Golf Business News – Dumbarnie unveils redesigned 10th hole ahead of seasonal re-opening

Dumbarnie Links, Clive Clark’s critically acclaimed layout nestled on Fife’s south coast, has reopened for the 2025 season with changes to its 10th hole set to enhance the playing experience even further.

Despite only opening for play in 2020, Dumbarnie has enjoyed a dramatic rise in its short lifespan. Regarded as one of the world’s finest new links designs, Clark’s ‘modern masterpiece’ was recently ranked 37th in Golf Monthly’s Top 100 UK & Ireland list, a rise of three places since the magazine’s last ranking in 2023. 

But despite its growing reputation and the positive buzz following its opening five years ago, the decision was made last year to make changes to the testing 10th hole – a par-4, stroke index 1 that ranges in length from 356 to 524 yards – with a thoughtful eye on improving its playability for all levels of player.

Work on the new hole was completed over the winter and spring months, with the focus on the removal of a burn that crossed the fairway, and which sometimes came into play from both the tee and fairway approaches.

Feedback from guests relayed that for longer drivers of the ball who were carrying their tee shots 250-260 yards – with the prevailing wind behind them – balls were in danger of running into the burn after hitting a downslope on the fairway. With the burn blind from the tee box, it was considered unfair for better players who risked being penalised for driving the ball well.

Conversely, when playing into the wind, shorter hitters were left with a challenge to carry the burn with their second shot, again with their view of the hazard blocked out due to the changes in elevation from the fairway.

The burn was filled in under the watchful eye of course manager Grahame Taylor, whose team brought in over 300 tonnes of soil to complete the job, with the groundwork finishing in March. In a bid to complete the work before the season’s reopening, the land was subsequently shaped to make it blend seamlessly with the hole’s fairway. 

Dumbarnie General Manager, David Scott, said: “We are always listening to feedback because we truly value the views of the people who play Dumbarnie. There are probably some people questioning why we have made the change to the 10th hole, but we felt the burn created a slight negative where players should be encouraged to hit a driver. 

“We have had great feedback on the changes since we reopened recently. The burn was blind from the tee, and with the southwest prevailing wind behind you along with the undulating fairway, balls could take a bounce with their tee shots towards the burn and in truth, that is a little bit unfair. 

“By doing this – and also considering those who are not as long hitting against the wind – we are creating a fairer and ultimately a better experience for people who play Dumbarnie, and that really is our goal.”

Course Manager Grahame Taylor added: “It looks like the burn was never there and once the turf beds in more, no-one will ever know! The 10th is the toughest hole on the course and players want to be hitting drivers off the tee on a long par-4. But downwind you can find that burn and I felt like that wasn’t what we wanted from the hole. Last year we put signs up so that people playing it for the first time knew about the burn, but that wasn’t really the point. 

“Removing the burn has always been a talking point but we didn’t want to rush it, and we looked at the feedback, took that information on board and made the decision. To improve the experience for people playing Dumbarnie, it was the right decision and one we are very happy with. But be warned: it is still a great – and very challenging – hole that is very deserving of its stroke index one status.”