Golspie Golf Club Archives -

Scottish Winter Green Fee Deals – Highlands & The North East

By Tom Kelly - TheHomeofGolf | October 23, 2018

Plenty Winter Green Fee
Deals To Keep The Golf
Clubs Out Over The Winter

There is no doubt that winter is approaching but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the golf season for all of us! The reason I say this is because I have been looking at what some Scottish golf clubs are offering, in terms of winter green fee deals and winter memberships over the coming months.

We are very fortunate in Scotland to have so many links & coastal courses that are playable throughout most of the winter, without having to use winter greens. As a result, this can be a great time to golf on Scottish links/coastal courses for a fraction of the price….albeit, with an extra layer or two of clothing!

Most courses are so much quieter at this time of year and, in many cases, the winter green fee has been discounted by 30-70% or more from the summer rate. Furthermore, if you are lucky enough to have the course to yourself, on crisp winter day, with little or no wind and clear blue skies, you may start to convince yourself that there is no better time, than the winter, to play links golf in Scotland.

The Home of Golf - Cruden Bay - Winter Green Fee — Cruden Bay on a late winter afternoon

I have picked out a number of links/coastal courses in the Highlands and the North East, this week, that are not only offering great discount deals but are also likely to have their full course open all winter. Over the next couple of weeks, I will be highlighting more courses throughout the other regions of Scotland that are also offering great winter green fee deals over the next few months.

Take a quick look at our post from last month ‘Golfing in the Winter’ (click here) – it’s a short checklist which highlights 17 things that you may want to consider before booking your next winter round.

Highlands – Winter Green Fee Deals

Reay GC
www.reaygolfclub.co.uk

The most northerly 18-hole links course on mainland Britain.

Round: £15 winter green fee from October to 31 March 2019

Winter Membership: £90 from October to 31 March 2019

The Home of Golf - North Coast 500 - Winter Green Fee — Reay GC

Wick Golf Club
www.wickgolfclub.org.uk

The outstanding feature of Wick Golf Course is the sand dunes that run the length of the course. This links course is a classic ‘straight-out-straight-back’ layout, with amazing views over Sinclair Bay, out to the Noss Head peninsula and its lighthouse!

Round: £20 winter green fee from November to March 2019

Golspie GC
www.golspiegolfclub.co.uk

Designed by James Braid, Golspie GC is situated on the Dornoch Firth and is a mix of classic links, heathland and parkland holes.

Round: £15 winter green fee from October to 31 March 2019

Royal Dornoch GC
www.royaldornoch.com

Royal Dornoch draws many people to the area because it is regarded as one of the best courses in the world and few would argue with that! This winter you can play the course for £90 which is less than half the price of next summer’s rate.

Round: £90 winter green fee from November to 31 March 2019

Tain GC
www.tain-golfclub.co.uk

Tain is an Old Tom Morris designed links that overlooks the Dornoch Firth. It has everything that you would expect from a top quality links course in this region; undulating fairways, heather and gorse, a meandering burn, sea views and greens that are in good condition throughout the year.

Round: £28-30 winter green fee from 1 November to 31 March 2019

Fortrose & Rosemarkie GC
www.fortrosegolfclub.co.uk

This award-winning links course sits on a peninsula, flanked by the Moray Firth. Fort George lies just across the water, Chanonry lighthouse sits at the end of the course and after your round, you can unwind in the recently refurbished clubhouse which has great views over the course, the Moray Firth and surrounding area!

Round: £25 (M-F) £35 (w/end) winter green fee from 1 November to 10 March 2019

Nairn GC
www.nairngolfclub.co.uk

This is a true championship links course and it has held numerous national and international events over the years. Plenty of gorse and heather guard the fairways, so accuracy will win over length. The views of the Moray Firth, on all the holes, make this former Walker Cup course a scenic delight in the Highlands.

Round: £50 winter green fee from 1 November through to 27 March 2019

Nairn Dunbar GC
www.nairndunbar.com

Nairn Dunbar sits on the east side of Nairn and is a challenging 6,700+ yard, par 72 course. This championship links course is situated on the Moray Firth coast and provides a good test of golf, with great views to match.

