Lockerbie Golf Club

The course sits just outside Dumfries, a proper test of golf if you know what you're doing but welcoming enough for mid-handicappers too. Eighteen holes wind through Dumfries & Galloway's gentle rolling landscape - nothing dramatic, but pleasant enough if you're the type who enjoys a peaceful round without the ego of a championship venue. The greens are well-maintained and the par 69 layout means you're not battling monster distances all day.

You'll get the most out of it if you're a regular golfer staying in the area rather than a beginner looking to take up the sport on holiday. Families with non-golfing members might find themselves with a three-hour gap to fill while one person plays, though the proximity to Dumfries town centre helps sort that problem.

It's a members' club primarily, so check their website for visitor rates and booking requirements - they do take green fees but it's worth confirming availability first. Allow roughly three and a half hours for a round. The course is accessible year-round, though autumn and spring offer the best conditions without getting waterlogged.

If you're holed up at Halleaths Caravan Park nearby, you've got it on your doorstep. Cressfield and Hoddom Castle are both close enough for a morning round before heading elsewhere. It fits neatly into a wider Dumfries & Galloway holiday without demanding much planning - just turn up with your handicap certificate and decent shoes.