Thornhill Golf Club

It was another glorious day and the course was looking immaculate.

Shame about the slowest 2 ball in history playing in front of me and not once did they offer me to play through - can’t blame the club though.

Shame the bar / restaurant doesn’t open on a Monday but plenty of amenities in Thornhill itself.

The weather and course was superb as always, shame about some 4 balls and slow play but nothing the Club could do about it.

Managed to get a late afternoon Sunday booking at short notice and thoroughly enjoyed playing this magnificent course again.

The course was in immaculate condition as always and the changes and improvements made round the course have only improved the overall experience.

Whilst the weather was changeable the course was immaculate and the fairways and greens in terrific condition.

Great course and beautiful scenery around the golf course. Very friendly staff and well put out golf course

Following a number of weeks dry weather the fairways were slightly brown but in great condition, the greens were excellent.

Whilst it was very wet & windy the surrounding trees offered some respite if required.

The weather was perfect and matched the course conditions.

The fairways and greens were perfect and a very enjoyable round of golf.

The staff and members were also very friendly and helpful.

I would certainly recommend Thornhill for a great round of golf.

Only issue was clubhouse was closed so no option for a drink/coffee before and after the round.

Thornhill course was in great condition and some of the recent changes to the course have made some great improvements.

Even in the drizzling rain it was an enjoyable round and the staff and members were, as always, very friendly.

This truly is a beautiful course to play with some taxing holes for all handicaps

The course has undergone some redesign and the changes have really made this into a stunning course and unbeatable on a sunny day

Played this today, course was in great condition for the start of the season, only downside was still playing off winter tee boxes, apart from that I really couldn't fault this course. Was our first visit and will definitely play this again when back in the area. Highly recommend a visit

Great golf course. A good test for all golfers. The course was in great condition and lovely greens. Great value. We had a great day. Will definitely be back. Thank you. 👍

First impressions looked really nice the course looked good the weather was perfect. Temp tee off which was OK. Plenty off bins and ball washers and not far to go to next tee. Would recommend signs on some off the tee offs so you now what path to go. The course itself was in very good condition the greens were abit dry in need off some watering but ok to play. Enjoyed playing the course and will definitely come back when main tee off are open. Wasn't sure if it has a shop did look to get a drink after our game but nobody or nothing seems open maybe next time when we come back in the summer not to worry . Can't fault the course and the facilities it has to go with it maybe look at better scorecards more information on the the course like distance from tees and course layout and what par it is just suggestions for the future but defo come back

Following extreme wet weather the course was still playable and in good conditions.

Main problem is no staff available - for a visitor can be slightly off putting.

Course was pure white but with the Winter Tee's and Winter Greens, along with the portable fairway mats it was an enjoyable round of golf

First time at Thornhill at was really surprised at the condition of the fairways and greens despite the recent weather, they were in excellent condition apart from one hole where the tractor had left tyre marks on the fairway, was easy enough to drive over the damage though, thinking of joining as a country member next year as my second club, definitely worth the cost and the travel from Beattock, if you are looking for an inexpensive round of golf on an inland parkland course then go for it.

Excellent course in good condition. Friendly staff. Highly recommended

Brilliant course.

Such a great day, great set up and condition!

Couldn’t ask for a better course considering the money.

Staff were lovely too.

Not too much of a pro shop on site so make sure you have all your stuff prior. (Not a bad thing at all)

Would go back in a heartbeat

Thornhill is a fine golf course, blending heathland and classic parkland effectively over its rolling hills, none of them too severe to walk. It is accessible to higher handicap golfers but, at the other end of the spectrum, will provide enough challenges to satisfy scratch golfers. The serene and isolated setting allows terrific views to surrounding area and the Keir Hills beyond. The layout itself offers a solid mix of longer par-4s combined with some interesting short ones--holes where you can catch your breath and perhaps card a birdie--along with three contrasting par-5s.

Although the course runs 6102 yards from the back tees, this is mostly offset by enough wrinkles and hazards built into the short par-4s to keep you on your toes.

If the wind happens to be in your face on the longer par-4s, then that, too, will add to the overall challenge. Players should not be lulled into a false sense of security here: the course slopes at 128. Those short par-4s that seem driveable are accessible mainly to true power hitters who are also accurate.

