Royal Dornoch unveils new seventh hole

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Former Open champion Paul Lawrie has officially opened the new seventh hole on the Championship Course at Royal Dornoch.

While the par four hole, known as ‘Pier’, has been in play since the end of last year, the pandemic put paid to Royal Dornoch officially unveiling the hole until this autumn.

In further enhancing the championship test over the links, the new hole – which measures 485 yards from the blue tees – has been pivoted to the right so the sea is in view for the entire length of the hole.

It also features a green with only the sea and sky beyond it, a replica of the previous one. The work was first proposed after a course review in 2013 and approved by the club in 2015.

Lawrie, who made birdie on his first playing of the hole, said: “It’s a really, really nice golf hole and they have done a great job with it.

Royal Dornoch 7th par 4 – new hole – Dornoch, Sutherland, Scotland.

“The old hole was further left, so it’s gone further right with better views of the sea, which is beautiful. It is similar kind of length, there are two nice bunkers down the left-hand side which are in play and there is a nice little false front at the start of the green. It’s brilliant. Royal Dornoch is one of the best courses in the country – it always has been and always will be. I always love playing golf here.”