Royal Dornoch Review: What It's Really Like For A High Handicapper

Normal service resumes after a few weeks of summer holidays, and the lads have somehow managed to golf Scotland from top to bottom between them. The main event this week is Royal Dornoch, which both Colin and Ross played within days of each other, narrowly missing an actual meet-up but successfully completing a 550-mile wedge handover via the pro shop. Ross marked his 50th birthday with an early morning round, while Colin got the full experience playing a foursomes open with his brother Bruce. There's plenty of chat about that striking new clubhouse (part sandstone masterpiece, part Minecraft build, depending who you ask), the changing room lounge where folk watch The Open with their feet up, and the course itself, including Colin's heroic 8 on the par 3 second after a battle with a bunker taller than his head.

From there it's on to Golspie, where Colin reckons his high handicap eyes could barely tell the quality apart from its more famous neighbour, and where Ross survived a competition round so windy that a single figure player hit driver on a 150-yard par 3 and still came up short. Ross also drops a tease for a future episode: Brora might just be the best natural links course he's ever played. The pair are asking listeners for feedback this week too, so let them know whether these course reports are worth the airtime.

The improvement corner covers the borrowed Cleveland 58 degree wedge Colin has been putting through its paces in Glasgow, plus a brilliant one-handed chipping drill from coach Jonathan Yarwood that Ross swears by for curing the chipping heebie-jeebies. Ross also gives Colin's chipping video an honest critique, which is what friends are for. The show wraps with this week's open competition pick at Cathkin Braes, a James Braid design and the oldest course in Glasgow.

Episode Highlights

🟢 Colin's 8 on the par 3 second at Royal Dornoch, featuring a shanked tee shot, a bunker face higher than his head, and a chip out backwards

🟢 The new Royal Dornoch clubhouse debate: spectacular modern statement or a bit of Minecraft on the hill?

🟢 Ross calling Brora possibly the best natural links course he's ever played, teed up for a future episode

🟢 The Golspie gale: a low single figure player hitting driver on a 150-yard par 3 and still not reaching the green

🟢 The Jonathan Yarwood one-handed chipping drill that forces you to turn your body properly, and why Ross used it before every single chip at one point

Gear & Resources Mentioned

🟢 Royal Dornoch Golf Club: https://royaldornoch.com

🟢 Golspie Golf Club: https://www.golspiegolfclub.co.uk

🟢 Brora Golf Club: https://www.broragolfclub.co.uk

🟢 Cathkin Braes Golf Club: https://cathkinbraesgolfclub.co.uk

🟢 Jonathan Yarwood, golf coach behind the chipping drill: https://jonathanyarwood.com

🟢 No Laying Up, who stirred the pot over the Foxy signage at Dornoch: https://nolayingup.com

🟢 Cleveland RTX 58 degree wedge, the rusty loaner that made the 550-mile journey

🟢 Get in touch: hello@bothpar.com or @bothsidesofpar on Instagram

Weekly Competitions

Gents Individual Open at Cathkin Braes Golf Club, Rutherglen, Glasgow (between East Kilbride and Rutherglen, handy for the M74). Sunday 6th September 2026, individual strokeplay format, £25 per person. A James Braid design and the oldest golf course in Glasgow, always in great condition according to Colin, who has been playing it on and off for 35 years. Watch for the sharp left turn into the club entrance off the B road.

Chapter List

00:00 Intro and golfing Scotland top to bottom

02:25 Royal Dornoch and that new clubhouse

10:25 Playing the Championship course with brother Bruce

21:05 Favourite holes at Royal Dornoch

29:55 Golspie course report and a Brora tease

37:38 Listener feedback: do you like these course reports?

39:10 The 58 degree wedge and Jonathan Yarwood's chipping drill

46:47 Weekly open: Cathkin Braes