Championship Course at Royal Dornoch Golf Club
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Championship Course at Royal Dornoch Golf Club
Located in the Scottish Highlands town of Dornoch, the summer days are long at Royal Dornoch Golf Club. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Royal Dornoch - Championship Course
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Royal Dornoch - Championship Course
Donald Ross was born in Dornoch and brought what he learned at this course to the United States, where he designed approximately 400 golf courses. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Royal Dornoch D.C. - Championship Course - hole 2
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Royal Dornoch D.C. - Championship Course - hole 2
The par-4 second hole on the Championship Course at Royal Dornoch Golf Club is guarded by a row of traps beside the fairway. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Championship Course at Royal Dornoch Golf Club - gorse
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Championship Course at Royal Dornoch Golf Club - gorse
The ever-present gorse is something you'll want to avoid on the Championship Course at Royal Dornoch Golf Club. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Royal Dornoch GC in Scotland
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Royal Dornoch GC in Scotland
Royal Dornoch Golf Club was founded in 1877. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Royal Dornoch D.C. - Championship Course - hole 1
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Royal Dornoch D.C. - Championship Course - hole 1
The first hole on the Championship Course at Royal Dornoch Golf Club is a gentle par 4 that plays beside the town. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Royal Dornoch D.C. - Championship Course - hole 5
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Royal Dornoch D.C. - Championship Course - hole 5
The par-4 fifth hole on the Championship Course at Royal Dornoch Golf Club features one of the more treacherous green complexes. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Royal Dornoch D.C. - Championship Course - hole 6
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Royal Dornoch D.C. - Championship Course - hole 6
The sixth hole on the Championship Course at Royal Dornoch Golf Club is the famous "Whinny Brae," a short par 3. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Royal Dornoch D.C. - Championship Course - hole 7
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Royal Dornoch D.C. - Championship Course - hole 7
The seventh tee box on the Championship Course at Royal Dornoch Golf Club is the highest point on the golf course. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Royal Dornoch D.C. - Championship Course - hole 8
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Royal Dornoch D.C. - Championship Course - hole 8
The par-4 eighth hole on the Championship Course at Royal Dornoch Golf Club tumbles down toward the sea. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Royal Dornoch D.C. - Championship Course - hole 10
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Royal Dornoch D.C. - Championship Course - hole 10
The 10th hole on the Championship Course at Royal Dornoch Golf Club is a short and tricky par 3 surrounded by deep bunkers. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Royal Dornoch D.C. - Championship Course - hole 17
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Royal Dornoch D.C. - Championship Course - hole 17
The par-4 17th hole on the Championship Course at Royal Dornoch Golf Club heads downhill before it doglegs left and back up to an elevated and partially blind green. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
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Royal Dornoch Golf Club in the Scottish Highlands is one of Scotland's most historic and beloved links

Royal Dornoch Golf Club, founded in 1877, is one of Scotland's most historic and beloved links. This small beachside town in the Scottish Highlands has become a coveted destination for golfers all over the world. It's also home to one of the most famous club competitions, the Carnegie Shield, which has led to a thriving international membership.

Old Tom Morris had a large hand in the creation of Royal Dornoch. Morris arrived in 1886 and offered his expertise to the course. World War II led to the destruction of four holes, which were later recreated. New holes were developed as well. Many holes have raised and crowned greens heavily defended by small, deep pot bunkers. One of the most famous holes, however, is the bunkerless 14th, known as "Foxy."

The town of Dornoch was also the birthplace of Donald Ross, who worked at Dornoch as "keeper of the green" and later under the tutelage of Morris in St. Andrews before permanently moving to the United States, where he served as greenskeeper at the Pinehurst Resort and would design an estimated 400 golf courses in his lifetime.

Brandon Tucker is the Sr. Managing Editor for GolfPass and was the founding editor of Golf Advisor in 2014, he was the managing editor for Golf Channel Digital's Courses & Travel. To date, his golf travels have taken him to over two dozen countries and nearly 600 golf courses worldwide. While he's played some of the most prestigious courses in the world, Tucker's favorite way to play the game is on a great muni in under three hours. Follow Brandon on Twitter at @BrandonTucker and on Instagram at @btuck34.
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Royal Dornoch Golf Club in the Scottish Highlands is one of Scotland's most historic and beloved links