South Scotland

THE most under-rated area of Scotland in golfing terms is the South. We hope in these pages we do our bit to put that right.

Many head straight up the M74 for more famous names or bypass altogether on a flight to the central belt or above. That is a mistake.

A plethora of classy courses lie in Dumfries and Galloway, all offering excellent golf at even better prices. And, if you live anywhere north of Birmingham, you can be there in little more than three hours by car. Powfoot and Portpatrick feature in our links gems feature and give an idea of the quality on offer but there are many other clubs to build into your itinerary too.

We'll start in the biggest town in the area, Dumfries. Laid out by former Open champion Willie Fernie, Dumfries and Galloway has a distinguished history and boasts a splendid parkland course. Fernie, the only man to record double figures on one hole and still win the Auld Claret Jug, designed "The Galloway", as it is known locally, in 1894 a year after his Open triumph.

He stayed on in the vital role of assistant club maker and raised five sons all of whom became professional golfers. The pick of the holes he designed is arguably the 5th, a 565-yard left-to-right dog-leg which demands crisp striking from start to finish.

Fir trees on the bend of "Station" make it one dog-leg which is dangerous to try to cut. The four bunkers which front the green mean even short thirds must be accurate. Yet 'The Galloway' is not all about brute force, nous and a deft touch is also required. The 355-yard 12th is a perfect example, the second shot played uphill from the ridges (which give the hole its name) necessitating both those aforementioned attributes in abundance.

Also a product of Fernie, Dumfries and County is good enough to have held the British Senior Ladies Open Amateur Championship in 2006. This parkland course is bordered by the River Nith and offers spectacular views of the Nith Valley and surrounding countryside.

The course measures 5,928 yards and its USGA-standard greens are renowned as being among the best in the area. Those making the trip from south of the border can break up their journey to D and G by stopping off at Lockerbie. Half a mile north of the town close to the M74 lies an exceptionally friendly club always presented in immaculate condition.

Offering a gentle introduction to playing in Scotland there's no excessive yardage to walk or unfriendly hazards to ruin a promising round. It's challenging, but not gruelling, golf in the heart of ancient parkland and is also home to Dumfries and Galloway's only pond hole which must be crossed twice in succession.

On the other side of the region lies Stranraer and those making the pilgrimage to Portpatrick must also call in here. It is classic Scottish golf: unbelievably good value. When you return to tell your friends how much such a good course cost they won't believe you.

The same can be said for Newton Stewart, just a couple of minutes' drive from the main A75 Dumfries to Stranraer road. There is not a weak hole on this course and the dramatic changes in elevation add to its spectacular and exhilerating nature.

Much the same can be said for Colvend, situated near Dalbeattie and the Solway Firth. Although it boasts breathtaking views of the beach and water, it plays like a clifftop in parts and a parkland in others. Again, cracking value.

To stay in the area look no further than the Ellangowan Hotel. Film buffs may recognise the bar at the Ellangowan Hotel in Creetown from acclaimed 1970s horror film the Wicker Man where stars like Britt Ekland, Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee drank when it posed as Summerisle pub, the Green Man.

Nowadays it serves as a perfect watering hole and place to lay your head should you find yourself playing the courses of south-west Scotland. Not only does this cosy family-run hotel boast one of the best restaurants in the area, but the owners can also offer some great advice on where to play and get you discount packages no matter how large or small your group is.

Further north, Ayrshire's Open venues make it better known than D and G. Think of golf in this area and it is the likes of Turnberry and Troon that spring to mind.

So many great spectacles have been played out here such as Tom and Jack's Duel in the Sun at Turnberry in 1977 and Arnold Palmer's romp to his second successive Open title at Troon in 1962. But golf here is not just restricted to these places of myth and legend, and stretching from Largs and West Kilbride to Prestwick to Girvan, the golf is full of riches that can all be accessed through Ayrshire Golf Tours. This company can arrange everything from accommodation to car hire and tee times to specific tours.

A host of packages are available on their website from a company that are based, born and bred in this part of the world, giving you their expertise, a great insight and a host of discounted deals.

Finally, the Ayrshire Golf Pass represents some of the best-value quality golf in this part of Scotland offering substantial discounts across a range of options. In Ayrshire the new Loch Lomond-owned Dundonald Links has joined the four current and former Open Championship final qualifying courses at Kilmarnock Barassie, Irvine Bogside, Prestwick St Nicholas and Turnberry's Kintyre.

Together, they provide some of the best rounds of golf you could hope for in such a easy-to-navigate area where the courses are all close to one another. Testing holes, warm welcomes and good old Scottish hospitality combine to make this card unique that can be purchased as golf only or with discounted accommodation and car hire offers. This pass can also be combined with the Fife Fairways Golf Card that can be used at courses such as St Andrews Bay, Scotscraig and the Open Qualifying venue of Ladybank, just outside Cupar.


Factfile
Hirsel Golf Course 01890 882678
Torwoodlee 01896 752260
George and Abbotsford Hotel 01896 822308
Heatherlie House Hotel 01750721200
Dumfries and Galloway 01387 256902
Dumfries and County 01387 268918
Colvend 01556 630398
Stranraer 01776 870245
Ellangowan Hotel 01671 820201
Ayrshire Golf Tours
Ayrshire Golf Pass 01383 629940
Powfoot 01461 207521
Newton Stewart 01671 402172