Tag: Monifieth Golf Links

Winter Golf Deals in the Angus & Fife regions

Winter Golf Deals in the Angus & Fife regions

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This week, in the second of three blogs on Scottish Winter Golf, I pick out some of the courses in the Angus and Fife regions that are offering great deals on green fees.

Over the coming months, there are great opportunities to play two Open Championship venues and a number of Open Championship qualifier courses in Angus and Fife.  Not only are the courses are a bit quieter at this time of year but there’s also 50% off green fees in many cases!

The Home of Golf
Views from Montrose Golf Links out to Scurdie Ness Lighthouse

Now, unless the ‘Beast from the East’ returns, most of these links/coastal courses should be fully open throughout the colder months.

We are fortunate to have so many top quality courses offering such great winter golf deals at this time of year.  But, let’s not kid ourselves, apart from the obvious ‘Supply & Demand’ issues, there are other reasons for the discounted rates, such as:

  1. It can get cold, wet & windy out there – waterproofs, woolly beanies & mitts are frequently required!
  2. There may be winter greens in use, in the first few hours, if there is frost about.
  3. There may be winter maintenance works being carried out and the course may have a different layout.
  4. The clubhouse may not be open / available.

These are just a few of the reasons why golf clubs discount their green fees in the winter.  For that reason, I put together a ‘Golfing in the Winter’ checklist last month which you may want to have a quick glance at before booking your next winter round of golf – click HERE.

Next week, I will be highlighting the winter golf deals on the links/coastal courses of East Lothian, Borders, South West Scotland & Ayrshire.  For the time being, here are my course selections from the Angus & Fife regions:

 

Angus Region – Winter Golf Deals

The Home of Golf - Winter Golf

 

Montrose Golf Links – (Open Qualifier Course)
www.montrosegolflinks.com

The Home of Golf - Winter Golf
Montrose Links

In terms of hidden gems in Scotland, Montrose links is right up there with the best.  Golf was first played here, 456 years ago, in 1562 – with history like that, it’s no wonder the main course has been recently rebranded as ‘The 1562 Course’. It’s not a long track but it is an Open qualifier links course that you have to manage your way around – beware of those pot bunkers!

The 1562 Course
Round:   £34 from 1 November to 21 March 2019

Broomfield Course
Round:   £15 from 1 November to 21 March 2019

Winter Membership: £230 from October to 31 March 2019
(includes access to both courses above)

 

Arbroath Golf Links
www.arbroathgolfcourse.co.uk

The Home of Golf - Winter Golf
Arbroath Links

On a strip of links land, wedged between Angus farmland and the East Coast railway line, lies Arbroath Links.  You’ll be tested by well placed bunkers and the ever present sea breeze. Additionally, you’ll have to plot your way over the burns that cross the fairways, on no fewer than nine occasions.

Round:   £12 from 1 November to 31 March 2019

 

Carnoustie Golf Links
www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk

The Home of Golf - Winter Golf
Carnoustie

There are three courses at Carnoustie – the Championship Course, The Burnside & the Buddon.  Don’t let the green fees fool you into believing that the Championship Course is 4 times better than the Burnside Course! I am a fan of the Burnside and I believe that if this course was not overshadowed by its Open Championship neighbour, it would gain more recognition as a top Scottish course.  Give it a try, if you’ve not done so before. Winter rates for all courses have been reduced by 50%.

Championship Course
Round:   £100 from 5 November to 31 March 2019

Burnside Course
Round:   £25 from 5 November to 31 March 2019

Buddon Course
Round:   £25 from 5 November to 31 March 2019

The Home of Golf - Winter Golf
Burnside Course, Carnoustie

Panmure Golf Club – (Open Qualifier Course)
www.panmuregolfclub.co.uk

The links course at Panmure Golf Club is definitely worth adding to your agenda, if you are golfing anywhere near this area!  It is an Open qualifier course and has held numerous regional and national events over the years. It is a fair course but bunkers lurk at most holes to catch overzealous drives. The odd burn and out of bounds will also grab your attention, so accuracy off the tee is key.

Round:   £45 from 1 November to 28 February 2019

Panmure Clubhouse - The Home of Golf
Panmure Clubhouse

Monifieth Golf Links – (Open Qualifier Course)
www.monifiethgolf.co.uk

Only a few miles from Carnoustie lie the Medal & Ashludie courses at Monifieth.  The Medal course is an Open qualifier course – its fairways are undulating, with gorse and heather never far away – accuracy is always better than length on this classic links course.

Medal Course
Round:   £25 from 1 December to 28 February 2019

Ashludie Course
Round:   £15 from 1 December to 28 February 2019

Winter Membership:  £125 from 1 November to 31 March 2019
(Winter Ticket – 5 day Medal / 7 day Ashludie)

 

Fife Region – Winter Golf Deals

The Home of Golf - Winter Golf


Scotscraig Golf Club – (Open Qualifier Course)
www.scotscraiggolfclub.com

The Home of Golf - Winter Golf
Scotscraig Golf Club

Scotscraig is the most northerly course in Fife and is virtually equidistant from St Andrews and Carnoustie. The course is a mix of links and heathland terrain.  There is a lot of gorse which looks great in full bloom…. however, you’re unlikely to find your ball if it goes anywhere near it!  Scotscraig is the 13th oldest club in the world and celebrated its 200th anniversary last year. It has also been an Open qualifying course on a number of occasions over the last 35+ years.

