The Course
It is a 9 hole course. The yardage is 2270 from the yellow and ladies tees and 2503 from the white competition tees
The course drains exceptionally well although in recent years it has suffered from increased rainfall which has necessitated additional drainage works.
The course climbs from a woodland setting at the clubhouse over the first two holes to a more open and level terrain. Once the initial climb is over the going is easy with a variety of natural hazards providing interest and a test for the golfer. Golfers enjoy views of the Galloway hills, the Rhinns o’ Kells, the River Ken below and south over Loch Ken to the Solway Coast and Lake District in Cumbria.
In quiet periods, golfers may elect to play 15 holes round the top by going from the 8th green to the 3rd tee. This eliminates going down the hill and back again. The winter league is played in this fashion.
The par for 18 holes is 68 and the standard scratch score 67.
The course record is 64 .
The First - Quarry Knowe - Par 3 - S.I. 5
The First hole, Quarry Knowe, is an exceptionally difficult starting hole for gents, a par 3, 216 yard long. It presents an uphill drive that only the longest hitters can reach the small sloping green. The ladies have the benefit of a par of 4 but all have to contend with a green where those facing a downhill putt have every likelihood of seeing their ball disappear off the green..
The Second - Stey Brae - Par 4 - S.I. 13
The Second hole, Stey Brae, is a short uphill par 4. From the tee aim to the left of the marker pole to avoid the whinns on the right hand side. The green comes into view at the marker pole where the course plateau is reached. A good short iron into the green presents a birdie opportunity.
The Third - Rhinns o'Kells - Par 4 - S.I. 4
The Third hole is named Rhinns o’Kells after the range of Galloway Hills. The tee shot from the back tee needs to cross over a dry stane dyke (wall) made more difficult when playing into the wind. The tee shot from the forward tee calls for a decision to play safely short or to go for a long drive up the left-hand side. The green slopes towards the back of the green and from right to left giving a difficult mid iron shot over the marker pole on the hillock in front of the green. It is better to play slightly left to leave a chip to run up the slope of the green.
The Fourth - De'il's Ain - Par 3 - S.I. 17
The Fourth hole, De’il’s Ain, (the devil’s own) is aptly named. For most players the tee shot holds the green only in damp conditions. In dry weather, a wee tap is required to land short on the slope to take the ball down to the green and play to the left where a ball is more likely to stop on the shallower sloping ground. A good chip is often called for the player to secure a par 3.
The Fifth - Hole in Wa' - Par 4 - S.I. 8
The Fifth, Hole in Wa’ is the best hole on the course. The hole is a dog leg to the right from the back tees where the tee shot needs to cross the stane dyke. The second shot from the fairway requires the player to avoid the rough hill 20 yards short of the green on the left while the green is protected on the right side by a low mound in front. Played too long there is a mound of whinns at the back of the green. An excellent par 4.
The Sixth - The Firs - Par 4 - S.I. 12
The Firs, a fine view over Loch Ken to Screel Hill can be seen from the Sixth tee. Long hitters may drive the green. Most players play safe to the fairway leaving a short, but accurate, approach shot into the saucer shaped green protected in front by a hillock covered with two clumps of whinns. It is a short and seemingly simple hole luring the unwary golfer into bogey.
The Seventh - Spion Cop - Par 3 - S.I. 16
The par 3 Seventh, Spion Cop, is the signature hole. It needs a lofted club from the tee to reach the elevated green. Aim towards the left hand side of the green as balls tend to roll down to the right. There is more space to the left than it appears from the tee. Some of the borrows on this green are very subtle.
The Eighth - Lang Knowe - Par 4 - S.I. 1
The Eight, Lang Knowe, is the hardest hole. Surprisingly, it is only 367 yards from the medal tee, a par 4 for the gents and a par 5 for ladies. Trees line the view from an elevated tee to a rocky bank crossing the fairway. Gentlemen golfers have to carry this bank onto the fairway that slopes towards the tee and to the right, reducing the run of the ball and taking a sliced ball towards the rough and whinns. Ladies may lay up their tee shots in front of the bank. The second shot requires a medium to long iron shot, add 2 clubs to your club selection, to reach uphill to the green that is slightly elevated. The marker pole is at the back of the green.
The Ninth - Ken View - Par 4 - S.I. 9
The Ninth, Ken View, is downhill from the tee all the way to the clubhouse. The player may either play to the level area next to the second tee or go for a longer drive that risks ending up in a whinn or a bank covered in semi rough. Long hitters may go for the green and indeed Ally Neil holed his tee shot in 1997. The green slopes away from the player whose second shot is best pitched short and left to roll down the green, preferably finishing below the hole for an uphill putt.
