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Byne Hill from Girvan beach

Parkland · James Braid's last design · 1951

Stranraer Golf Club (Creachmore)

Braid came out of retirement to draw this one, on a hillside over Loch Ryan — and it costs £50.

ModerateParkland18 holesVisitors dailyBuggies

Pictured: Byne Hill from Girvan beach — a general view of the area, not of this place.

Just north-west of Stranraer on the Leswalt road, Stranraer Golf Club occupies a hillside above Loch Ryan with long views across the water to Ailsa Craig and, on a clear day, Arran. James Braid designed it in 1950, his last commission, and did not live to see it open in 1951; the members are rightly proud of it. It is rolling parkland with mature trees and only one par-five but several long par-fours, and although a few holes run down to the loch shore — the spectacular par-four fifth drops from an elevated tee to a fairway far below with the water waiting right — most of the course is inland and hilly. The greens have a strong reputation; reviewers rate conditions excellent. Slope 132, course rating 72.2, so it plays harder than its length.

2026 green fees (club tariff)

SeasonFee
Spring/summer, 16 March – 17 October: 18 holes£50
27 holes£75
Day rate£90
Twilight after 3pm£35
Autumn/winter, 18 October – 15 March: 18 holes (any day)£25
Winter day rate£30
Two rounds on consecutive days£90
Five rounds, one per day Mon–Fri£175

Juniors under 18 half price with an adult. Societies quoted on request.

Facilities

Lounge and bar with all-day catering, a pro shop described by the club as state-of-the-art, club and buggy hire, and accommodation suggestions on the website. Opens for men and ladies through the season. Visitors are welcome on weekdays with restricted availability at weekends — book ahead.

Who it suits

Holiday golfers who want a well-kept, scenic course with a real bar and an honest price; Braid completists; the first round of a Rhins day before Portpatrick. 31 miles and about 45 minutes from Girvan; the train to Stranraer and a short taxi works too.

Prices and visitor policies checked August 2026 against the club's own website and cross-checked with independent golf guides. Clubs revise rates every season and restrict visitor times around competitions, so confirm directly before you book.

Questions visitors ask

Frequently asked

How much is a round at Stranraer Golf Club?

£50 for 18 holes in summer (16 March–17 October), £35 after 3pm, and £25 any day in winter, per the club's published fees. Two rounds on consecutive days are £90.

Who designed Stranraer Golf Club?

James Braid — it was his last course, designed in 1950 and opened in 1951 after his death.

Is it really James Braid's last course?

Yes. He designed it in 1950, his final commission, and died before it opened in 1951. The members are rightly proud of the fact and it draws Braid completists from a long way off.

What are the views like?

It sits on a hillside above Loch Ryan with long views across the water to Ailsa Craig and, on a clear day, Arran.

Is it a links course?

No — undulating parkland, with some holes running down towards the loch. It is a different proposition from the Ayrshire links and none the worse for it.

What is the winter rate?

£25 for 18 holes any day from 18 October to 15 March, or £30 for a day ticket. That is remarkable value for a top-100 Scottish course.

Are there multi-round deals?

Yes — two rounds on consecutive days for £90, or five rounds Monday to Friday for £175. Juniors under 18 play half price with an adult.

Can visitors play at weekends?

Weekdays are freely available; weekends have restricted availability, so book ahead.

How do you get there from Girvan?

31 miles and about 45 minutes by car. The train to Stranraer and a short taxi also works.

Keep exploring

Related pages

Girvan beach in summer

Portpatrick Dunskey

Portpatrick Dunskey (1903) is a clifftop par-70 of 5,913 yards above the Irish Sea, with the 9-hole par-3 Dinvin alongside. 2026 green fees: £60 for 18 holes, £50 twilight, £80 day ticket, £15 for the Dinvin, juniors half price.

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Girvan seafront villas below the Carrick hills

Wigtownshire County, Glenluce

Wigtownshire County ('the County', Glenluce) is an 18-hole par-70 true links on the shore of Luce Bay, founded 1894 — flat, easily walked, playable all year. Verified 2026 fees: £60 for 18 holes, £85 day ticket, £180 week ticket, £35 twilight; winter £35/£20 for 9; buggies £30 a round. 50 minutes from Girvan.

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Girvan from the seafront

Stranraer

Stranraer, 31 miles south of Girvan and the end of the railway line, is the gateway to the Rhins of Galloway — Stranraer Museum, the Castle of St John, a regenerating waterfront, Loch Ryan's wild oysters, Castle Kennedy Gardens and the September Oyster Festival.

31 miles · 45 minHeritageRainy-day
Girvan harbour

Stranraer and the Rhins

The long southern day from Girvan — Castle Kennedy Gardens, Portpatrick harbour and the cliff walk to Dunskey Castle, Logan Botanic Garden's tree ferns and palms, and the Mull of Galloway lighthouse at Scotland's southern tip. About 130 miles.

CarLong day
Girvan harbour

Courses with sea views

The most scenic golf near Girvan, ranked by the view — Turnberry's Ailsa (lighthouse ninth) and Bruce (clifftop ninth), Girvan's front eight facing Ailsa Craig, Portpatrick's 13th with Ireland on the horizon, Stranraer's 5th above Loch Ryan, Wigtownshire County on Luce Bay, Prestwick St Nicholas, Western Gailes and Belleisle's views to Arran.

Sea viewsScenic