General Features:

The main hazards at Thornhill include frequent bunkers, large stretches of rough, and plenty of trees, appearing in lines or as dense woods. The light rough is not penal but the denser, field-like stretches of it (which sometimes includes gorse and heather) will likely swallow your ball permanently. Generally, the fairways are more than ample enough to stay in play, as long as you’re controlling your tee and approach shots reasonably. A few of fairways here are more tightly guarded by both trees and rough. Greenside bunkers are generally of moderate size and depth.

Careful green design, one of the strengths of this course, shows up in their variety of size, shape and pitch. Greens often provide some form or opening in the front, allowing shorter hitters avenues to run the ball onto the putting surfaces. This feature was especially notable on par-3s, in contrast to many modern courses, which clearly favor the aerial route to the target. Further still, this accessibility allows the player the option to bump and run short chips and even pitches from greenside areas. I found myself trying this option several times. Some of the greens have pronounced pitch; what stands out to me are the fourth, thirteenth, fourteenth, and eighteenth, among others. These intensify the putting challenge greatly, but also make approach shots tricky to judge.

Notable Holes:

A veritable monster of a par 4, the fourth opens with a driving zone that requires careful positioning—far enough away from the elbow of this dogleg to open up the green. For most players, the even more demanding approach should require a hybrid or fairway wood into a an elevated and two-tiered putting surface. Another strong and long (437 yards ) par-4 is the 13th, set by a pasture. It demands a driver off the tee. For the approach, most players will need a long club into the beautifully pitched green. Catching the slightly wayward approach shot is a bunker short and left; a large dropoff behind the green will send over-aggressive approaches scurrying down the back side embankment.

Six, a lengthy par-4, may be the most scenic hole on the course: a great, expansive backdrop is in view from tee to green, as the fairway drops downhill toward the pleasant town of Thornhill, set back in the distance. The fairway rolls markedly on its path to a tricky green, which is set upon a slight plateau and backed by a line of fir trees.

Among the quartet of par-3s, the two on the inward half stand out. Fourteen is short but deceptive, its green semi-blind from the tee. The #5 index, the 200-yard sixteenth impresses as a neat, bunker-flanked hole with a wide frontal opening to the green, allowing the player an option of running the ball onto the putting surface.

Both par-5s on the incoming nine rate well on scoring resistance, although the 18th provides a slightly better birdie opportunity. The fifteenth, tight and trouble-laden from tee to green, is an exercise in precision. A par-5 of 521, the closing hole encourages long hitters to reach the green in two. Yet the rolling green, not far from the clubhouse, is surrounded by four bunkers and blind from the distant fairway from which the second shot will be struck. A birdie must still be well-earned at eighteen.

Conditions:

Impressive: conditioning ranged from good to excellent. The greens stand out for their smoothness and relative quickness, but they’re never overwhelming, even on significant slopes. Fairways, apart from the low-lying 15th, were in good shape. Greenside areas were well-tended, and bunkers kept well.

Some Conclusions:

Clubhouse service was friendly and accommodating, pace of play good, and the value for my eighteen-hole round excellent. It did not surprise me to read on the clubhouse wall that Andrew Coltart, a 1999 Ryder Cup player, was a four-time Junior Champion at Thornhill, from 1984-87. That’s a pretty fair endorsement for this golf course.

The layout turned out to be a good but fair test and my round an enjoyable one. By the time I had reached the third hole, a short but tight par-4, and then the fourth, it was clear that Thornhill would be putting up a fight. There are straightforward holes here and those of more complexity. Doglegs, well-placed bunkers, out of bounds, and a few water hazards are part of the mix. Another plus: fairways that are broad enough--in many cases--to use your driver without much fear.

The back nine, both a bit tougher than the front but also brimming with character, adds some holes with a moorland feel. It also has the best stretch of holes on the course--running from ten through fifteen.

All in all, Thornhill is the kind of place that makes an ample case for Scottish inland golf. As an American golfer, I'm well aware that too many of us will make a beeline for links courses on a trip to the UK, too often not realizing just how good the many high-quality, non-coastal options like this one are.

By all means play this course when you're in Dumfries & Galloway.