The Courses of Dumfries and Galloway, their location and my honest opinion.
Here’s my guide to the golf courses that you should play when you visit Dumfries and Galloway, I’d obviously love you to come and stay in Kirkcudbright at The Best Western Selkirk Arms but it’s not conditional to commenting and browsing this blog.
If you get chance after playing locally to come back to this blog and comment on the individual courses listed on the right then please feel free to do so.
Enjoy the Golf !! Douglas
Kirkcudbright
Kirkcudbright Golf Course My rating 8/10
18 holes Par 69 5717 yards.
Distance from HOTEL: 1 mile
http://www.kirkcudbrightgolf.co.uk/
Our local course which provides panoramic views over the Galloway Hills and the Dee Estuary. This parkland course provides and excellent challenge for golfers at all levels. Course has a few cross fairways and can be heavy if the rains come. Very warm welcome from the clubhouse staff. Buggies available.
Gatehouse of Fleet
Gatehouse of Fleet Golf Course My rating 8/10
9 holes (twice) Par 33 2521 yards.
Distance from HOTEL: 9 miles
http://www.gatehousegolfclub.com/index.html
Please don’t be put off when you arrive in the car park and see the climb up to the first tee and green.
This is a cracking 9-hole course and always in immaculate condition. For first timers take the hole-by-hole guide with you as there are quite a few blind shots to play. Wee tip is after the 8th, stay up and go back to the 3rd tee as long as it’s free and enjoy the fantastic views over to the Isle of Man in the West and Cairnsmore of Fleet to the North.
As it is an unmanned clubhouse, you are better to play after 11am when the members have gone. No Buggies available here.
Glenluce
Glenluce (Wigtownshire County) Golf Course My rating 8/10
18 HOLES PAR 70 5907 YARDS.
DISTANCE FROM HOTEL: 38 MILES
http://www.wigtownshirecountygolfclub.com/
The ‘County Golf Club’ is a true links course and is situated on the shores of the scenic Luce Bay. The excellent condition of the course, combined with subtly sloping greens and changing sea breezes, provides a test of golf for both high and low handicappers. Can be quite a short course in the dry weather. Buggies available.
Portpatrick
Portpatrick (Dunskey) Golf Course My rating 9/10
18 HOLES PAR 70 5913 YARDS.
DISTANCE FROM HOTEL: 52 MILES
http://www.portpatrickgolfclub.com/
Described by Golf World as the ‘best holiday course in the South of Scotland’, it is set on the cliffs above the picturesque village of Portpatrick and is a links type course affording magnificent views over the Irish Channel. One of my favourites for overall experience.
Brighouse Bay
Brighouse Bay Golf & Leisure Course My rating 7/10
18 holes Par 73 6501 yards.
Distance from HOTEL: 6 miles
http://www.brighousebay-golfclub.co.uk/
Set above the Solway coast it is a testing cliff top course with breathtaking views over the Irish Sea and the Galloway countryside. The natural coastal terrain and water hazards provide an enjoyable experience for all golfers but can be a very tough course in the wind. I have found some of the greens disappointing and lets the overall experience down.
On arrival you drive through the Leisure Park following the signs for the Golf Course. Buggies available.
Newton Stewart
Newton Stewart Golf Course My rating 6.5/10
18 holes Par 69 5840 yards
Distance from HOTEL: 26 miles
http://www.newtonstewartgolfclub.com/
Set in mature parkland on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park with views of Cairnsmore and Wigtown Bay.
Can be quite a challenging course with holes 3 to 12 on the top level with some steep climbs and the remaining 8 holes on the lower flatter level. Buggies available
Stranraer
Stranraer Golf Course My rating 9/10
18 holes Par 70 6308 yards.
Distance from HOTEL : 54 miles
http://www.stranraergolfclub.net/
Designed by James Braid with views to take your breath away, it offers all golfers, regardless of handicap, the chance of an unforgettable game of golf. The course is set on undulating ground and is a real gem. The 5th hole from the top tee is memorable. Tough Par 4’s 16th and 17th if into the wind. Well worth the journey time from the hotel.
Colvend
COLVEND My rating 8/10
Distance from the Best Western Selkirk Arms: 23 miles
http://www.colvendgolfclub.co.uk/the-course.html
A significantly testing eighteen hole parkland layout is situated on the gorgeous Solway Coast, with views over the Solway Firth to the Cumbrian Fells and, on a good day, offering a glimpse of the Isle of Man. Some of the holes offer challenging water features, and tree lined fairways abound.
Southerness
SOUTHERNESS My rating 9/10
DISTANCE FROM HOTEL : 31 miles
Southerness Golf club Links Golf in Dumfries and Galloway
This is a true Championship Links course, measuring 6566 yards from the white tees and 6106 from the yellow tees. It really is the No 1 course in our area. It is situated on the Solway coast giving panoramic views of the Solway Firth, the Cumbrian Lake District to the south, and the Galloway Hills to the west. The terrain is level allowing for easy walking with no hills to climb.
Dumfries and County
Dumfries & County course My rating 9/10
18 HOLES PAR 69 5928 YARDS
DISTANCE FROM HOTEL: 35 miles
Dumfries and County Golf course. Dumfries
A parkland course situated on the outskirts of the town of Dumfries. Bordered on one side by the river Nith, it offers spectacular views of the Nith valley and surrounding countryside. The USGA standard greens are almost the best in the area. Built on eighty-nine acres, it requires a high degree of course management to achieve a par of 69. Delighted myself with an eagle 2 on the first, downhill after that sad to say. Handy course to play either en route to the hotel or on the way home if travelling from the M6 or M74.
Dumfries and Galloway ( Dumfries )
DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY COURSE My rating 8/10
18 HOLES PAR 70 6309 YARDS
DISTANCE FROM HOTEL : 35 miles
Dumfries and Galloway Golf club
Much improved over recent years the “Galloway” is now rivalling the “County”, this championship eighteen hole, par 70, layout has magnificent views over the hills to the north of Dumfries.
All the fairways generous, the rough is graded and cut to avoid prolonged ball searching, and a round can be enjoyed by all categories of golfer.
Superb Pro shop here should you require stocking up.
Silloth
SILLOTH My rating 9.5 / 10
18 HOLES PAR 72
6641 yards
DISTANCE FROM HOTEL : APPROX 2 HOURS DRIVE / 83 miles
Silloth, a wonderful links course
What a classic, another of my favourites. Worth the detour to get there and is just under 2 hours drive to the hotel. Again a good course to play en route to the hotel or on the way home. Blessed with stunning views of the Galloway hills to the north, and south to the Lakeland fells and the distant Isle of Man. The Championship links of 6,641 yards has been laid out over the sand-hills west of town, touched by some of the great classical golf architects, but mostly moulded by Nature herself. The links is an R & A Regional Qualifying Course for the Open.
Even during inclement weather the course is usually in good playable condition.
Hazards consist of heather and bent; whin and broom; heroic bunkers and sandy wastes. Fairways are always wider than they seem from the tee, and having been laid with springy Cumberland turf, invite courageous fairway woods and crisp iron shots. Greens are subtle, firm, fast, and deadly true.
Powfoot
POWFOOT My rating 8/10
18 HOLES PAR 71 6458 YARDS
DISTANCE FROM HOTEL : 43 MILES
Powfoot Golf club
An excellent course with a variety of holes with quite a few tricky greens with views across to the Lake District. A links course with quite a few trees on the inland part. Great course to play either en route to the hotel from England or on the way home.
Golfing in Galloway 