Round: £25 winter green fee from November to 31 March 2019

The Home of Golf - Nairn Dunbar - Winter Green Fee — Nairn Dunbar GC

Castle Stuart Golf Links

Castle Stuart Golf Links would be on the ‘Highlands’ list but it closes over the winter from 17^thNov until 29^thMarch 2019.

North East – Winter Green Fee Deals

The Home of Golf - Winter Green Fee — Winter Golf route in the North East of Scotland

Hopeman GC
www.hopemangolf.club

“The 12th hole at Hopeman Golf Club is one of the best par 3s I have ever played”
as quoted by Paul Lawrie, Open Champion 1999.

They have a number of other holes that you’ll enjoy. Furthermore, this is a real hidden gem in the North East and worth stopping at.

Round: £15 winter green fee from October to December 2018

Winter Membership – £100 to 31 March 2019

Moray GC – Old & New
www.moraygolf.co.uk

The Old Course at Moray Golf Club is a fine links course indeed. A classic links, designed by Old Tom Morris, with deep bunkers, undulating, gorse-lined fairways and smooth fast greens. As a result, it’s ideal for winter golf and has a great 6 month winter membership deal at £150.

Round: Old Course – £30 winter green fee from 1 November to 31 December 2018
Round: New Course – £15 winter green fee from 1 November to 31 December 2018

Winter Membership – £150 from October to March 2019

The Home of Golf - Moray GC - Winter Green Fee — 1st tee Moray Golf Club

Buckpool GC
www.buckpoolgolf.com

Elevated above sea level, Buckpool Golf Course has great views across the Moray Firth towards the hills of Caithness. You will encounter gorse-lined fairways, challenging greens and cavernous bunkers to test your game!

Winter Membership – £150

Strathlene GC
www.strathlenegolfclub.co.uk

Strathlene is a cliff top links style course with fabulous view over the Moray Firth.

Round: £12 winter green fee from October to 31 March 2019

Winter Membership – £80 from October to March 2019

Cullen Links
www.cullenlinksgolf.co.uk

Cullen Links is a short but interesting true links course. It was originally a 9 hole course laid out by Old Tom Morris but has been extended to 18 holes. The views, from the elevated position on the 7^thtee, over the course and out to the Moray Firth are worth the visit and, incredibly, £50 will get you 5 months winter membership until the end of March 2019. Seems like a bargain to me!

Round: £15 winter green fee to 31 March 2019

Winter Membership – £50

The Home of Golf - Cullen Links - Winter Green Fee

Inverallochy GC
www.inverallochygolfclub.com

Inverallochy is an 18 hole links course with sea views on every hole. It is a short course with six par 3s, three of which are around the 200 yard mark. As with most links courses, it will feel like twice the length, if the wind gets the better of you.

Round: £10 winter green fee to 31 March 2019

Winter Membership – £100 from 1 October to 1 March 2019

Peterhead GC
www.peterheadgolfclub.co.uk

As you arrive at the car park at Peterhead Golf Club, you may think you’ve taken a wrong turn. Fear not, access, to the course, is by foot across the bridge, over the River Ugie which gives the course a feeling of seclusion. The Craigewan Links at Peterhead has got some great holes once you reach the dunes area and when you add in the views, you’ll be well satisfied at the end of 18 holes.

Round: £35 winter green fee from 1 November to 31 March 2019

Cruden Bay GC
www.crudenbaygolfclub.co.uk

If you haven’t played Cruden Bay before then, I would suggest putting it on your golfing bucket list, if you’re a fan of links golf. In the late afternoon, the shadows cast by the undulating fairways, in the setting sun, make this course all the more dramatic. Additionally, the views looking down onto the course, from the elevated clubhouse at the end of the day, are spectacular and will leave a lasting memory. It is £55 to play over the winter but more than double that to play the course next summer.

Round: £55 winter green fee from 1 November to 31 March 2019

Winter Membership – £235 from 1 November to 31 March 2019

Newburgh on Ythan GC
www.newburghgolfclub.co.uk

Another hidden gem in this region, Newburgh on Ythan has been overshadowed by Cruden Bay to the north and Murcar & Royal Aberdeen to the south. Go and play it and then tell everyone about it.

Round: £30 winter green fee from November to 8 March 2019

Trump International
www.trumpgolfscotland.com

On my first visit to Trump International Golf Links at Aberdeen, I couldn’t help but feel similarities with Cruden Bay, in terms of the views looking down on the course from the clubhouse. Unsurprising really, as there is only 16 miles between them. £75 (plus proof of Scottish residency) will get you a game here which is a sizeable discount off their standard summer green fee.

