasure of playing here last week (March 2006). It was the first high specification modern golf course I have played, and oh yes, I liked it! Make no mistakes, this course has been built to host tour events. Large banks either side of the fairways essentially make each hole private, and you can imagine how the crowds will line the tops of them. The pro allowed us to play off the gold tee’s, so we experienced all 7300 yards of the monster. I was way over my handicap (I play off 5), but loved every minute. A clever design that will be used in years to come. And I’ll be able to say “yep, I played off that same tee that Tiger Woods is now hitting off”. Though his approach shot will be somewhat shorter no doubt. |
|
|
| 31 March 2006
|
Reply
|
| | THIS IS A FANTASTIC NEW COURSE AND I THINK IT IS A BETTER LAY OUT THAN KINGSBARNS.TO ENJOY THE COURSE AT ITS BEST I RECOMMEND YOU PLAY OFF THE TEES THAT SUIT YOUR GAME AT 7300 YARDS OFF THE TIPS IT IS A MONSTER FOR MOST PLAYERS. THERE ARE 4 SETS OF TEES AND THEY ALL BRING THE HAZARDS INTO PLAY. I HAVE PLAYED A LOT OF GOOD COURSES THIS YEAR AND RATE DONDONALD WITH THE BEST OF THESE. |
|
|
| 09 November 2005
|
Reply
|
| | What a great addition to the more famous names along this cracking stretch of Scottish coastline. Dundonald is a monster, especially when the wind blows and with deep pot bunkers and many a burn, scoring can be tough. This is one of the most strategic links courses I’ve come across so you need your thinking cap on. Some brilliant holes, but the par 3s are the best and the 11th is a cracker. It’s only a flick at a little more than 100 yards but it’s hard to get your par here. It’s no wonder this hole is being compared alongside Royal Troon’s famous Postage Stamp. Quality through and through. |
|
|
| 03 November 2005
|
Reply
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
