Playing golf in Scotland for less

There are ways to play golf for less than the normal high season green fees at all sorts of Scottish golf courses, including Open Championship links. Here's a few ideas you might find useful.

Green fees across Scotland range from under £20 a round to hundreds of pounds, so it's always worth seeing if you can make some savings. When you travel and what time you play can make a difference as can seeking out combination tickets that offer reductions.

1. Travel early in the year

High season green fees often don't start till May, so you may grab a bargain on an early golf trip. April play can offer savings of up to 50% on high season green fees and Scottish weather can be excellent as days get longer.

In central Scotland the sunset in mid-April is around 8:30 pm.

Just a few examples of savings based on 2020 green fees (we know April travel is an issue this year but the principle will also apply next year) include Crail Balcomie at £60 in April versus £98 high season, Moray Old is £80, saving £40 per golfer on high season, Gailes Links is £50 rather than £95 and Royal Aberdeen £95 instead of £195.

It's always worth checking April rates!

The 13th and 14th holes of the Balcomie Links at Crail Golfing Society in Fife

2. Play later in the day

If you don't mind playing a little later in the day, twilight rates in summer are less than full green fees.

Not all courses offer twilight rates but there's a good selection that do. For example, save £45 on the Kittocks course tee-ing off ater 3pm, or £40 at each of Brora, Leven or Tain. Save £35 at Boat of Garten after 4pm.

Days and times vary but check for twilight rates if not an early riser or you want a late or 2nd round. With long days during the Scottish summer there's plenty of time to take advantage.

3. Four Ball rates

Some golf courses offer a 4 ball group rate.

For example at Boat of Garten the 4 ball rates saves £25 per person on normal green fees. At Kilmarnock Barassie it's a £15 saving and at Gailes Links a £25 saving per golfer.

The 2nd fairway of Boat of Garten Golf Club in the Scottish Highlands

4. Look at Itison.com

Itison.com, a voucher site covering Scotland and the North of England, frequently offers reduced green fee deals, including during high season.

5. Check for special offers

A few Scottish courses have regular special offers, sometimes to encourage golfers on quieter days.

Blair Atholl has Fab Fridays, with 18 holes followed by a soup and sandwich for £25. Pitlochry has wonderful Wednesdays where 18 holes costs £25 and Tain has a special rate after 2pm on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons when you can play the course for £35, a 50% saving on the normal high season green fee.

6. Play in an Open

You can play for a fraction of normal green fees in an amateur Open Competition. Golf Empire is your resource for amateur Open golf competitions across the UK, or check on course websites.

Entries for the whole year are generally open around February / March with full information displayed on most course websites.

7. Buy a Golf Pass

See our separate blog post for more details on the options available.

Further Information:

Published: 24 March 2020