Golfmagic plays Dundonald Links
Our very own Michael Smyth tees up on the Ayrshire beauty
It’s no secret that the Kingdom of Golf, or Scotland as it’s most commonly called, is about as good a golf destination as you will find.
The west coast of Scotland is famous for its Ayrshire strip of championship golf such as Royal Troon, Prestwck and Turnberry but Dundonald Links sits right up there as one of the best.
Located just 10 minutes from Prestwick Airport and half an hour from Glasgow, Dundonald Links is perfectly situated in the heart of this golfing heaven.
Opened in 2003, revered course architect Kyle Phillips designed a modern day classic links that offers challenges and enjoyment in equal measure.
Although it is of a recent design by golfing standards, the course looks and feels like it had been in play for hundreds of years.
Little did I know after my round that this was his goal after all.
“I want to create championship Ayrshire links that felt and played as though it was an old, rediscovered course,” traditionalist Phillips once said, also of Kingsbarns and The Grove fame.
Phillips apparently moved some earth around while constructing Dundonald Links but only where it was necessary to enhance the existing contours. The result is a thoroughly natural test of golf, one that is comparable to nearby Royal Troon and Turnberry, but with a character all of its own.