Donald Steel Golf Courses

The Open Doctor

Donald Steel holds the unique position of being the only architect to have advised every course to appear on The Open rota.

He has travelled the world more than any other golf architect through 25 different countries, designing, modifiying and advising on more than 500 golf courses.

Donald Steel Facts


Name	Donald Maclennan Arklay Steel
Born	23 Aug, 1937
Nickname	The Open Doctor
Nationality	English

Best Donald Steel Golf Courses

free places for groups

Pestana Vila Sol Golf & Resort

Vilamoura

Rated 8.6 by 279 golfers

Bookable Online

Major Moments

Free Places for Groups

3 Nights, 2 Rounds

3 Nights Bed and Breakfast at Pestana Vila Sol Golf & Resort
2 Rounds at Vila Sol, Gramacho, Silves, Vale Da Pinta Course, Carvoeiro or Alto Golf & Country Club

Killarney Plaza Hotel

Killarney

Rated 9.0 by 41 golfers

1 Night, 2 Rounds

1 Night Bed and Breakfast at Killarney Plaza Hotel
1 Round at Killeen Course, Killarney
1 Round at Beaufort Golf Club

free places for groups

Forest of Arden

Warwickshire

Rated 8.4 by 1165 golfers

Bookable Online

Major Moments

Free Places for Groups

1 Night, 1 Round

1 Night Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club
1 Round at Aylesford Course

About Donald Steel

Donald Steel is one of the most prolific and successful golf course architects in recent times. Having grown up just outside of London, Steel learnt to play the game at the revered Denham Golf Club in Buckinghamshire.

Recognised as one of the best golf courses in the area, Steel's game began to flourish but it was clear that he had a strong talent for another ball game, cricket.

Steel's talents on the cricket pitch saw him reach great heights in the schoolboy game before heading off to Cambridge where his degree in Agriculture.

This led him to work for The Daily Telegraph via a university friend before beginning work with golf course architects Ken Cotton, Frank Pennink and Charles Lawrie.

Donald Steel's golf course designs are seen across the globe with his designs being enjoyed from the pine trees of Aroeira in Lisbon and Barseback in Sweden to the windswept links golf courses of Dooks Golf Club and Enniscrone Golf Club in Ireland.

Donald Steel Golf Courses in England

Donald Steel may be known for having travelled more than any other golf architect around the world but having grown up in England, just outside London, it is no wonder we find such a superb collection of courses attached to his name here.

From a re-design at Bovey Castle in Devon to the Palmerston Course at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire, Donald has crafted some stunning tracks around the country. In the countryside of Kent, you'll find Tudor Park and on the edges of the peak district, is Shrigley Hall - all perfect for a Staycation.

free places for groups

Delta Hotels by Marriott Breadsall Priory Country Club

Derbyshire

Rated 8.6 by 616 golfers

Bookable Online

Major Moments

Free Places for Groups

1 Night, 1 Round

1 Night Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at Breadsall Priory Marriott Hotel & Country Club
1 Round at Priory Course

free places for groups

Delta Hotels by Marriott Tudor Park Country Club

Kent

Rated 8.6 by 198 golfers

Bookable Online

Major Moments

Free Places for Groups

1 Night, 2 Rounds

1 Night Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at Tudor Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club
2 Rounds at Tudor Park Golf Course

Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa

Cheshire

Rated 8.2 by 666 golfers

Bookable Online

Major Moments

Time Limited

1 Night, Unlimited Rounds

1 Night Bed and Breakfast at Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa
Unlimited rounds at Premier Course and Championship Course

Bovey Castle

Devon

Rated 9.0 by 22 golfers

1 Night, 2 Rounds

1 Night Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at Bovey Castle
2 Rounds at Bovey Castle

free places for groups

Shrigley Hall Hotel

Cheshire

Rated 8.4 by 303 golfers

Bookable Online

Free Places for Groups

1 Night, 2 Rounds

1 Night Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at Shrigley Hall Hotel
2 Rounds at Shrigley Hall Golf Club

Donald Steel Golf Courses in Scotland, Wales & Ireland

This is where Donald Steel really got into his groove. First off, Royal Dornoch, a fantastic golf experience all round and Steel was the man behind their Struie Course which although not the main event, is an absolute must-play in the Scottish Highlands.

Next, we move down to Ayrshire where Steel created the Kintyre course at Turnberry which has since become the King Robert Bruce course after an update by Martin Ebert. Turnberry is one of YGT Rory's favourite golf resorts in the world.

Those heading to the Emerald Isle be sure to visit Enniscrone Golf Club ranked in the Top 20 Golf Courses in Ireland & a Top 100 Golf Course in the British Isles!

Craigielaw Golf Club & Lodge

East Lothians

Rated 8.6 by 97 golfers

1 Night, 2 Rounds

1 Night Bed and Breakfast at Craigielaw Golf Course & Lodge
1 Round at Craigielaw Golf Course
1 Round at Dunbar Golf Club

Castleknock Hotel & Country Club

Dublin

Rated 10.0 by 5 golfers

1 Night, 2 Rounds

1 Night Bed and Breakfast at Castleknock Hotel & Country Club
1 Round at Castleknock Country Club
1 Round at Luttrellstown Castle Golf Club

The Royal Golf Hotel Dornoch

Highlands & Inverness

Rated 9.0 by 14 golfers

1 Night, 2 Rounds

1 Night Bed and Breakfast at The Royal Golf Hotel Dornoch
1 Round at Struie Course, Royal Dornoch
1 Round at Golspie Golf Club

Castle Dargan Hotel, Golf & Spa

Sligo

Rated 9.6 by 5 golfers

1 Night, 2 Rounds

1 Night Bed and Breakfast at Castle Dargan Hotel, Golf & Spa
1 Round at Castle Dargan Golf Club
1 Round at Enniscrone Golf Club

Trump Turnberry Golf Resort 5*

Glasgow & Ayrshire

Rated 9.6 by 228 golfers

Bookable Online

Online Exclusive

2 Nights, Unlimited Rounds

2 Nights Bed and Breakfast at Trump Turnberry Golf Resort 5*
Unlimited rounds at King Robert The Bruce

Worldwide Donald Steel Golf Courses

Steel acquired many stunning plots of land on which to make his mark and this is particularly seen in his designs in Europe, with some destinations relatively unknown as golfing paradises including Paphos, Cyprus where you'll find the beautiful Minthis Golf Club.

If you're subscribed to Your Golf Travel's YouTube channel, you'll also have seen the gorgeous Amarilla Golf & Country Club in Tenerife, where the views and condition of golf course are second to none.