Royal Dornoch Golf Club

The Struie is Royal Dornoch’s second eighteen-hole course, a par 71 of 6,205 yards or about 5,674 metres on the lower links between the town, Dornoch Burn and the Firth. Shorter than the Championship, it remains a genuine accuracy test with tighter fairways, smaller greens and several holes directly exposed to the estuary.

The Struie traces its roots to the twelve-hole ladies’ course opened on the lower ground in 1899. Parts of the area are connected with Dornoch’s early courses and the formative years of Donald Ross, who served as greenkeeper and professional before leaving for the United States. After repeated evolution, the present eighteen-hole routing opened in 1999. A symbolic centenary was celebrated in 2023, followed by substantial investment including a new coastal par three associated with Tom Mackenzie and Mackenzie & Ebert. The course occupies the lower level of Dornoch’s natural amphitheatre. It looks toward Dornoch Point, the Firth and the hills beyond, while the town and cathedral remain visible from several holes. Dornoch Burn winds through the routing and creates crossings and approach angles. The land is flatter than the Championship, yet small ripples, damp areas and crosswinds continually alter ball response.

Struie relies less on dramatic plateau greens than its famous neighbour and more on line precision and compact targets. Fairways tighten at driving distance, bunkers occupy preferred angles and several two-tier greens demand exact depth control. The new ninth faces south-east toward the Firth with an infinity-style green, adding a memorable coastal moment without losing the traditional character. The official card is 6,205 yards at par 71. The eighth is described as the longest hole across both Royal Dornoch courses, while the tenth runs beside the Firth. The inward half mixes reachable par fives according to wind, long par fours and compact par threes. Firm sandy sectors provide run, while ground close to the burn can be more receptive. Small greens increase the value of wedges and recovery play.

Visitors use Royal Dornoch’s full services, enhanced by the new clubhouse opened in 2025, with professional shop, caddies, hire equipment and combination tickets. Struie is normally easier to access for tee times and pace while retaining the conditioning and hospitality of the club. It gives a more local, everyday view of golf in Dornoch.

Play it to move beyond the idea of a secondary course. Struie tells the story of the lower links, early women’s golf and Royal Dornoch’s modern evolution. Firth exposure, compact targets and the burn create a different examination from the Championship. In wind it becomes a complete flight-control test and an essential Highland companion round. 18 holes; par 71; 6,205 yards or about 5,674 metres; roots in a twelve-hole ladies’ course opened 1899; present eighteen opened 1999; centenary marked in 2023; new coastal ninth introduced in 2025; views of Dornoch Point and the Firth.

Prestigious amateur championships, Highland events and Royal Dornoch club competitions — Centenary celebrated in 2023; recurring championship calendar Opened originally as a 12-hole ladies’ course in 1899; present 18 holes opened in 1999; new par-three ninth introduced in 2025