Clive Clark’s acclaimed layout sits on Fife’s south coast, Dumbarnie Links reopened in the 2025 season, with its 10th hole change being a change that further enhances the game experience.
Although it only opened in 2020, Dumbarnie's life span has risen sharply. Clark's “Modern Masterpiece” is regarded as one of the best new link designs in the world, and has recently ranked No. 37 golf per month Since the last magazine ranking in 2023, the UK and Ireland have ranked in the top 100, which is the rise in three positions.
But despite its growing reputation after opening five years ago, the decision to test the 10th hole (a PAR-4, stroke index 1) last year was made, with lengths ranging from 356 to 524 yards – with a thoughtful look at improving playability for players of all levels.
During the winter and spring months, the work on the new hole is completed, with the focus on removing the burns that cross the fairway, sometimes approaching from the TEE and fairways.
Feedback from guests shows that for longer ball drivers, their tees are 250-260 yards (with windy winds behind them), and the ball is at risk of hitting a burn after hitting downhill on the fairway. This is considered unfair to those better players who are punished for driving the ball, thanks to Tee Box's Burn Blind.
Instead, when the wind is kicked, the shorter batsman faces a challenge to burn with a second shot, which is again blocked by the dangerous sight, which is blocked by the elevation of the fairway.
The burn was filled with the attention of his course manager Graham Taylor, whose team brought 300 tons of soil to get the job done while the foundation work was completed in March. To complete the work before reopening this season, the land is then seamlessly blended with the fairways of the hole.
“We are always listening to feedback because we really value the views of the people who play Dumbarnie. Some may question why we were changing the 10th hole, but we felt that the burning caused a slight negative and players should be encouraged to hit the driver.
“We have had a lot of feedback on the change since we reopened. Burns are blind to the T-shirts, and with the southwest winds and choppy fairways, the ball burns with Tee shots, towards the burn, which is actually a little unfair.
“Doing this – also considering people who hit the wind for less long – we create a fairer experience for people who play Dumbarnie, which is really our goal.”
Course Manager Graham Taylor added: “It looks like the burn is never there, no one knows it again, never knows it again! Tenth is the toughest hole in the course, players want to hit the tee in a long 4-4 shot. But, at a disadvantage, I can find that burn, I think we wanted to know that it wasn't known last year.
“Removing burns has always been a topic, but we didn't want to rush to catch up with it, we looked at the feedback, brought this information to the boat and made a decision. To improve the experience of the people who played Dumbarnie, it was the right decision and we were very satisfied. But the warning: it was still a great – very challenging – very challenging – it was very challenging – it was very challenging – it was very challenging – it was very challenging its index Index Index Index Index Index One Encex on State Enex on State Enex oneex one Enex One Enex One Enece'''''.