Round: £75 winter green fee from 1 Nov to 31 Dec 2018 for those with proof of Scottish residency

The Home of Golf - Trump International - Winter Green Fee — Trump International Golf Links, Aberdeen

Murcar Links
www.murcarlinks.com

Murcar Links is 10 minutes from Aberdeen and sits amongst the sand dunes, heather and whins of this fine golf coast. It held a European Tour event in 2015, the Paul Lawrie Match Play, where Kiradech Aphibarnrat beat Robert Karlsson in the final.

Round: £55 winter green fee from 1 November to 31 March 2019

Winter Membership: £180 from November to 28 February 2019

Royal Aberdeen GC
www.royalaberdeengolf.com

Right next door to Murcar is Royal Aberdeen – the Balgownie links at Royal Aberdeen has been host to many national and international events throughout the years but the most notable recent European Tour event was the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open in July 2014 where Justin Rose won by 2 shots over the chasing pack. You can play between the end of October and 14 April 2019 for £90, which is less than half the price of a round next summer.

Round: £90 winter green fee from 26 October to 14 April 2019

The Home of Golf - Royal Aberdeen - Winter Green Fee

Stonehaven GC
www.stonehavengolfclub.com

The cliff top course at Stonehaven Golf Club maybe short but the elevation changes and the wind will make it feel longer. The stunning views of the North Sea, Stonehaven Bay and also Dunnottar Castle will simply add to the experience.

Round: £12 winter green fee from October to 31 January 2019

NEXT BLOG POST: Wednesday 31 October 2018 – If this week’s blog is too far north for you, I’ll be taking a look, next week, at what the courses in the Angus & Fife regions are offering over the winter.

Forget Black Friday – up to 70% off Scottish Green Fees

By Tom Kelly - TheHomeofGolf | November 30, 2017

It would be safe to say winter has arrived! We’ve had snow, frost, rain, Black Friday has been and gone, Cyber Monday went in a flash and it’s December tomorrow!

The Home Of Golf Next thing on the ‘to do’ list is Christmas Shopping!

So you’ve put together your wish list of what you’d like for Christmas from your pro’s shop but there is always the issue of what to get the golfing partner/wife/husband/brother/sister/mother/father in your life?

Well, one popular idea is to send them off on a short golf trip at the start of 2018 – better still, you could go with them!

Up to 70% discount off Scottish Green Fees – you won’t find that on Amazon!

If you’re prepared to play before the start of the warmer months (April/May) then you’ll beat most Black Friday or Cyber Monday discount deals, that’s for sure!

I’ve listed some links/coastal courses that are likely to be in better condition in the first quarter of 2018 than most of the inland /parkland courses.

All these courses are offering big discounts for playing in the first three months of next year, making them an ideal golfing Christmas gift.

Please read through our ‘Winter Golf Checklist’ before booking.

Highlands

Brora Golf Club
www.broragolfclub.co.uk

The scenery & seabird life on this links course will do its utmost to distract you from concentrating on your golf! This beautiful course hugs the North Sea coastline on the front 9, so wrap up well when the wind blows!

Winter green fee – £40 from now until 31 March 2018
(40%+ discount off April’s standard green fee)

Standard green fee – £68 from 1 April 2018

Golspie Golf Club
www.golspiegolfclub.co.uk

Golf has been play here for over 125 years! The course is a mix of links and parkland/heathland and will test your golfing strategy.

Winter green fee – £20 from now until 31 March 2018
(66% discount off April’s standard green fee)

Standard green fee – £60 from 1 April 2018

Tain Golf Club
www.tain-golfclub.co.uk

Tain is another course with over 125 years of golfing history behind it. However, it is somewhat over shadowed by its illustrious neighbour, Royal Dornoch. This 6,400-yard course is a mix of links and heathland and is a ‘must play’ if you are in the area.

