West Course

at Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club

Location: Kirknewton, Scotland | Style: Parkland | Length: 5,168 yards | Par: 68 | Designer: James Braid

Set within Dalmahoy's 1,000-acre estate on the outskirts of Edinburgh, the West Course is the more approachable of the resort's two layouts, but it is far from a throwaway round. Measuring 5,168 yards from the white tees and playing to a par of 68, it is designed to reward accuracy, tidy course management, and a confident short game rather than outright power. Dalmahoy positions it as the ideal complement to the championship East Course, and one that suits beginners, occasional golfers, and mixed-ability groups particularly well.

What makes the West Course especially appealing for a golf holiday is its flexibility. The routing can be shortened to 9 or 13 holes, making it a practical option for arrival-day golf, a relaxed second round, or a lighter resort day built around the spa, dining, and leisure facilities. With four tees on every hole, it is also set up to cater for players of different ages and standards, which adds to its broad appeal for couples, societies, and leisure breaks near Edinburgh.

Course highlights

• Shorter but strategic layout that places the emphasis on accuracy off the tee and touch around the greens rather than brute force.
• Flexible routing with the option to play 9 or 13 holes, ideal for shorter resort stays or a warm-up round.
• Strong all-abilities appeal thanks to the more forgiving overall set-up than the East Course.
• A useful contrast to the East Course, giving visitors two very different golf experiences on one estate.

Signature Holes

The signature hole for the West Course lies on its shortest, the par 3 16th. It features a closely guarded green with a river on the approach and surrounding rough placed on a steep hill.

Clubhouse & amenities

Dalmahoy’s golf offering is backed by strong resort infrastructure, making the West Course an easy fit for a stay-and-play break. Practice facilities include:

• 12-bay floodlit driving range
• 9-hole putting green
• Short-game area
• 9-hole pitch-and-putt course.

Golf facilities are based within the hotel's leisure club, where players also have access to changing rooms, lockers, and showers.

Away from the course, the wider resort adds plenty of post-golf appeal. Dalmahoy offers a four-star hotel experience with 215 rooms and suites, two restaurants and bars, a leisure club with swimming pool. Dining options include the Brasserie for relaxed meals and the James Braid Bar for casual food and drinks before or after your round.

Did You Know?

There are stunning views to be admired across the whole Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, but get in the right spot and you can see as far as the Forth Bridges and Edinburgh Castle.