The new St Andrews golf course that should be on every player’s next trip to the Home of Golf
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he thoughtful Clive Clark design at Dumbarnie offers breathtaking views and is complemented by a customer experience that’s second to none. Fife is home to some of the world’s finest links courses and the most recent in the line-up, Dumbarnie Links, adds a sparkling jewel to the Kingdom’s glittering golfing crown. The course, which opened for play in 2000, is a must-play venue for golfing
visitors to Fife. Just 20 minutes from St Andrews, the facility offers an exceptional visitor experience both on and off the course.
In just five years, Dumbarnie has earned a reputation as one of the finest, most striking golf courses in the British Isles and most enjoyable golf courses in the British Isles, exemplified by recent industry Awards suchas ‘Golf Course of the Year/Western Europe’ and for three years winner of ‘Best Scottish Golfing experience’. Through a successful 2025 season, Dumbarnie has once again given golfers from all over the world an experience to remember. Former Ryder Cup player Clive Clark, a renowned course architect with 33 courses to his credit, was responsible for the inventive and appealing design of the course at Dumbarnie Links.
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“I wanted to design a traditional style links course with a modern twist. The twist is the risk and reward elements in the golf course,” says Clark. Driveable par-4s like the 3rd and brilliant 17th, bisected by a stone dyke, offer that risk and reward option. And there are further holes like the par-4 5th and par-5 15th where the player can choose to go for the narrow, shorter route or pick a safer longer track.
“Pars go down the left, birdies and double bogeys go down the right on 15,” says caddie and former professional juggler Donald Grant.
A key thing that makes the visitor experience so memorable at Dumbarnie is
the quality and enthusiasm of the exceptional team. They all work with a smile on
their faces.
DUMBARNIE LINKS
The team is headed by general manager David Scott – a hugely respected PGA professional who is also captain of the PGA in 2025 and was recently named honorary professional of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. David is proud of what has been achieved at Dumbarnie and of the team who ensure the place runs like a well-oiled machine.
“I had a blank piece of paper at the outset and was able to build a team that I really appreciate and trust,” David says. “Of the five heads of department, four are the original team members. I just love letting them fly, doing their own thing.”
David has assembled an elite squad. Head Superintendent Grahame Taylor previously looked after The Old Course, and he continues to advance the course at Dumbarnie. The venue does not rest on its laurels. There were improvements to the 10th hole last winter and feedback has been hugely positive.
Set across an exceptional swathe of links land, it was former Golf Monthly editor Malcolm Campbell who drew his friend Clark’s attention to the opportunity at Dumbarnie. “I always wanted to design a links course,” says Clark. “When Malcolm first mentioned this stretch of ground, and I saw it, my mouth watered!” Although the layout looks like it’s been there for 100 years, significant work was done to create levels and to shape the varied and exciting holes.
It’s testament to Clark’s skilful design that no earth was brought onto or removed from the site. All the shaping was done with the earth in situ. The changes in elevation throughout the course allow for stunning views across the Firth of Forth towards Muirfield, North Berwick and Edinburgh. There are huge vistas to take in, and every hole offers a new aspect. From the tee on the beautiful, downhill par-3 8th, you look out at 200 square miles of water. Each hole is separate, and inspires the feeling of being virtually the only fourball out on the course That was one of Clark’s design objectives. Also, he wished to create a links with a contemporary edge.
Continuing the theme of enjoyment at Dumbarnie, facilities at the venue are excellent, with a large putting green and all-turf practice ground sitting just outside the perfectly formed clubhouse. Designed to echo the historic farm buildings found elsewhere on the Balcarres Estate, it’s a wonderfully subtle design making use of local stone.
Chris Skinner, once of the Old Course Hotel, is head chef in the Old Barn restaurant and the Wee Barn out on the course. He and his team deliver a brilliant menu showcasing the best fresh, local ingredients. The fish and chips in Dumbarnie’s own lager batter is delicious. “Fife on a plate!” is how Chris describes it.
There may not be members but, from the moment they choose to visit Dumbarnie, guests are made to feel like members. The level of customer care is brilliant. Visitors move seamlessly from welcome, through the clubhouse and retail, to find their clubs and caddies and practice facilities waiting.
By the time they’ve played the captivating Clive Clark course and enjoyed a
hearty meal in the comfortable clubhouse, it’s inevitable the feedback is consistently five stars.
The modern design and risk-reward nature of the layout makes it a superb contrast to the older St Andrews courses, yet it retains that links feel. It’s the perfect blend.
Dumbarnie Links truly is a jewel in Fife golf's crown and is rightly established
as a must-visit for all golfers coming to the Kingdom!
The risk and reward 17th hole
Clive Clark, course designer
Par-3 14th hole
David Scott, General Manager
18th green and Clubhouse
Guests enjoying a wee
dram of whiskey on 1st tee
ince its inception, Performance Golf has helped more than 300,000 golfers transform their game, and has solidified itself as the fast-growing online golf instruction company out there. It owes much of its success to the large offering of online golf lessons from some of the world's most prestigious names in golf, such as Hank Haney, Sir Nick Faldo, David Leadbetter, Martin Chuck, Nick Bradley, and many more.
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he thoughtful Clive Clark design at Dumbarnie offers breathtaking views and is complemented by a customer experience that’s second to none. Fife is home to some of the world’s finest
Set across an exceptional swathe of links land, it was former Golf Monthly editor Malcolm Campbell who drew his friend Clark’s attention to the opportunity at Dumbarnie. “I always wanted to design a links course,” says Clark. “When Malcolm first mentioned this stretch of ground, and I saw it, my mouth watered!” Although the layout looks like it’s been there for 100 years, significant work was done to create levels and to shape the varied and exciting holes.
It’s testament to Clark’s skilful design that no earth was brought onto or removed from the site. All the shaping was done with the earth in situ. The changes in elevation throughout the course allow for stunning views across the Firth of Forth towards Muirfield, North Berwick and Edinburgh. There are huge vistas to take in, and every hole offers a new aspect. From the tee on the beautiful, downhill par-3 8th, you look out at 200 square miles of water. Each hole is separate, and inspires the feeling of being virtually the only fourball out on the course That was one of Clark’s design objectives. Also, he wished to create a links with a contemporary edge.
The risk and reward 17th hole
The risk and reward 17th hole
The team is headed by general manager David Scott – a hugely respected PGA professional who is also captain of the PGA in 2025 and was recently named honorary professional of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. David is proud of what has been achieved at Dumbarnie and of the team who ensure the place runs like a well-oiled machine.
“I had a blank piece of paper at the outset and was able to build a team that I really appreciate and trust,” David says. “Of the five heads of department, four are the original team members. I just love letting them fly, doing their own thing.”
David has assembled an elite squad. Head Superintendent Grahame Taylor previously looked after The Old Course, and he continues to advance the course at Dumbarnie. The venue does not rest on its laurels. There were improvements to the 10th hole last winter and feedback has been hugely positive.
Clive Clark, course designer
To find out more, visit
dumbarnielinks.com