Winter green fee – £22 from now until 31 March 2018
(63% discount off June’s standard green fee)

Standard green fee – £45 from 1 April – 31 May 2018
Standard green fee – £60 from 1 June 2018

Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club
www.fortrosegolfclub.co.uk

Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club sits on a peninsula called Chanonry Point on the Moray Firth, diagonally across the water from Castle Stuart Golf Links. The course isn’t long but what it lacks in length, it makes up for in the bunkering, gorse, small greens and the Moray Firth looming on many holes – a great challenge!

Winter green fee – £25 from now until 9 March 2018
(54% discount off the 10th March standard green fee)

Standard green fee – £55 from 10 March 2018

Nairn Golf Club
www.nairngolfclub.co.uk

This is a true championship links course and it has held numerous national and international championships over the years. The undulating fairways are guarded by plenty of gorse and heather, so accuracy will win over length. Views of the Moray Firth, on all the holes, make this former Walker Cup course one of the most scenic in the Highlands.

Winter green fee – £50 from now until 31 March 2018
(66% discount off May’s standard green fee)

Standard green fee – £100 from 1 – 30 April 2018
Standard green fee – £150 from 1 May 2018

Nairn Dunbar Golf Club
www.nairndunbar.com

Sitting towards the east side of Nairn, you will find this challenging 6,700+ yard, par 72 course a lot of fun to play. It has held a number of national championships and it will host many more in the future, on account of a lot of work going into the course in recent years.

Winter green fee – £25 from now until 31 March 2018
(70%+ discount off May’s standard green fee)

Standard green fee – £65 from 1 – 30 April 2018
Standard green fee – £85 from 1 May 2018

North East

Moray Golf Club – Old
www.moraygolf.co.uk

In terms of hidden gems in Scotland, the Old Course at Moray Golf Club must be close to the top of the list. Many golfers visiting the area simply aim for Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart & Nairn. What they don’t realise is that they are missing out of some of the best ‘value for money’ golf on excellent courses, stretching from Nairn to Fraserburgh – the Old Course links at Moray Golf Club is no exception.

Winter green fee – £30 from now until 31 March 2018
(70% discount off May’s standard green fee)

Standard green fee – £70 from 1 – 30 April 2018
Standard green fee – £100 from 1 May 2018

Moray Golf Club – New
www.moraygolf.co.uk

I haven’t played the New Course however it does share the same highly regarded turf and terrain as the Old Course, as they sit side by side. The greens are smaller, less bunkering and 700 yards shorter than the Old Course. Sounds ideal for playing 36 holes on the Old & the New in the same day!

Winter green fee – £15 from now until 31 March 2018
(70% discount off May’s standard green fee)

Standard green fee – £30 from 1 – 30 April 2018
Standard green fee – £50 from 1 May 2018

Peterhead Golf Club
www.peterheadgolfclub.co.uk

As you arrive at Peterhead Golf Club, you’ll be forgiven if you thought your SatNav has taken you to a remote car park instead of a golf course! You are in the right place and access to the course is by the bridge over the River Ugie – it gives the course a secluded feeling. The Craigewan Links at Peterhead has got some great holes once you reach the dunes area and when you add in the views, you’ll be well satisfied at the end of 18 holes.

Winter green fee – £30 from now until 30 April 2018
(53% discount off May’s standard green fee)

Standard green fee – £65 from 1 May 2018

Cruden Bay Golf Club
www.crudenbaygolfclub.co.uk

I first played Cruden Bay 30+ years ago, late on a summer’s evening. My lasting memories of that round were the shadows cast by the undulating fairways in the setting sun. It not only created a dramatic effect but also created doubt in my mind, making me question the severity of each shot on the closing holes. This is indeed one of our finest true links courses – it pretty much has it all in terms of links golf.

Winter green fee – £50 from now until 15 April 2018
(56% discount off April’s standard green fee)

Standard green fee – £115 from 16 April 2018

Newburgh-on-Ythan Golf Club
www.newburghgolfclub.co.uk

Newburgh-on-Ythan is definitely a hidden Scottish gem. Over the years it has been overshadowed by Cruden Bay to the north and Murcar & Royal Aberdeen to the south. With the addition of Trump International, 2-3 miles south of the course, my concern is that this course remains over shadowed. Go and play it and then tell everyone about it.

We’ve listed the winter rates at £30 as their official rate but I know you can play the course next week, for example, for £18 – the winter course is on the normal greens (weather permitting) but the course has been shortened by 800 yards (yellow tees). Even if you wait until the full course is in operation in April, at £40 it’s still a bargain!

