This month we head north to Dumfries & Galloway and find fine golf and a warm Scottish welcome
Southerness Golf Club
Set on the shores of the Solway Coast, Southerness Golf Club is one of the region’s most spectacular courses. Designed by MacKenzie Ross and built in 1947, this championship links course is a true golfing test set in the rugged coastal landscape.
Located between the beauty of Criffel to the North and the Solway Firth to the south which leads to panoramic views of Cumbrian and Galloway hills and on a good day the Isle of Man, you can expect a warm welcome and first-class facilities here.
On the course, the fairways are generous while the greens are fast and true with many subtle undulations making scoring tough. A good drive will be rewarded here but beware heading too far off line as you might not see your ball again.
The course has been managed by the current head greenkeeper for more than 20 years and this period of stability has produced a superb course which has earned an enviable reputation and has hosted a number of national and international events in the last 30 years.
Southerness Golf Club Southerness, Dumfries
DG2 8AZ, tel 01387 880 677 www.southernessgolfclub.com
Powfoot Golf Club
Set in the breathtaking Dumfriesshire landscape, Powfoot Golf Club presents a stunning combination of links land and parkland golf to produce a challenging layout.
Founded in 1903 with the course designed by Sandy Herd, the layout was redesigned by the legendary James Braid in 1923 and offers a superb test with challenging holes set among whins and rough, and beside the Solway Firth.
At 6,274 yards, the course isn’t the longest but makes up for its shorter length with a number of demanding tee shots, which often force you to play for the safety of the fairway with an iron rather than risking taking out driver and finding trouble. The best example of this can be found at the fifth, a 258-yard par three from the yellows which turns into a driveable par four of 272 yards from the medal tees.
Away from the golf course, you’ll find a warm Scottish welcome awaits you in the clubhouse.
Powfoot Golf Club, Cummertrees Annan, Dumfriesshire
DG12 5QE, tel 01461 204 100
www.powfootgolfclub.com
Lockerbie Golf Club
From its elevated setting, Lockerbie Golf Club affords stunning views over the Annandale Valley and the Lakeland hills while presenting a fine parkland test with tree-lined fairways and subtly contoured greens protecting the par 67 layout.
The original nine-hole course was designed by the legendary five-time Open Champion James Braid before a further nine holes were added in 1986.
Short by modern standards at 5,463 yards, the course is protected by trees, water and its small, sloping greens. Water comes into play on three holes while five par threes present tricky tests of 100-200 yards. With no par fives, the par fours at Lockerbie range from great birdie chances to stern holes protected by hazards and thick rough – driver is often a risky play and caution can be best to unlock good scores here.
Situated on the east side of Lockerbie, just five minutes from the north and south exits of the M74, this is a great place to start your trip north.
Lockerbie Golf Club, Corrie Road Lockerbie, Dumfries & Galloway
DG11 2ND, tel 01576 203 363
www.lockerbiegolf.co.uk
The Cairndale Hotel
Situated in Dumfries town centre, the Cairndale Hotel is an ideal base for those heading north to sample the high quality golf and hospitality in Dumfries & Galloway and down into Cumbria.
The Cairndale Hotel’s Golf Co-ordinator, Kevin Potts, is an expert in his field with a wealth of contacts locally and further afield to ensure you get the right mix of golf courses around the counties during your break as well as arranging your tee times, preferred meals and rooms in the hotel.
All golf breaks at the hotel include a full Scottish breakfast each morning, four-course Table D’hôtel dinner and free use of the hotel’s leisure facilities.
Check out the Facebook page www.facebook.com/CairndaleHotel, for the latest offers and updates.
The Cairndale Hotel & Leisure Club 132-136 English Street, Dumfries DG1 2DF, tel 01387 254 111
www.cairndalehotel.co.uk
