Discovering Dundonald

When you appear on the first tee at Dundonald, there is really only one word that springs to mind: ‘Links’. The Sandy turfed fairways are flanked by wispy dunes and unforgiving bracken. Brisk sea air, humped greens and, on our visit, rain. Battering rain. Head to toe in waterproofs, type of rain. Rain that pours so hard my dad decides his glasses are useless halfway down the first fairway’. A true links course.

Dundonald is a tournament track. there is no doubt. Its elegant design fluently shows it is intended to host championships. The Scottish open was played here in 2017 and, upon completion of the new clubhouse in 2021, I assume many more prestigious titles will be played here in years to come.

The first few holes are unassuming but testing. While not what some might call ‘picturesque’, there is an air of quality to how they play; that traditional links feel we have come to search for. Immaculate walkways meander through the swaying grass and onto barrelling fairways. My dad is playing a three wood into a gale force headwind for his second shot. “It’s a proper course this”, he nods as we brave the lashing rain and double, triple bogies. As a meticulous and seasoned professional, not swayed by niceties, refinements or luxurious clubhouses, approval from him is rare. Though Dundonald will also feature those perks soon enough.

  

  
Some of the latter holes at Dundonald reward you with spectacular views over the coastline and the neighbouring course, Western Gales. An elevated train track separates them - quirky. Western Gales is not the only revered course a club’s throw away from Dundonald, the legendary Royal Troon and Prestwick are both in the vicinity, making this beautiful but rugged stretch of coastline a golfing aficionado’s hotspot. A true test and authentic experience, I hope to return when the new clubhouse is complete, preferably under clear blue skies with the sun on my back. Even with the ‘porta cabin-esque’ clubhouse we experienced, the quality of the golf itself left us grinning, albeit rather soaked.

Words and photography by Ollie Allison