Lochmaben Golf Club

On 14/09/2010 I visited Lochmaben with 18 other like minded golfers. This was the second day of our 'tour' to the area, our first day having been a complete wash out at nearby Powfoot. The day dawned bright and clear, though a little windy and we arrived to find the course to be very busy. Car parking was a little restricted, but having got the clubs out we made our way to the club house where we were greeted by the duty manager and invited to pre order lunch. The club house offers a wide ranging lunchtime menu (I would recommend the soup, sandwiches and bowl of chips at £4 - tremendous value and well presented). I had booked 27 holes for our party but hadn't been warned that playing 9 holes in the morning would take you just about as far away from the club house as was humanly possible - leaving a lengthy yomp back for lunch !! Nevertheless, the course was in superb condition and this combined with the beautiful scenery meant that the walk back was soon forgotten. Lunch was served on time by staff who really seemed to care - a real bonus and something which made our visit all the more enjoyable. So what about the course - well a short Par 4 opener is then (unusually) followed by a couple of incredible Par 3's. The remaining 6 holes provide a fair challenge with forgiving fairways and beautifully manicured greens that run straight and true (assuming that you take aim at the hole - which clearly, on occasion, I failed to do!).The 8th is a lovely Par 3 over water and beware the 9th - choice of club off the tee is all importantto avoid placing your tee shot into a lateral ditch / stream which cuts across the fairway . The back 9 holes are significantly more difficult (and longer - around 1000yrds). The views are often breathtaking and each hole has something different to offer. My particular favourite was a short Par 5 (around 465yrds - sorry cannot recall which hole) which culminated in an undulating green - superb. We played several courses during our visit to Dumfries & Galloway - but the one that was spoken most highly about was Lochmaben. A true gem of a course. Reasonable green fees, a warm friendly welcome, a superb course in magnificent condition and members who were willing to offer a little local knowledge (tahnks to the Club Captain!). An absolute 'must' for anyone visitign the area.

I visited lochmaben golf club on the 11 of June 2010 and found it to be the most enjoyable day we had in south west Scotland we just turned up on the day and we where greeted in a very friendly manner by the steward of the club who also foes the catering which by the way is well worth a bite Scottish breakfast for £4.00 great value. The course played fast and some work had been done to some greens but it looked and played great you could see work was being done and greenstaff where busy work. All in all a great day can't wait till next year thanks lochmaben for a nice day.

Our first course on our five day tour of Dumfries & Galloway as three retired golfers on our first trip to this part of Scotland. We chose it because it was just off the M74, and the glowing reports on this site. We drove up from Bedfordshire, arriving an hour early for our 11.15 tee time. We were greeted in the most unwelcoming manor I have ever come across in our many visits to Scotland. It took some 30 minutes to find someone who could allow us out early, and a similar time to rustle up a cup of instant coffee. The course didn’t appear busy and certainly no competitions were taking place. We played to the first green and were confronted with a surface in the most appalling condition, it looked like someone had attacked it with 2” core drill then tried to fill the craters with sand, the next 4/5 holes were all in a similar state, after that things improved slightly until we reached the 18th. It looked as though the greens could be quite interesting with several interesting borrows and slopes, and perhaps by August would be playing well. We found the course played short, I would imagine very low handicap players would be looking to birdie most of the par fours and have the chance of even an eagle or two on the par fives. Surprisingly we didn’t find many very friendly members either on the course or off it, and certainly no apologies for the condition. I don’t enjoy criticising a course that obviously has many fans and such glowing previous reports, I can only suggest if you are planning to play soon, you check if conditions have improved, and/or seek a discounted fee.

Lochmaben Golf Course is well worth a visit. The course itself winds around a small loch which makes for a scenic round. Water does come into play on a couple of holes. Generally the course is flat, a welcome relief after a long journey north. The fairways were in immaculate condition and a joy to play off. The rough was tough, but not impossible. The greens are wonderfully maintained, generally flat and medium paced. If you missed a putt it was the player, not the green to blame because they ran true. I didn’t spend much time in the clubhouse so can’t say much about it other than there were changing facilities and a big bar upstairs. I will point out that when played there were a number of young trees planted. In two or three years time when they are over 15 feet high the course will become harder, which will favour the straight hitters. All in all I could recommend this course to players of any standard. The course rewards straight hitting and solid putting. If you’re having an off day the scenery will bring a smile to your face as will the 19th.

Loved it, golfed at the Galloway, the county & powfoot & Lochmaben was by far the best. Excellent surroundings, fantastic greens & challenging but fair was was the most used comment by all of us, 8 "Golfers" from England who had agreat time on your course, Miles better than the rest & reccomended to anyone visiting the area.

As an ex-pat Scot who takes a group of fellow Matlock GC members for 4 days golf in Scotland every year, I'm always a bit apprehensive that my course selection is reliable. Lochmaben exceeded all expectations and was voted the favourite venue of the week for its layout, aspects, presentation, condition and friendliness. And this is against such prestige alternatives as Southerness and Powfoot. Lochmaben is a little gem and great value for money. If you're in the area don't miss it.

Six of us played on the 29th of june. Very enjoyable day out although a dismal drizzling day. The back nine destroyed my best round of the week , accuracy off the tee is the key to keeping a ROUND GOING.well maintained with friendly staff and members. ( Let us play in middle of comp day). Favorite course amongst us all during our midweek break.

Superb course in wonderful condition. Have played it each time visited Scotland and will be back again and again. Beautiful views around the loch and in all directions, enough not too worry too much about the score. Very warm welcome from Members and excellent clubhouse.

Played this course several times duringa week's holiday in '99 - it rained all week, yet the course was always perfectly presented and the welcome warm and hearty. Visited again recently and was delighted to find that both aspects remain the same. Watch out for the geese on the 8th - they'll get you if you're a bit wayward!

After a 400 mile drive from Devon, given a warm welcome from staff at the bar. Course was in good condition but very short off the front tees even for an average length hitter like myself. I managed 3 birdies in a row 3-5 holes so enjoyed the 1st nine, 2nd nine much harder with some good honest straight hitting required. Overall good course and worth a visit. Geoff (Hand 6 Tavistock g.c.)

I played 5 courses in the Dumfries area and a total of 8 rounds during my 3 week vacation. My preference by far of all 5 courses I played was Lochmaben. The conditioning of the course was good, although there had been a lot of rain before I arrived the course was very playable, the clubhouse staff were friendly and the meals were good. I think the Lochmaben Golf Course is a hidden jewel and I look forward to the time when I can return and play again.

This Braid built course is a very attractive course laid out surrounding a loch which is also a bird sanctuary. The Course is in excellent condition. Note hole No. 2 a par 3 stroke index 4 - the only hole in the course with no bunkers!!!

The Telephone No. Is Wrong. It Should Be (01387) 810552

A Very Good Course. I Really Enjoyed My Round Here. The Course Is Much Better Since It Was Upgraded To 18holes. [email protected]