Wigtownshire County

Wigtownshire County Golf Club, commonly known as ‘The County’, has been around since the end of the 19th Century. 

Founded in 1894, it wasn’t until the 1980s when the course was extended and opened as an 18-hole layout. New land allowed the club to extend, with more holes right by the beach. 

The course overlooks Whitecrook Cove and the Irish Sea, with many a ball having ended up on the beach from wayward shots here. 

Visit Wigtownshire County’s website here.

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The history of Wigtownshire County Golf Club dates back to the late 19th Century. 1893 saw a group come together to form the club, with the course being opened a year later. 

Originally a 9-hole course, the 1st tee was actually in the spot where the 4th green currently sits. That was then changed round to its current routing with the addition of the nine new holes. 

In 1978, the club acquired more land to the east. Over the next decade, nine more holes were added, becoming the 5th through 13th, with those opening in 1987.

Since the expansion and the changes to the layout at Wigtownshire County, it has become a standout championship venue in the southwest corner of Scotland. Sloping greens and undulating fairways make ‘The County’ a tough test for golfers of all abilities. Throw in the sea breezes coming in over Whitecrook Cove, and you have a proper test of golf. The 6,100-yard course is a par 70, split into the longer front nine and the shorter back nine. 

It begins with a quartet of par 4s, including two of the hardest holes on the course. The opener is no easy start either. It is just shy of 400 yards, with a bunker on either side of the fairway. The green is circular with a gorse bush to its front right – not the place to miss the green. The 2nd is the easiest hole of the opening run. It is 350 yards, and although there are trees right and two bunkers down the left side, driver is not needed thanks to the distance of the hole. At 402 yards, the 3rd is the longest of the lot. It is a slight dog-leg left, and again, a bunch of tall Scottish pine trees occupy the right side of the fairway. The Stroke Index 1 at ‘The County’ comes at the 4th. A dog-leg right, played with the beach and Whitecrook Cove on your right side, accuracy is key off the tee here. The green is flanked by bunkers on either side, along with the sea on the right. 

You then move into the new holes on the course, starting with the par 3 5th. It is the first of the short holes at Wigtownshire and at 162 yards, it requires a solid mid-to-long iron for most. It is followed by the only par 5 on the course, the 538-yard 6th. Played as a dog-leg right, the tee shot has to be played out to the left to ensure your ball does not fall down towards the beach. For most it will be a three-shotter, making the approach easier to control with a lofted club, considering the trouble that lies behind the green. 

Around the turn, there are six consecutive par 4s. 7 and 8 play parallel to each other, running in opposite directions. Both have fairway bunkers to avoid, with the latter being just 300 yards, and a good birdie chance. The 9th is a slight dog-leg right, and although there is a pair of fairway bunkers to avoid, the green is the tricky part. It is narrow, and sits on an angle from the fairway. There are no bunkers, but anything long or right of the surface will be in trouble. 10 and 11 are both good chances to get a red number on the card. The former is 330 yards, and plays towards the beach, with the green sitting just above the sand below. The 11th plays back away from the beach, and at only 295 yards, it is no more than a flick of a wedge for the second shot. 

The last of the par 4s around the turn comes at 12. It is the longest and trickiest of the run, playing almost 400 yards and as a strong dog-leg right. The tee shot is played out to the left, towards the 8th hole, before you then turn 90 degrees to play your approach towards the putting surface. Anything right off the tee will be in danger of finding the thick stuff. The shortest hole on the course is the 13th – a 150-yard par 3. A large, circular green lies in wait, but anything missing the surface could find trouble. Two bunkers sit to the right, with thick bushes down the left. The fairway on 14 sits at a slight angle from the tee, meaning that you are hitting your tee shot somewhat across the fairway rather than straight down it. At just 340 yards, though, if you can find the short grass, it is another scoring chance. 

The closing stretch at ‘The County’ begins with the longest par 4 on the property, the 452-yard 15th. A long dog-leg right, this is the Stroke Index 2 for a reason, thanks to the distance, and the tightness of the fairway. It opens up towards the green, but the putting surface overlooks the beach. 16 is another hole that turns right, but at 325 yards, it is much gentler than its predecessor. Big hitters might take on the big tree that sits to the right of this hole. Most will stay left of it, playing to the corner, before then firing an approach at the green. 

The penultimate hole at Wigtownshire County is the last of the par 3s, and the longest of the trio as well. It is 196 yards from the tips, and plays straight towards the Irish Sea. Short is absolutely fine, and many may well run their approach into the heart of the green. Long – you don’t want to go long on 17. The course finishes with a tee shot played almost from the beach. The 18th is a 397-yard par 4 with a road running across the middle of it. Drive it to the road and you’ll have a mid-iron into the green. The putting surface itself is relatively small, and guarded by a solitary bunker on the front left, along with the practice putting green sitting behind it.

Where is Wigtownshire County Golf Club located?

Wigtownshire County Golf Club is situated in the southwestern corner of Scotland, in the county of Dumfries & Galloway. The course, which runs along the coastline of southern Scotland, overlooks Whitecrook Cove, and on a clear day, you can see south to the Isle of Man. Wigtownshire County is just outside the village of Glenluce, with the city of Stranraer less than ten miles to the north.

Stranraer is also home to the nearest train station to Wigtownshire County, which is also within ten miles of the venue. The nearest international airport to the venue is Glasgow Prestwick, which is around 65 miles to the north. Glasgow Airport is 100 miles north, while Edinburgh Airport – the country’s biggest and busiest airport – is 130 miles away.

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?

There are only a few venues on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list in Dumfries & Galloway. Stranraer is the closest, 12 miles from Wigtownshire County. Trump Turnberry, with its Ailsa Course and the King Robert the Bruce Course, is around 40 miles to the north.

What golf facilities does Wigtownshire County offer?  

There is a small practice area at Wigtownshire County, which is situated along the side of the 10th hole, on the western side of the property. There is also a putting green and short game area for both members and guests to use before a round.

What are the green fees at Wigtownshire County?  

The price of a green fee at Wigtownshire County 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 Wigtownshire County, visit their website here.