Dornick Hills Course
Ardmore, OK, USA
Dornick Hills, carved into the rolling, sandstone-laced hills of southern Oklahoma, is a testament to early 20th-century golf design. Perry Maxwell, known for his strategic bunkering and green complexes, originally sculpted the course from this rugged terrain in the 1920s, favoring a ground game that utilizes the natural contours and elevation changes. Fairways are generous, often demanding creative approaches to Maxwell's subtly contoured greens, a hallmark of his architectural genius. Though not a fixture on the professional tour circuit, Dornick Hills holds a special place in Oklahoma golfing lore. Legends swirl about the club's early years, stories often involving oil tycoons and high-stakes matches played amongst its esteemed members. Its relative isolation has fostered a tight-knit community, where golf is both a sport and a social glue. The spirit of friendly competition thrives. Casual rounds, club championships, and weekly games remain the heart of Dornick Hills. After the round, members often congregate to enjoy the clubhouse's famed fried chicken, a simple pleasure that has become as synonymous with the club as its undulating fairways.
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
Unranked
Best in USA
Unranked
Best in OK
All courses
Golfers say Dornick Hills delivers a pure, old-school Perry Maxwell experience with characteristically challenging greens that feature subtle breaks and reward precise second shots. Most praise the routing as fun and varied, with several unique holes—including a memorable blind uphill par 5—and green complexes that demand thoughtful approaches and create tricky up-and-downs. Reviewers note the course tests players in multiple ways while maintaining excellent conditioning, with greens rolling true and firm. The overall vibe is described as authentic and welcoming, with many calling it a must-play for architecture enthusiasts visiting small-town Oklahoma, though the layout includes some parallel holes and shared fairways.
7.9
37 players
Greens were rolling true and in good shape. Pretty open. Lots to parallel holes and at least 2 that shared a fairway. Interesting Par 5 on the back where you have to take it up about 20 feet to a blind green. Would definitely play again.
Great vibe! Super old school! Play if you have the opportunity !
Perry Duke Maxwell’s home is just such a fantastic place to go enjoy the pureness of a great architect. Dornick Hills is so much fun and tests you a bunch of different ways. Mostly a 2nd shot golf course where you have to hit good golf shots to give you an opportunity to make putts. The greens are typical Maxwell that give you subtle breaks and pushes you away from pins into tricky up and downs and 6-12 footers for par. Not sure you can have a bad day out at this property in small town Oklahoma. The father of Oklahoma golf was buried here and you can check out his little family cemetery that gives you some extra feels about how special and meaningful it is out there.
A true golfers course. If you love golf go to Dornick. An all around incredible experience, there may not be a bad hole on the golf course. The green complexes are true Perry Maxwell. My host described it as a poor man’s Southern Hills and that is a compliment. You can see a lot of Southern in it. The Doak remodel brought this course back to life and it is an absolute blast to play. Could not recommend any more if near Ardmore
Some really unique holes. The Maxwell greens are very challenging and make for some fun approach shots.
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FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Dornick Hills has a Course Vaults score of 7.9 out of 10 based on 24 explicit golfer ratings.
Dornick Hills was designed by Perry Maxwell.
Dornick Hills is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Dornick Hills is 70.
Dornick Hills plays 6,453 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Dornick Hills is 123.
