Southerness: As peaceful a place as you could wish to find yourself
Aptly named, Southerness is the most southerly golf course in Scotland featured in the NCG Top 100s.
Measuring 6,110 yards off the yellow tees it would be easy to dismiss Southerness as no more than a holiday links.
Easy and wholly mistaken. Those who have visited the course even once – not to mention the lucky members whose privilege it is to enjoy playing here regularly – know better and differently.
In fact, Southerness is one of only a handful of courses anywhere in Britain where the standard scratch score is 4-over par.
As a Scottish Golf Championship Venue it regularly hosts national and international events and the course can extend up to 6,728 yards and still retain a par of 69.
History
Southerness was designed by Philip Mackenzie Ross in 1947, the first president of the British Association of Golf Course Architects, shortly after the Second World War. Although relatively recent in golfing terms, this was still an age when courses were laid out, rather than created, and as such Southerness is the most natural of venues.
Southerness is widely considered to be Ross’s finest 18-hole solo composition.
A lighthouse was built not far from here to guide shipping entering the River Nith and they used the lighthouse as Southerness Golf Club’s emblem.
What makes it special
The course sits on the shores of Solway Firth with beautiful scenery all around. The Lake District on one side and the Galloway Hills in the distance on the other.
The Skylarks’ songs will accompany you throughout your round and you’ll no doubt spot plenty of Roe Deer casually walking around the periphery of the 220 acre site of the course.
It’s as peaceful a place as you could wish to find yourself, a place where you can hear your shoe touch the fairway and your ball running over the immaculate greens
But remember: “If you’re ever having a bad game of golf, just lift your head and appreciate the scenery.” And that one comes straight from Southerness’s match secretary.
Where does it rank?
118th in GB&I, 1st in Dumfries & Galloway, 38th in Value
Where is it?
Southerness is located right on the shorelines of the Solway Firth and is 14 miles away from Dumfries.
Would you like to play Southerness with the NCG Top 100s Tour?
Our NCG Top 100s Tour offers club golfers the chance to tick off their bucket list courses around the UK and Ireland while playing for fantastic prizes courtesy of TaylorMade.
The Tour prides itself on offering the best experience at the events while offering fantastic value.
Irvine is part of the Tour’s 2023 schedule with an event on April 28, 2023 and your entry fee includes:
- Your round of golf
- A meal before and after your round
- A welcome pack on arrival
- The chance to win amazing TaylorMade prizes
And, if that isn’t enough, you can get a 10% discount if you book four or more golfers.
Get in touch with Southerness
For more information about the club and course, visit its website or call them on 01387 880677.
Have you played Southerness before? Let us know in the comments, or tweet us.
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Ben Outhwaite
Ben is National Club Golfer's Marketing Editor and the latest addition to our golf equipment review team.
He specialises in testing golf bags, beginner golf club sets, apparel and golf accessories. He also collates our buying guides so you know which are the latest and greatest bits of golf equipment on the market.
Ben picked up his first golf club when he was five years old – which was in fact a left-handed set of clubs!
He is a member at Rudding Park Golf Club and has a handicap of fifteen.
