Royal Dornoch Golf Club says it now has members in most states in the USA as a new survey reveals increasing demand from US golfers to visit Scotland and Ireland.
Hard on the heels of a whistle stop trip to the USA for the club’s annual members’ dinner in New York and the PGA Show in Orlando, general manager Neil Hampton noted they act as an unofficial sales force promoting golf in the Scottish Highlands.
Royal Dornoch joined a Highland Golf Links team highlighting the region under a VisitScotland banner at the world’s biggest golf industry trade fair.
Neil and captain Gary Bethune joined representatives from Cabot Highlands, Nairn Golf Club and the Kingsmills Hotel Group in the Sunshine State.
“There was a real buzz and it was great meeting up with key contacts from across the United States to reinforce the message that the Highlands is a wonderful and welcoming place when it comes to golf tourism,” said Neil.
“Our own American-based members also do a fine job as ambassadors promoting Royal Dornoch and the Highlands in general.
“It’s remarkable to see a heat map showing how far and wide our members are spread in the USA. There is scarcely a state where we aren’t represented.
“These members are hugely supportive and proud to wear club clothing and bag tags. They fly the flag for Scotland, the Highlands and Royal Dornoch at every opportunity, encouraging friends and contacts to make the trip across the Atlantic.”
The 72nd PGA Show was hailed as the most successful since 2009, with more than 33,000 industry professionals from 94 countries and all 50 US states descending on Orlando.
Surveys have estimated that golf tourism injects more than £5 million annually to the Dornoch economy, with overseas visitors spending nearly £4 million at the golf club.
This income supports jobs in hospitality and retail as well as supporting the many trades who service, maintain and improve local accommodation.
Golfers also spend around £700,000 on caddies when they play the Championship Course.
“Golf is the main driver of the economy in Dornoch and the surrounding area, but we believe there is scope for further growth which would be advantageous to the wider Highlands area,” said Neil.
He said Royal Dornoch was supportive of plans for the new Coul Links course proposed near Embo.
“We are in favour of a development which would further enhance the reputation of the Highlands as a must-visit and must-stay destination.
“World famous courses like Royal Dornoch, Nairn and Cabot Highlands at Inverness – which has invested heavily in the eagerly awaited Old Petty Course – already act as a magnet for visitors, who are encouraged to play other lesser known but hugely enjoyable courses in the area.
“We see the Highlands as second only to Fife as a golfing destination in Scotland.
“We will be welcoming the Curtis Cup in 2028 and I’m sure the new clubhouse currently taking shape here, along with investment in local hotel accommodation, has helped bring it to the Highlands.”
This comes as a new study by Buffalo Groupe indicates a significant increase in economic optimism among US golfers, leading to a rise in golf travel plans and spending.
“The surge in golf travel confidence and spending is a clear indicator of the industry’s robust recovery and sustained growth,” said Buffalo Groupe CEO Kyle Ragsdale.
More than four in five US golfers feel optimistic about the economy, a significant increase from only 56 percent in 2023, with 44 percent of golfers planning to spend more on golf travel in 2025. The top two preferred international destinations were Scotland and Ireland.
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