Golf in Galloway
Great courses, spectacular views — and some seriously good-value golf
If you've never thought of Dumfries & Galloway for a golf break, perhaps it's time you did.
We're lucky enough to have a remarkable collection of courses within easy reach of Kirkcudbright. There are beautiful parkland courses, little nine-hole gems, challenging layouts amongst the Galloway hills and coastal courses where the views alone are almost worth losing a ball for.
Better still, golf here can still represent exceptionally good value.
For 2027 we're introducing new Stay & Play packages at the Selkirk Arms, allowing you to combine three nights in Kirkcudbright with three rounds of golf from £425 per person.
But first, let's talk golf.
⛳ Our Local Three
If you're staying in Kirkcudbright, these are the three courses we'd put at the top of the list.
Each is completely different, each has wonderful views and they're all within easy reach of the hotel.
Kirkcudbright Community Golf Club
The one on our doorstep
If you're staying at the Selkirk Arms, this is the obvious place to start.
The course sits above Kirkcudbright, with panoramic views across the town and harbour, the Dee Estuary and towards the Galloway Hills. It's an 18-hole parkland course, par 69 from the men's tees, where the natural contours, bunkers and two small ponds provide plenty to think about. Kirkcudbright Golf Club
And it's only around five minutes from the hotel.
It's the sort of course where you occasionally need to remind yourself that you're supposed to be looking at the ball rather than the view.
Chris's tip: If this is your first visit, give yourself a little time to enjoy the views rather than simply concentrating on the scorecard. You can worry about the three-putt afterwards.
⛳ Colvend Golf Club
Golf by the Solway
Colvend gives you something completely different.
You're heading towards the beautiful Solway coast, with a course surrounded by some of the best scenery in this part of South West Scotland.
For a three-day break, Kirkcudbright and Colvend make a lovely contrast — two very different golfing experiences without spending half your holiday driving between courses.
Chris's tip: Take the camera. Or at least make sure there's room on your phone between all the photographs of your golf swing.
⛳ Gatehouse of Fleet
Nine holes — but don't mistake that for easy
Gatehouse is our wildcard.
It's a nine-hole course, but anyone expecting a gentle knock around might be in for a surprise.
There are climbs, challenges and some superb views. It's a great alternative if you don't necessarily want another full 18-hole day.
For a relaxed golf break, there's something rather appealing about playing nine holes, enjoying the scenery and still having plenty of afternoon left for exploring Galloway.
Chris's tip: Nine holes doesn't necessarily mean half the effort. You'll understand what we mean when you've played it.
Fancy travelling a little further?
One of the pleasures of using Kirkcudbright as a base is that you're not limited to those three.
There are plenty more courses that can be incorporated into a three- or four-day itinerary.
Dumfries & County Golf Club
An excellent option if you're arriving from the south or east.
Dumfries & County is an 18-hole, par-69 parkland course measuring 5,925 yards. Its design has connections to Open champions Willie Fernie and James Braid, and the club describes a compact but challenging course with trees and blind tee shots amongst its tests.
That makes it particularly useful as an arrival-day round before continuing to Kirkcudbright.
Cally Palace
Cally Palace at Gatehouse of Fleet provides another attractive local option.
Its location makes it particularly easy to combine with a stay in Kirkcudbright, and it's a useful choice for golfers looking for an 18-hole round close to the hotel.
Chris's tip: Cally and Gatehouse give you two very different options in almost the same area — ideal when organising a group with mixed golfing ambitions.
Newton Stewart Golf Club
Head west and there's another cracking Galloway course waiting.
Newton Stewart is an 18-hole, 5,806-yard par-69 parkland course, surrounded by the Galloway Hills. An unusual bonus is the ability to play 9, 12 or 18 holes, which makes it particularly flexible when building a touring itinerary.
Powfoot Golf Club
Set in breathtaking scenery in Dumfriesshire, South West Scotland, Powfoot Golf Course presents a mixture of both links and parkland golf of the highest standard.
Opened in 1903 and redesigned by the legendary James Braid in 1923, the course offers a superb test of golf with its many challenging holes which are set among whins and gorse and has earned Powfoot the tag of ‘one of golf’s best kept secrets’.
Portpatrick Dunskey Golf Club
If you're travelling from the west — or fancy making a bigger Galloway golfing tour — Portpatrick is well worth considering.
The club overlooks the North Channel towards Ireland and actually has two courses: the 18-hole Dunskey and nine-hole par-3 Dinvin.
The main course combines rolling moorland and seaside heath, sitting around 150 feet above sea level. On a clear day the views can stretch towards the Isle of Man, Mourne Mountains and Mull of Kintyre.
Wigtownshire County Golf Club, Glenluce
Another useful western option and one that works particularly well as an en-route course when travelling through Wigtownshire.
The 'County' is one of the most popular holiday golf courses in South West Scotland, an 18-hole, true links course situated on the shores of Luce Bay. The excellent condition of the course, combined with subtlely sloping greens and changing sea breezes, provide a test of golf for both high and low handicappers.
Three days. Three courses. Your itinerary.
This is where we can make a Selkirk Arms golf break a little different.
Rather than simply selling you a room and handing you a list of telephone numbers, we'll help you put together an itinerary that makes sense for the direction you're travelling.
Coming from the South or East
Day 1 — Dumfries & County
Play on your way to Kirkcudbright, then continue to the Selkirk Arms for check-in.
Day 2 — Cally Palace or Gatehouse of Fleet
Choose between an 18-hole round at Cally or the shorter but challenging nine-hole Gatehouse course.
Day 3 — Kirkcudbright
Finish with our home course, just minutes from the hotel.
Coming from the North
Day 1 — Powfoot
Build your first round into the journey south.
Day 2 — Kirkcudbright
Stay local and enjoy the views over the Dee Estuary.
Day 3 — Colvend
Finish with a round near the Solway coast before beginning the journey home.
Coming from the West
Day 1 — Portpatrick or Stranraer
Start the trip with a western Galloway course.
Day 2 — Kirkcudbright
Our local round and considerably less driving.
Day 3 — Glenluce
Another round en route home.
And these are only suggestions. Tell us where you're travelling from, what sort of courses you enjoy and how much golf you want to squeeze in and we can help put together the itinerary.
NEW FOR 2027
Selkirk Arms Stay & Play
3 nights + 3 rounds of golf
£425 per person
The package is based on two people sharing a twin or double room.
Single golfers and single-room requirements are very welcome — contact us directly for individual pricing.
Courses and tee times are subject to availability and the package price may vary according to the courses selected. We'll confirm everything when putting your itinerary together.
Talk golf with Chris
Not sure which three courses to choose?
That's half the fun.
Tell Chris where you're travelling from, your preferred dates and what sort of golf you're looking for and we'll help plan a three-round itinerary that works around your journey.
OR PHONE THE HOTEL ON 01557 330402
Stay. Play. Eat. Sleep. Repeat.
The Selkirk Arms sits in the heart of Kirkcudbright, giving you a comfortable base for exploring the golf courses of Dumfries & Galloway.
Play all day, come back to the hotel, have a good dinner and a bottle of wine or pint of beer, discuss the putt that definitely should have dropped, sleep it off and do it all again tomorrow.
That sounds like a golf break to us.