Winter green fee – £30 from now until 31 March 2018
(25% discount off April’s standard green fee)

Standard green fee – £40 from 1 April 2018

Fife

Leven Golf Club
www.leven-links.com

As a former qualifying course for the Open Championship, you know you are playing on a top track! When the wind blows here, you can throw your yardage book out of your bag and unstrap your GPS watch and try and managed your way round without the gadgets. It’s a truly great links course, with a final hole that is in my top 5 finishing holes of all time. Get the woolly hats on – for £27.50 it’s a steal!

Winter green fee – £27.50 from now until 31 March 2018
(60% discount off April’s standard green fee)

Standard green fee – £70 from 1 April 2018

Lundin Golf Club
www.lundingolfclub.co.uk

Lundin Links sits side by side with Leven Links, separated by the Mile Dyke – their history is even closer! You will be tested on this Open qualifying course with deep bunkers, tight fairways, out of bounds, burns, the ever present wind but rewarded with excellent greens and an award winning clubhouse at the 19^th.

Winter green fee – £35 from now until 1 April 2018
(53% discount off May’s standard green fee)

Standard green fee – £45 from 2-29 April 2018
Standard green fee – £75 from 30 April 2018

The Golf House Club – Elie Links
www.golfhouseclub.co.uk

If someone suggested I play a course made up of 2x par 3s and 16x par 4s, my first thoughts would be that it sounds unusual and perhaps a bit monotonous. However, nothing could be further from the truth at The Golf House Club at Elie Links.

Golf has been played over these links since the sixteenth century, by all accounts! Old Tom Morris and James Braid have both been involved in the design of the current course layout. A submarine periscope, salvaged from the Royal Navy’s HMS Excalibur, is used to ensure the fairway ahead is clear at the first hole – unusual? Yes! And with no two holes the same, this course is a pleasure to play and anything but monotonous!

This course is highly regarded in Fife and further afield, and if you can get along to it before 25 March, you’ll save yourself 43% on green fees!

Winter green fee – £45 from now until 25 March 2018
(43% discount on standard green fee)

Standard green fee – £80 from 26 March 2018

And finally……

Please read through our ‘Winter Golf Checklist’ before booking any of the above courses.

NEXT WEEK:

I’ll be looking at courses in East Lothian, Angus, Dumfries & Galloway & Ayrshire next week for the final blog post of 2017!

Thanks for reading!

850 miles and 82 golf courses in 5 days….!

By Tom Kelly - TheHomeofGolf | October 12, 2017

Well, it’s been quite a week – it all started at 6:30am last Sunday morning as I left Edinburgh and headed north on a golfing research trip.

After 5 days travelling 850 miles, visiting 82 golf courses and discussing Scottish golf with dozens of golf club managers/secretaries, golf pros, golf club members and golfing visitors, I return exhausted but even more passionate about the quality of golf courses we have here in Scotland.

The Home of Golf - newtonmore — Sunrise at Newtonmore Golf Club

As I mentioned last Thursday, my intention for this week’s blog was to have a look at what discounted golf packages are available in the Highlands and North East for next year. Whilst I have picked out three packages, my view from this week’s trip is that the majority of green fees are already of exceptional value, particularly in the North East region.

The Highlands

The Dornoch Firth Pass (www.dornochfirthgolf.co.uk)

Royal Dornoch Championship Links
Struie (Dornoch)
Golspie Golf Club
Brora Golf Club
Tain Golf Club

The £40 Dornoch Firth Golf Pass gives you 25% off when you play Brora, Golspie, Tain and Royal Dornoch’s Championship Links and Struie course.

The card can be purchased at any of the courses and you then simply book your tee times direct with the golf club to receive the discount.   One thing I would point out is that pass holders can only play the Royal Dornoch Championship course after 2.00pm.

My calculations work out that (after paying £40 for the pass) you will make an overall saving of around 15% on the high season green fees.

The North East

Moray Firth Golf Pass (www.morayfirthgolf.co.uk)

Elgin Golf club
Forres Golf Club
Grantown on Spey
Hopeman Golf Club
Moray Golf Club – Old
Moray Golf Club – New
Nairn Dunbar Golf Club

The Moray Firth golf pass will cost you £15 for a 25% discount at the above seven clubs. The pass can only be used once at each club but it does offer you a saving of over £90 over seven of Moray Firth’s finest courses.

