Cupar Airport Transfers, Owned by Darwin Escapes, heavy investment in a new clubhouse and on-site accommodation has raised the game at Dundonald Links to a whole new level. Luxury lodges ring the golf course and make for a first-class resort experience.
Originally known as Southern Gailes this modern links was created by Kyle Phillips in 2003 on what was initially flat land. The shaping of the sandhills and dunes means that it now appears as though nature has always been here.
The Course
The course is a pure, modern links course with plenty of character and variety. It was designed by Kyle Phillips who also has Kingsbarns in Fife and The Grove in Hertfordshire on his CV. He has done a fantastic job in transforming what was once flat farmland into a golf course that looks like it has been there for decades. With sandhills that roll through the fairways, hidden bunkers, and burns running across and parallel to holes it is very challenging. You need to use all of your clubs here and precision off the tee is a must.
There are a mix of short and long par 4s, as well as 3 and 5 shot par 5s. The opening holes give a good indication of what is to come, with the 2nd hole needing a combination of both power and accuracy off the tee to reach the green. The 3rd is another test with a par-5 that can play as long as it does from the back tees thanks to a burn that runs up the right hand side of the hole and then crosses over just in front of the green.
A good scoring opportunity presents itself on the 12th with the shortest par four at Dundonald Links. A short iron from the tee to a wide but flat green means birdie opportunities are available, but don’t let this distract you from the fact that this is still a tough hole.
Cupar Airport Transfers
There is a lot to enjoy about the course, but what really stands out is the quality of the greens and the condition they are kept in throughout the year. They are some of the best we have played on and the pace they roll at makes them a joy to putt on.
It isn’t difficult to see why this modern Ayrshire gem has commanded such respect in such a short space of time. It is a great test of your game and is situated next to some very famous neighbours, Royal Troon, Prestwick and Turnberry. We are thrilled to be able to offer this fine course as part of our luxury Scotland golf packages.
The Clubhouse
Golfers who visit Dundonald Links will find a brand new clubhouse that’s sure to be a hit with visitors and locals alike. Located close to some of the world’s best courses, including Turnberry, Royal Troon and Prestwick, it’s quickly becoming a top choice for visitors who want to stay and play in Ayrshire.
With a reputation for outstanding service and great prices, this place has earned a Google rating of 4.7. The Canny Crow restaurant is open to non-golfers as well and is the perfect spot for a mouthwatering meal after a round. From the restaurant, guests can enjoy amazing views of the course and practice greens as well as the Firth of Clyde.
Designed by Kyle Phillips (who also created the acclaimed Kingsbarns course near St Andrews), the modern links layout is a true test of any golfer. Wide fairways cut through confidence-inspiring man-made dunes only to tighten around the approach, and there are plenty of pot bunkers to contend with too. The burns – Scottish golf terms for streams – also add to the difficulty as they weave through or run parallel to many holes, meaning precision off the tee is a must.
Cupar to Edinburgh Airport
The par 3s are particularly challenging, too. At the sixth, for example, a mid-iron will get you to within range of the front pin, but the bunkers and the burn mean you’ll need to be on your game to make a birdie here.
Those looking for a golfing experience that’s more luxurious than usual will be pleased to learn that the clubhouse offers five executive suites. These beautiful rooms feature cedar cladding, sloping roofs and large windows to allow you to soak up the stunning natural surroundings. Each room is fully equipped and furnished with everything you need to feel right at home, including a mini bar, TV, DVD player, Wi-Fi access and tea/coffee making facilities.
There’s even a balcony that overlooks the 18th green and fairway. In addition to the cosy rooms, the clubhouse also has extensive changing and dining facilities, as well as a whisky tasting room with an impressive collection that includes a Bunnahabhain 1980 Canasta Cask Finish.
The Accommodation
It didn’t take long for the world to sit up and take notice of Dundonald Links when it opened back in 2008. And while it may have a more understated reputation than some of the bigger names on this stretch of Ayrshire coastline, this Kyle Phillips designed course is still a tremendous challenge for golfers of all levels.
The layout has a great deal of variety and, even from the medal tees, it’s not for the faint-hearted. The fairways are generous, yet it is difficult to keep the ball on them given the penal rough and pot bunkers that are scattered throughout. The green complexes are huge and the putting surfaces often feature sweeping slopes, swales and shelves to create a true test of shot making.
After a round at Dundonald Links, the clubhouse is the perfect place to recharge. It has a wide range of food and drinks available to suit every taste, from breakfast to dinner and everything in between. The bar is a real highlight of the building, showcasing the fantastic whisky collection that has been curated by the team.
Edinburgh Airport to Cupar
When it comes to staying onsite, there are 22 hotel rooms and luxury lodges to choose from, all just a stone’s throw from the new clubhouse that replaced the original portakabin structure. The lodges have been custom-designed with golfers in mind and offer a first-class resort experience. They all have private bedrooms, golf equipment storage and fully-fitted kitchens. They are also clustered around a practice putting green, so you can hone your skills in between rounds on the course.
The team at Dundonald Links is working hard to elevate this venue to the status it deserves. They have already made major investments, including an extensive upgrade to the course with Kyle Phillips and a superb new clubhouse and accommodation. It is now the ideal base from which to explore all the other great courses in Ayrshire, with Royal Troon, Prestwick and Western Gailes all within a fifteen-minute drive. It’s a golfing destination well worth adding to your bucket list.
The Practice Area
Dundonald Links offers the chance to test your mettle at a course that can be as challenging as you choose to make it. Previously known as Southern Gailes before being purchased by Loch Lomond Golf Club to provide its members with a modern links challenge, the Kyle Phillips design can be a stern test of your game especially from the championship tees. Having hosted the 2017 Scottish Open, where Rafa Cabrera Bello won in a playoff, Dundonald is already a destination for serious players and those who seek an unforgettable experience.
It might not have the ocean views of nearby Royal Troon and Turnberry or the sweeping elevation changes of its neighboring Western Gailes but it makes up for it with one solid hole after another. The prevailing wind and the lack of rough at Dundonald means you’ll need to hit the ball clean in order to score well here.
Airport transfers Cupar
The best par four at Dundonald is the 12th which is both the shortest hole on the course and arguably the most scenic with the Firth of Clyde forming the backdrop. Bombing it up the left side of the fairway will shorten the hole and set you up for a shot at birdie but playing safe is an option too with plenty of room in front of the green.
While much of the land at Dundonald is flat it has been used to its advantage with some impressive earth moving work sculpting and shaping the course. This was done with the intention of providing a natural test but still maintaining a sense of playability.
Unlike many courses in Scotland, Dundonald Links doesn’t have much rough on the fairways which allows you to play a more strategic game than you might expect. The large greens are impressive too with sizeable undulations and a lot of surface to cover when putting. Pin placements will significantly alter the level of difficulty at Dundonald so it’s always a good idea to pay attention to them. This makes the course suitable for all handicap levels but it will require a good mix of power and precision to score well here.
