Cally Palace Hotel

First time playing this course and I have to say what a fantastic layout. Conditions are good considering it’s not a busy course with a huge membership and they will be working with a smaller budget. Few animal scrapes but overall what a stunning location. Mobile reception is poor so if you are looking to use apps you might struggle to connect. £30 for a round is exceptional value and I would highly recommend it.

First day the greens not cut but fine the next day

This was my second time playing here and will definitely be backed, greens were in superb condition, fairways could have done with a cut but I thing the constant and daily change in the weather may have caused certain areas of grass just to shoot up, they were still firm and your ball just ran. Value for money, definitely it's up there with possibly some course charging double or more compared to Caley Palce, if you get the chance give it a go you will not be disappointed

It is testament to the layout at Cally Palace that the poor quality of its greens did little to spoil my enjoyment of the course. The tightness of some holes needs to be seen to be believed, but never feels unfair, and the design does a brilliant job of approaching the “madness” boundary without ever fully stepping beyond it.

The 590-yard 8th (Braefoot) is probably one of the hardest par-5s in Britain, but is possibly some how just about matched in difficulty by the much shorter (but infinitely more awkward) par-5 13th (Palace View).

The opening and final holes bookend your round beautifully, as you leave the Palace behind on the first when making your approach toward the property’s grand central lake. Your return will be complete on the eighteenth with a striking glade-like finale which takes you through the surrounding Galloway forest trees.

For me the star hole is the more subtle but intriguing test of the 332-yard par-4 7th (The Hummock). A very precise tee is shot is required, with the fairway narrowing dramatically at the 200-yard mark. Attempting to take the trees out of play is possible, but will require a long hit. The risk/reward element may tempt big hitters into spoiling their cards, but laying back does not guarantee an easy approach either, especially with the large bank in front of the green. A very solid test of accuracy where good shots and shot-making will be rewarded.

As mentioned, the greens will leave much to be desired here. Were they brought up to a more acceptable level, this place would deserve serious attention. As it stands, it is still somewhere anyone in the area should look to play. A very enjoyable afternoon.

Very nice course with a challenge for every level. Beautiful layout in a scenic and lovely environment. A great day and we came back to play the next day and had another wonderful day! Next time will stay and play from the lovely hotel/palace attached. Thank you to Cally staff we hope to be back!

I have played the course a number of times and the greens have always been poor, on this occasion I would say they were the worst greens I have ever played on which is a shame as the layout it the course is very good. This comment is not a reflection on the work of the greenkeeper it clearly down to a lack of investment by the owners.It would take a lot of work and money to get the greens to an acceptable standard.

Great layout, challenging and makes you really think your way around as very tight and little room for error. It had been wet in previous days and the course held up well to the water for an inland park course. Unfortunately ruined by the worst greens I've ever played on which can't be attributed to the weather. Mostly moss, covered in debris, the little grass hadn't been cut in weeks with aged but pronounced hollow tining. Putting and chipping onto the green and absolute lottery. May be a bit better in the summer but it's hard to see how the greens could be improved without digging them up and starting again. I'm inclined to believe other than an intermittent cut, the greens hadnt had any significant maintenance in months, possibly years. Shame, could be an absolute gem with the right care. Course is an after thought and possibly a financial burden on the hotel.

Fantastic course in great condition for the time of the year. Set in stunning surroundings with some very challenging holes. Will definitely play here again

Great location, in beautiful surroundings. Course in excellent condition, nice layout without having to walk up and down hills. Staff service second to none. Highly recommend this course.

Fantastic condition on the course , superb layout of the course. I would recommend this course to anyone visiting the area. Far better the local course. Great value

Still no warm up net, practice green not in good condition,some fairways poorly cut. The main problem remains the par 5 s from the yellow trees . A 579 yardage on the first par 5 is far too long. The other two are just too hard.

Having played it many times before, I was surprised at how much it has improved this year. It looked phenomenal, the greens which were always poor, were in fantastic condition. They were maybe a bit slow but the ball was running true.

They are running a fantastic membership deal just now as well.

Ok but could be a great course with a bit more time & money spent on raising the standards!

Staff not great especially when I asked for a golf cart & told none available as all being used. The whole time we were out , we never saw another golfer playing!

This course has lots of potential and as such it was just lacking that bit of tlc. Greens weren't that great but ran true and you were able to stop on them. Bunkers were however first class ha.

13 & 15 signature holes were beasts, need a more updated map and a course layout wouldn't go a miss either.

Recreational golfers limit ideal.

Fun day out though.

I play off 11.1 so I am a reasonable player, mostly straight but not super-long. I play, and can score, on many different courses round the country.

The course in general was tidy, with the greens a fair pace and the rough not penal.

The first 12 holes were consistently fair, though some holes were quite tight driving.

Things degenerated on the 13th. The landing area for the second shot on the 13th was far too narrow - you had a choice between a pond on the right and thick rough on the left. Playing it for the first time, there was no obvious bailout option, which is not good design. Therafter, there were a few further examples e.g 18th drive, where the course seems to be maintained by non-golfers, with no acknowledgement of the need for a playable route. For high handicaps, I think this would be a depressing last 6 holes.

Overall, good 12 holes, 13th needs a rethink (clear the rough down the left, even if the lie would be uneven), trim overhanging branches near teeing areas. Ask a mid-handicap golfer if you need input!