Banffshire Golf Pass

Royal Tarlair Golf Club
Cullen Links
Turriff Golf Club

This golf pass offers three rounds of golf for a total of £45 at the above golf clubs. In my opinion, teeing off next to the three kings (three rocks close to the first tee) and the stunning views at Cullen Links is worth the £45 alone!

If you were to pay for the three courses separately (without the pass) then this would cost you £76 – so the pass is worth around a 40% discount.

———-

In terms of my 850 mile trip over the last five days, some stand out features were being surrounded by red squirrels at Kingussie Golf Club, the sand dunes of Wick Golf Club, the delightful course at Hopeman golf club which I hadn’t seen or played before, the views at Cullen Links from the Cullen Bay Hotel, the sunset at Cruden Bay, views at Stonehaven Golf Club and the breathing views along the road at Dunnottar Castle.

After an overnight stay in Blairgowrie, I managed a tranquil early morning stroll around two of the finest parkland courses in the area, Rosemount & Lansdowne – these courses have to be in your golfing diary if you are in the area.

I headed south to a number of courses around Perth then headed onto Auchterarder and Gleneagles. From there I headed to the beautiful setting at Stirling Golf Club, which is overlooked by Stirling Castle from above! The best way to finish this golf research trip was at the sun soaked setting at Glenbervie Golf Club. This is a traditional members club but if you do get a chance to book a tee time at this scenic parkland course, I would grab it with both hands!

The only downside to travelling 850 miles and visiting 82 golf courses in five days was that there was no time for golf! How had I managed that? I’ll have to plan the next trip a little better!

Some great events and interesting courses to try in October

By Tom Kelly - TheHomeofGolf | September 27, 2017

Free entry to European Tour event plus play Royal Dornoch for half price & a free meal!

Lots happening in October, it really is a great month to come to Scotland. Not only will you save money on travel and accommodation costs, but some golf courses have started to reduce their green fees as well – you may need an extra layer of clothes though!

Here are a handful of events that we have picked out for October:

Dumfries & Galloway
The Wigtown Book Festival (22 Sep – 1 October 2017)
www.wigtownbookfestival.com

Wigtown is a traditional market town, set in the beautiful countryside of Dumfries & Galloway. It is also Scotland’s National Book Town. There are only a few days left of this year’s festival but taking part this week are Chris Brookmyre, Judy Murray, Roy Hattersley, Martin Bell, Gavin Esler, Jeremy Bowen and Mairi Hedderwick

Golf courses to play, if you are in the area, are: https://wigtownshirecountygolfclub.com (M-F £32/$43/€37), possibly one of the flatter courses you will play. On the following courses at PortPartrick Golf Club (after 230pm £30/$40/€34) & Stranraer Golf Club (from 16 Oct £20/$26/€23) you will have some fantastic views.

The Home of Golf - Stranraer Loch Ryan — Stranraer Golf Club over looking Loch Ryan

Central
The Enchanted Forest, Pitlochry (28 September – 29 October 2017)
www.enchantedforest.org.uk

As this show is in the evening, you won’t be missing out on any golf. The Enchanted Forest is renowned for being Scotland’s premier sound and light experience and attracted over 70,000 visitors in 2016. Tickets are selling fast and with less that 1,000 tickets available, the event will be sold out soon.

The Enchanted Forest team won the ‘Best Cultural Event in the UK’ at the UK Event Awards in London in December 2016.

The Home of Golf Pitlochry

If you decide to stay in or around Pitlochry for this event, then the golf courses to play in the area are Pitlochry GC – if you can play on a Wednesday its only £15/$20/€17 otherwise its £30/$40/€34 – it’s a short but challenging 18 hole course. It’s hilly but that means you will have some great views. Along the road, you will be equally delighted with a different challenge at the excellent 9 hole course at Blair Atholl Golf Club (£24/$32/€28 for 18 holes).

Fife & Angus
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (5-8 October 2017) The Home of Golf - alfred Dunhill Links Championship
alfreddunhilllinks.com

You may want to plan your trip around the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship that runs from 5 – 8 October this year. This European Tour event is played over St Andrews Old Course, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie. Entry is free on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday but there is a £20 fee on the final day (Sunday) at St Andrews.

