Dumbarnie Links on the south coast of Fife, Scotland, has reopened for the 2025 season with a redesigned tenth hole.

The course, designed by Clive Clark, is located on the Balcarres Estate around 12 miles south of St Andrews, and opened in 2020.

Work has been competed between winter 2024 and spring 2025 on the tenth hole, a par four that can be played from 356 to 524 yards. The focus of work was to fill in a burn that crossed the fairway.

The project came about following feedback from players that carried their tee shots 250 yards or more, with the prevailing wind behind them, as their balls would sometimes run into the burn, which was blind from the tee. And when playing into the wind, shorter hitters were left with a challenge of carrying the burn with their second shot, with their view of the hazard also blocked due to the changes in elevation from the fairway.

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

Course manager Grahame Taylor oversaw the project, with over 300 tonnes of soil brought in to complete the job.

“It looks like the burn was never there and once the turf beds in more, no one will ever know,” said Taylor. “The tenth is the toughest hole on the course and players want to be hitting drivers off the tee on a long par four. 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 – golf hole that is very deserving of its stroke-index-one status.”

Scott said: “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.”