The abundance of tranquil countryside, the stunning and often sheer coastline, and the deep history of Dumfries and Galloway make it the perfect setting to play golf. While Perthshire and St. Andrews hold the title of golf’s birthplace, Dumfries and Galloway golf courses offer a more relaxed and warm atmosphere where you can play without being rushed.
Dumfries and Galloway is situated southwest of the metropolitan Glasgow and Edinburgh and shares a border with England, making it easy for golfers and visitors to find without travelling far. If you want a laidback golf break during your holiday in Scotland, booking one of the courses in the region is a surefire ticket to fun and relaxation.
We’ve compiled a list of the best golf courses in Dumfries and Galloway for you to check out and enjoy and how much it costs to play.
Colvend Golf Course
The picturesque Colvend Golf Course is a favourite of many who’ve played in Dumfries and Galloway. You can see the faraway Isle of Man and the Falls of Cumbria from its immaculate greens, nestling the course between wonders of land and sea. Southwest Scotland has never looked more beautiful than when you play on Colvend.
Colvend’s par 69 course offers a delightful challenge for newer and experienced golfers. Its 18 holes are in excellent condition, as you’d expect from a manicured parkland course. And since Dumfries and Galloway’s courses aren’t as busy as St. Andrews, you can play a round here for only £30 – now that’s a bargain.
Southerness Golf Club
Scotland’s Solway Coast is the smile of Dumfries and Galloway – bright, verdant, and welcoming. On its peaceful shores sits the Southernness Golf Club, home to a championship links course designed by MacKenzie Ross in 1947.
Southerness’ character is on full display, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find many golf courses in Dumfries to rival the serene landscapes at this golf club. In addition to stunning views of land and sea, this golf course offers over 6,000 yards of links course fairways, contouring the natural landscape of the Solway Coast. Its par 69’s difficulty is amplified by natural hazards along the course, like coastal winds and dune bunkers, so keep your eyes open and your mind sharp.
You can enjoy Southerness’ 18 holes for a reasonable £55 per player.
Stranraer Golf Club
Stranraer is a welcoming golf club in the southwestern corner of Scotland and is a stone’s throw away from the town of Stranraer proper. Its championship course was touched by the famed designer James Braid, who also designed other incredible courses like Gleneagles and Rosemount.
Stranraer’s 18 holes is a renowned course with plenty of ups and downs (sometimes literally) that an experienced golfer will find irresistible. Gorgeous trees and beautiful views of Loch Ryan flank each green.
Green fees for Stranraer costs £45 for a single round of their 18 holes.
Kirkcudbright Golf Club
Kirkcudbright is a reasonably well-visited town in the countryside region of Dumfries and Galloway, with the winding River Dee coursing through the town’s centre. Kirkcudbright Golf Club has plenty to offer for a newer or experienced golfer and should be on the top of your to-do list when in Dumfries and Galloway.
Kirkcubright’s 18 holes present a unique and fun challenge, with bunkers, awkwardly positioned fairways and elevation changes that mean each shot needs to be considered carefully. This excellent golf course is all yours to explore for only £35 per person for a round.
Portpatrick Dunskey Golf Club
What’s better than one course? Two courses! Portpatrick Dunskey Golf Club offers just that amidst the outstanding natural beauty that the southwestern regions of Scotland are known for. While the golf courses in the Highlands can be subject to inclement weather, the Gulf Stream makes Portpatrick ideal no matter what time of year you arrive.
You can play the short 9-hole Dinvin course or the Dunskey 18-hole. They both use the rolling heathland moors to create an unforgettable golf experience for you to enjoy. Dinvin is one of the hidden gems if you want to avoid playing a full 18 holes – in fact, it only takes an hour to tackle the full 9 here.
Green fees for the 18 holes are £50 and £15 for a day of playing the 9 holes.
Dumfries and Galloway Golf Club
Tee-ing off on the championship parkland course at the Dumfries and Galloway Golf Club is one of the best experiences you can enjoy in this lovely region of Scotland. The club was established in 1880 and moved to their home 15 years later. This 18-hole course stretches over 6200 yards with a fair yet challenging par 70.
This lovely course is right in the heart of Dumfries, making it one of the most accessible places for a round of golf if you’re exploring this fair town nearby Kingholm. And after you wrap up a thrilling game at Dumfries and Galloway, rest and relax at the golf club’s clubhouse.
Lochmaben Golf Club
Lochmaben Golf Club sits between the bustling towns of Dumfries and Lockerbie – two of the region’s most famous attractions. It is nestled right next to Kirk Loch, undoubtedly one of the most picturesque places to enjoy golf.
Lochmaben was designed by James Braid, with 9 unique holes that wrap around three archaeological sites of historic importance. The second green, for example, has the site of Bruce the Great’s castles! If you’re in the UK and want a place where golf and history merge, Lochmaben is the place to be.
If you don’t have any clubs, check out Lochmaben’s pro shop for options to rent out for a round, like buggy hire and trolley hire. A game at this golf club costs £45 to play.
Brighouse Bay Golf Club
The last golf club we’ll cover is Brighouse Bay Golf Club, but it is not the least of our selections. Brighouse Bay offers a stunning 18-hole championship course just a stone’s throw away from the town of Kirkcudbright (home to another excellent golf course).
Brighouse Bay is an excellent choice for golfers coming to Galloway, Dumfries, or the isles surrounding the region who want to enjoy a relaxing golf break. Their selection of overnight lodges is perfect for taking friends and families out to enjoy a sport they love in balmy southwest Scotland.
Brighouse Bay also offers one of the most affordable choices for a round of golf, only costing £27.
Other Golf Courses in Scotland
- Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, & Moray Golf Courses
- Argyll & Bute Golf Courses
- Central & West Scotland Golf Courses
- Edinburgh & The Lothians Golf Courses
- Glasgow, Clyde, & Ayrshire Golf Courses
- Perthshire, Kinross, & Angus Golf Courses
- Scottish Borders Golf Courses
- Scottish Highlands Golf Courses
- Scottish Isles Golf Courses
- The Kingdom of Fife Golf Courses
