Enchanting links: Royal Dornoch Golf Club in the Scottish Highlands
DORNOCH, Scotland -- Royal Dornoch Golf Club was officially established in 1877, making it the third-oldest golf course in the world, but golf has been played at the site as far back as the 17th century.
Its location on the northeastern coast of Scotland can be a challenge to reach, even though it's only about 40 minutes from Inverness, but golfers from all over the world still come to play this classic Old Tom Morris layout.
The course's isolation makes it less of a contender for hosting major tournaments, but it makes the rugged landscape seem all the more wild and natural.
The well known 14th hole, a bunkerless par 4 that is the layout's unofficial signature, has even been deemed "the most natural hole in golf."
The course is a straightforward out-and-back layout that offers a round of true links golf, but where it gets really interesting is with the greens, which are built on natural raised plateaus that make approaches especially challenging. They are also flanked with small, deep pot bunkers.
Donald Ross, who was born in the town and served as the head green-keeper for several years, developed his trademark raised domed greens on this course.
In addition to the Championship Course, Royal Dornoch is also home to the next-door, shorter Struie Course.