Southerness

Southerness is one of the southernmost courses on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list, and the only venue in the county of Dumfries and Galloway to make the list. 

 

It is also one of the younger courses on the list, dating back to the 1940s. The course has not changed much in that time, except for the routing, which now sees the original 6th hole kick off your round. 

 

The British Ladies’ Amateur, Scottish Amateur and Scottish Ladies’ Amateur Championships have all been hosted at Southerness in the last few decades.  

 

  

Visit Southerness' website here.

Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage. 

 

Southerness is one of the younger seaside links courses in the country (excluding the likes of Kingsbarns and Dumbarnie Links to name a couple). 

 

The idea to create a golf course on the land near Southerness Lighthouse came about shortly after the Second World War. Philip MacKenzie Ross was the brains behind the design of the layout. 

 

The course has since changed its routing, with the original first five now playing as the course’s last five holes. 

 

During its history, Southerness has played host to the Scottish Amateur Championship, Scottish Ladies’ Amateur Championship and the British Ladies’ Amateur Championship.

 

As with most seaside links courses, Southerness is relatively flat, barring the odd mound here or there. It is also not the longest of courses that you will find on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. Even the championship tees only measure in at 6,750 yards, while the whites are just shy of 6,600 yards. If you play off the whites, then there are no holes of more than 500 yards. There are just two par 5s and five par 3s, making Southerness a par 69. 

 

The first six holes of the layout are inland, and take you around the north side of fields. A gentle 390-yard par 4 gets you underway, but there is out of bounds down the right side thanks to the boundary fence. The tough 455-yard 2nd is next and into the prevailing wind, this is often a three-shotter. The 3rd is two very different holes. Off the championship tees, it plays more than 460, while off the whites, it is a kind and gentle 405.

 

The 4th is the opening par 3 on the course, and at 166 yards from the back, it is not the longest offering you will find during your round at Southerness.  The 5th is the first of the two par 5s, playing back to the east for the first time, so you should have the prevailing wind behind you. That makes it easy, no? Some will be able to reach in two, while others will lay up and opt to give themselves a birdie chance with a wedge in hand. After the par 4 6th comes the par 3 7th. It plays more than 210 yards, and you play with the sea as your backdrop. There are four bunkers, although only two of those should be in play. 

 

The 8th is the shortest par 4 at Southerness, and moves you down to the coastline. The 9th brings the front nine to a close with one of the toughest holes on the property. It is 440 yards from the whites, and a brutal 470 yards from the blues. Good luck making par down 9.  The opening hole on the back side is the par 3 10th – a 166-yard gem which has six bunkers surrounding the green. 11 has a burn which runs across the fairway just 30 yards from the green, meaning a mishit second shot could find the penalty area. 

 

The 12th is a dog-leg right par 4, which three fairway bunkers in the way. The backdrop of the green is the Irish Sea, which then pays a part along the right side of the 13th hole as well. Not only that, but it is also 467 yards long, just to add to the problems you might face down 13. Back inland, the 14th is also a lengthy par 4 of more than 450 yards, as you fight your way through the toughest part of the layout at Southerness. 

 

The closing stretch begins with a 220-yard par 3 from the back tees. The 15th has five greenside bunkers, and they are all pot bunkers as well. The 17th is also a par 3, but you will need much less club. It is only 172 yards, but plays slightly uphill, and with a glorious backdrop. 16 is another long par 4, while the closing hole at Southerness is the second and final par 5 on the course. It is one of the 12 holes that has a ‘championship’ tee, which pushes the hole back past 535 yards. From the whites, it is just shy of 500 and offers up a possible eagle chance for the longest of hitters.  
 

Where is Southerness located?  
Southerness is one of the southernmost courses you will find on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. It is based on the Solway Coast, in the southwest of the country. It is actually south of any point of the English border. The golf club is based on the coast, with views out to the Irish Sea and across to Silloth in England.  

 

Both Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports, as well as Newcastle Airport in England, are within two hours of Southerness. The former are the two busiest airports in Scotland. Dumfries is home to the nearest train station to Southerness, but that is 15 miles north of the venue.

 

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?
Southerness is all on its own in the southwest corner of Scotland when it comes to any other courses on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list, though there are a number of great courses in the region. On the list, the closest are the Ailsa Course and King Robert the Bruce Course at Trump Turnberry, some 75 miles to the northwest.

What golf facilities does Southerness offer?  
Along with the championship golf course, Southerness also has a driving range at the northern side of the property. The range runs alongside the first couple of holes, while there is also a short game area to allow golfers to practice their chipping and putting.  

What are the green fees at Southerness?  
The price of a green fee at Southerness changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. 

 

For more information on current green fees at Southerness visit their website here. 

 

  

Visit Southerness' website here.

Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.