‘There are plenty of elevated tees... which created some spectacular moments’ ‘Every hole was unique thanks to the differing design of the greens’
You can’t fault the course, and it’s only going to get harder and better when the gorse starts to thicken. The more sparse, forgiving set-up certainly favoured my game; there will be many balls sacrificed in the future!
There are plenty of elevated tees, which created some spectacular moments when it felt like you were blasting drives out to sea – brilliant fun! The greens were flawless; firm and fast and demanding specific approach shots to avoid leaving a tough putt. Every hole is a challenge and the variety is accentuated by the wind. You can play a 180-yard par 3 with a pitching wedge or a driver, so it’s as difficult as the weather dictates.
For me, the only downside was that the range was a wee bit churned up, but in fairness we were playing in the afternoon after a full day’s traffic. But there’s all the balls you need for a proper warm-up, with a decent short game area and putting green.
Off-course, I loved the Dumbarnie-branded lager and IPA with the message on the can saying ‘This might help steady the nerves standing over a tricky four footer’. The menu is limited at the moment, but the friendly staff made the atmosphere really relaxed. With the clubhouse in the making, I was surprised there wasn’t more glass at the front to maximise the cracking views, though I’m sure it will be a top drawer clubhouse when it’s built.
I’m quite happy I’m Scottish as there’s a special deal of £115 for Scots and £94 for Fife residents. But you’re going to pay a premium for golf in these parts and this course is going to be known as a prime destination very soon.
Wow! Dumbarnie blew me away… you would think the course has been there for decades. It looks ridiculously mature and established for a fresh, brand new course. I was particularly impressed with the positioning of the tees… varied and visually stunning. Every hole was unique thanks to the differing design of the greens, some severely undulating, others two-tier. I even liked that the grass between the green and next tee seemed to naturally lead you along – while the par 3s brought different challenges, thanks to the conditions and elements. Short par 3s could be any club depending on the wind. I also liked the fact that everything was set up in a nice triangle – at one point you have the range, next it’s the chipping area and finally the practice green, which is a 10-second walk to the first tee.
But what probably impressed me more than anything was that there was no repetition; every hole feels completely different and has its own characteristics. That’s a sign of a special layout.
Off the course, the staff coped very well in such trying circumstances. The burgers were great and it was good to see you had the option of hot and cold drinks halfway around the course. It looks like they’re building a spectacular contemporary version of a barn clubhouse and I can’t wait to see it when it’s done. I’d be willing to pay the £115 to play it again, though I’ll wait until the clubhouse is built because I want to enjoy the full experience. It’s a breathtaking spot – it felt like going on holiday for the day.