Just outside the charming Fife village of Upper Largo, approximately 12 miles south of St. Andrews, lies one of Scotland’s most exciting new golf courses—Dumbarnie Links. Tucked away below the roadside and partially hidden by a terrace of fir trees, this modern links masterpiece offers a fresh yet authentic take on traditional Scottish links golf. If you’re visiting the area, this course deserves a place on your itinerary.
A Modern Classic in a Historic Golfing Region
Set across 345 acres of prime coastal land, Dumbarnie Links is the latest addition to Fife’s prestigious golfing landscape. With the Firth of Forth as its stunning backdrop, this course stretches from 5,300 to 7,600 yards, offering multiple tee options to suit golfers of all skill levels.
Designed by Clive Clark, a celebrated architect with over 35 golf course designs across Europe and the USA, Dumbarnie seamlessly blends the visual drama of elevated tees, strategic bunkering, and undulating fairways. Though it plays and feels like classic links, the course is actually a masterfully engineered creation, sculpted using 500,000 cubic tonnes of earth and sand to craft a layout that looks as if it has existed for centuries.
A Course Built to Challenge and Excite
From the elevated first tee, you immediately get a panoramic view of the layout ahead—an expanse of rolling dunes, fescue-lined fairways, and carefully placed bunkers. At first glance, it appears to be pure, traditional links, but the more discerning golfer will recognize the uniformity of the dunes, revealing its expertly crafted origins.
As always, it is vital to choose the set of tees that suit your game. At Dumbarnie there are five tees to choose from and the yardages range from 5296 yards to the tournament tees at 7600 yards. We chose to play from the blue tees at 6421 yards. The starter, George, provided us with a brief history of the course’s construction and offered some helpful advice before sending us on our way.
Dumbarnie is a course that rewards strategic thinking over sheer power. Featuring three short par-4s—the 3rd, 11th, and 17th—it presents tantalizing risk-reward opportunities. Do you take the aggressive “Tiger line” and go for the green, or opt for the safer route? Every hole demands careful club selection and thoughtful shot-making, making it a refreshing and engaging test.
The Front Nine
There are many striking and challenging holes on the front nine. We have chosen to feature the 3rd, 4th and 6th holes.
The 3rd hole
This is a classic risk-reward hole. Playing only 311 yards, you can go for the green over the big bunker on the left but only if you think you can carry the bunker. Otherwise lay up between the right bunker and the bunker to the right of the green. This will leave a short pitch into the putting surface. This hole is a great chance of a birdie.
The approach to the 4th green
The 4th hole plays 359 yards and you must find the fairway to go for the green. The best strategy is to lay up short of the bunkers. Do this and you will have a straightforward shot into the large green.
Beautiful Par 3’s
The beautiful 6th hole
Both the 6th and 8th holes, the par 3’s on the front nine are cracking holes. The 6th plays 165 yards and depending on the wind can be anything from an 8 iron to a 3 hybrid. The green is a large target so even if you hit the green you are not guaranteed a par.
The Back Nine
We have chosen to feature the run of holes from the 15th to the 17th on the back nine. The 15th, a long par 5, the 16th, a tough par 3 and the 17th, a risk-reward par 4 on the back nine.
The long 15th hole
At 545 yards, the 15th is the longest hole from the blue tees. The longer hitters may consider trying to hit it over the corner of the dogleg hole however for us it was a three-shot hole. Plot your way up this hole and you may still make birdie. Keep it on the fairway and you will make a straightforward par.
Another Wonderful Par 3
The 16th hole
At 185 yards, the last par 3 is another stunner. The hole is not too difficult for the pin placement in the photo above however when we played it, the pin was on the top tier, on the right just left of the front bunker. Don’t go long and through the green and into those back bunkers as it’s a tough up and down. Play this hole conservatively for the best chance of making a par.
The 17th hole
Standing on the 17th tee, you have a choice to make. Do you go for the green up the right side or play safe up the left where the fairway is? It all depends on how far you can carry the ball. On a direct line to the green, it’s probably about 250 yards but it is uphill. Play it the conventional way and the hole measures 311 yards. We chose to go for the green and made it over onto the upslope just short of the putting surface. We would like to tell you that we made a birdie, but we didn’t.
In Our Opinion
The tees, fairways, approaches, and greens were all in exceptional condition during our visit. The bunkering is both visually stunning and strategically placed, with 143 bunkers carefully framing many of the holes. As expected, the sand quality was superb, and yes—we made sure to “test” a few of them firsthand.
Being a relatively new course, the rough remains somewhat forgiving in places, though it will inevitably grow more penal as the course matures. This evolution will only add to the challenge and character of Dumbarnie in the years to come.
The Clubhouse
The clubhouse bar
The clubhouse at Dumbarnie Links is a stunning, modern facility designed to complement the world-class golfing experience on offer. Perched on elevated ground, it provides spectacular panoramic views across the course and the Firth of Forth, creating the perfect setting to relax before or after a round. Inside, the clubhouse combines contemporary elegance with traditional Scottish warmth, featuring a spacious lounge, an inviting bar, and a high-quality restaurant serving locally sourced cuisine.
The sitting area by the fire
The locker rooms and pro shop are impeccably maintained, offering everything a golfer might need. Whether you’re enjoying a post-round dram, analyzing your game, or simply soaking in the breathtaking scenery, the Dumbarnie Links clubhouse delivers a first-class experience worthy of its remarkable course.
A Wonderful Links Experience
One of the standout features of Dumbarnie Links is its hole routing. Unlike many traditional Scottish links courses, which often follow a classic out-and-back layout, Dumbarnie ensures that every hole plays in a different direction. This means that when the wind picks up—a common occurrence in Fife—you’ll need to constantly adapt your shot-making and club selection. This ever-changing challenge adds to the course’s character and appeal, keeping even the most seasoned links golfer on their toes.
Dumbarnie Links may be the new kid on the block, but it is already establishing itself as a must-play course in Scotland. While it faces stiff competition from the historic giants of Fife—including St. Andrews, Crail Golfing Society, Kingsbarns, and Leven Links—it offers a fresh and exciting alternative in an area blessed with nearly 50 world-class courses.
We extend our thanks to David Scott, General Manager, and his team for their hospitality during our visit. Thank you also for allowing us to use your course photography. Dumbarnie Links is a course with a bright future, and we highly recommend adding it to your Scottish golf itinerary.
At a Glance:
- Location: 12 miles south of St. Andrews, 40 miles northeast of Edinburgh
- Tee options: Ranging from 5,300 yards to 7,600 yards
- Excellent practice facilities
- Modern clubhouse with a large proshop
- Course Designer: Clive Clark (35 courses designed across Europe & USA)
- Website: www.dumbarnielinks.com
For those seeking a modern links experience with breathtaking coastal views, strategic shot-making, and world-class conditions, Dumbarnie Links is a destination worth discovering.
Jim Callaghan CCM is a former Club Manager with experience overseeing several top Scottish clubs.
Now, as European Editor of Golf Operator Magazine and World’s Best Golf Destinations, he shares insights into club operations and his golfing adventures across Europe.
If you would like to reach over 400,000 golfers who love to travel, contact Jim at [email protected] or call on 0044 (0) 78522 88732.
Featured Post
0