There are too many golf courses to mention them all in one post, but if you’re staying near Kingsbarns then you must try and play Balcomie Links at Crail where the weekend green fee reduces from £85 to £47/$63/€54. Further around the coast you will find the excellent links course at Elie – green fees are currently w/d £77 & w/e £88 but these reduce to w/d £45/$60/€51 & w/e £48/$65/€55 from 16 October.

The Home of Golf Monifieth — The Medal, Monifieth Golf Links

If you’re near St.Andrews or Dundee then Scotscraig Golf Club (after 1:30pm £45/$60/€51) , Downfield Golf Club (£45/$60/€51), Monifieth Golf Links (£60/$80/€69) & Panmure Golf Club (from 15 Oct – £60/$80/€69) have to be on the bucket list.

If you are staying north of Carnoustie then book Arbroath Golf Course where you will get a round of golf, soup and sandwich for £20/$26/€23. Moving a little further north, the medal course at Montrose Golf Links £50/$67/€57 won’t disappoint.

Fort William/Lochaber
The Royal National Mòd (13-21 October 2017)
http://www.ancomunn.co.uk/nationalmod

Famous for celebrating our Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage, Scotland’s premier Gaelic festival provides opportunities for people of all ages to perform across a range of competitive disciplines including Gaelic music and song, highland dancing, instrumental, drama, sport and literature.

If you are attending Royal National Mòd then why not get along to Fort William Golf Club (£30/$40/€34) – it is an 18 hole course nestled at the foot of Ben Nevis (Britain’s highest mountain). The Course measures 6217 yards off the white tees, 5464 yards off the yellow tees and 4850 yards off the Ladies tees.

Dornoch
The Dornoch Whisky Festival (27-30 October 2017)
https://www.dornochwhiskyfestival.com

Now in its 3rd year, The Dornoch Whisky Festival is an opportunity to learn about and savour malt whiskies in the beautiful location of Dornoch in the North Highlands of Scotland. A festival programme can be view on their website above.

The Home of Golf Royal Dornoch An opportunity, not to be missed, is that you have the chance to play Royal Dornoch on Sunday 30 Oct for half price. Royal Dornoch needs little introduction but it is without a doubt one of Scotland’s finest courses.

The normal rate in October is listed as £130 but for the Stableford Competition, as part of the Dornoch Whisky Festival, the fee has been reduced to £65 plus a coffee and bacon roll before the round, a course planner, souvenir bag tag and a whisky miniature with a one-course meal after the golf – the event is open to both men and women who have an official CoNGU handicap – now that’s a great deal but book soon!

Three other courses to play in the area are: Brora Golf Club, Golspie Golf Club and Tain Golf Club.

Tain Golf Club state on their website that if you play on a Tuesday or a Thursday after 2pm the green fee reduces to £25/€29/$34 – this will give you just enough daylight to get round throughout October.

Plenty Winter Green Fee Deals To Keep The Golf Clubs Out Over The Winter

Highlands – Winter Green Fee Deals

Reay GC www.reaygolfclub.co.uk

Wick Golf Club www.wickgolfclub.org.uk

Golspie GC www.golspiegolfclub.co.uk

Royal Dornoch GC www.royaldornoch.com

Tain GC www.tain-golfclub.co.uk

Fortrose & Rosemarkie GC www.fortrosegolfclub.co.uk

Nairn GC www.nairngolfclub.co.uk

Nairn Dunbar GC www.nairndunbar.com

North East – Winter Green Fee Deals

Hopeman GC www.hopemangolf.club

Moray GC – Old & New www.moraygolf.co.uk

Buckpool GC www.buckpoolgolf.com

Strathlene GC www.strathlenegolfclub.co.uk

Cullen Links www.cullenlinksgolf.co.uk

Inverallochy GC www.inverallochygolfclub.com

Peterhead GC www.peterheadgolfclub.co.uk

Cruden Bay GC www.crudenbaygolfclub.co.uk

Newburgh on Ythan GC www.newburghgolfclub.co.uk

Trump International www.trumpgolfscotland.com

Murcar Links www.murcarlinks.com

Royal Aberdeen GC www.royalaberdeengolf.com

Stonehaven GC www.stonehavengolfclub.com