Round:   £30 from 1 November to 31 March 2019

5 Day Winter Membership (M-F) – £160 from 15 October to 28 February 2019

 

St. Andrews
www.standrews.com

The courses at St. Andrews need no introduction from the likes of me – all I will say is that whilst you can book tee times online, the only exception is the Old Course where a ballot system is in use.  Check their website for details – www.standrews.com

Old Course
Round: £90 from 1 November to 31 March 2019

New Course
Round: £40 from 1 November to 28 February 2019

Jubilee Course
Round: £40 from 1 November to 28 February 2019

Eden Course
Round: £25 from 1 November to 28 February 2019

Strathtyrum Course
Round: £15 from 1 November to 28 February 2019

Balgove Course – 9 hole
Round: £8 from 1 November to 28 February 2019

Castle Course – closes from 4 November until 1 March 2019
Round: £60 from 1-4 November & 1- 31 March 2019

 

Fairmont St. Andrews
www.fairmont.com

The Fairmont St. Andrews resort sits a few miles south east of St Andrews on a cliff-top spot. The two courses at the resort are new comers to Scottish Golf, only having been open for around 20 years but they both present a good challenge with great views.

The Torrance Course
Round:   £50 from 1 November to 17 March 2019

The Kittocks Course
Round:   £50 from 1 November to 17 March 2019

 

Crail Golfing Society
www.crailgolfingsociety.co.ukThe Home of Golf - Winter Golf

Don’t let the 5800 yardage fool you on Balcomie Links, this course can feel like 7800+ yards in a stiff breeze, where the difficultly, not only lies in playing against or across the wind, but also trying to stop your ball down wind.

Two good tests of golf on both courses, in a beautiful part of Scotland.

Balcomie Links
Round:   £35 from 1 November to 28 February 2019

Craighead Links
Round:   £35 from 1 November to 28 February 2019

 

Golf House Club, Elie
www.golfhouseclub.co.uk

The Home of Golf - Winter Golf
18th Hole, Golf House Club, Elie

Golf has been played over these links since the sixteenth century, by all accounts! Old Tom Morris and James Braid were both 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 – an intriguing start to your round!

Round:   £47-£49 from 22 October to 22 March 2019
(includes soup or coffee & hot roll)

 

Lundin Links – (Open Qualifier Course)
www.lundingolfclub.co.uk

The Home of Golf - Winter Golf
Lundin Links

Lundin Links sits side by side with Leven Links, separated by the Mile Dyke.  You are 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 19th.

Round: £30 from 5 November to 31 March 2019 (not available on Saturdays)

 

Leven Links – (Open Qualifier Course)
www.leven-links.com

The Home of Golf - Winter Golf
18th green, Leven Links

Leven Links has been an Open qualifying course on many occasions, in addition to hosting numerous prestigious national, international, professional and amateur events over the years.

Leven is a classic Scottish links course, full of natural dunes, valleys and slopes that will throw or collect your ball in true links style. When the wind gets up it can cause havoc, as your ball appears to take on a mind of its own, on the firm fairways and fast rolling greens. Possibly the toughest par 4 finishing hole in Scotland!

Round: £35 from 1 December to 28 February 2019

I do hope you are able to take advantage of these great green fee rates being offered by some of our top courses.  Please check the course website or facebook page for any updates before your round.

NEXT BLOG POST: Thursday 8 November 2018 – Next week, is the third & final blog post on Scottish Winter Golf Deals.  I’ll be looking at what winter green fee deals are available in East Lothian, Borders, South West Scotland & Ayrshire.

PREVIOUS BLOG POST: from 23 October 2018 – focuses on the Winter Green Fee deals in the Scottish Highlands & the North East – click HERE to read the post from last week.

Tom Kelly the home of golf

The Home of Golf Getaways #1

The Home of Golf Getaways #1

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The Home of Golf Getaways

Today sees the start of The Home of Golf Getaways.  Recommendations will initially be links/coastal courses, due to better course conditions over the next few months.

First trip is to the Angus Region on the East coast of Scotland – easy to get there by train but I would recommend hiring a car.  This region is easily accessible from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee & Aberdeen, where there are ample car hire companies available.  Check our car hire & travel details here.

The Home of Golf Getaways #1

My first Golf Getaway takes us to Monifieth, Panmure & Carnoustie.  All 3 courses that I am suggesting are within a 5-10 minute drive of each other and lie about a 20-25 minute drive to the east of Dundee.

Course 1 – The Burnside Course

Burnside Course, Carnoustie
Carnoustie will be the venue for the 2018 Open Championship, however, it is the Burnside Course, the second of three courses managed by Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee, that I am recommending this week. The course is a links course and sits adjacent to the Championship course. It’s a well maintained track and offers exceptional value at £23 for it’s winter rate.

The course would normally be considered a top rated course if it was situated on its own, anywhere else! However, sitting right next to the Championship Course, I personally think it is underrated and is a hidden gem right under our noses!

Burnside Course, Carnoustie 18th Green
18th green, Burnside Course, Carnoustie Links

With the Open Championship approaching, there maybe additional works going on, so it would be advisable to check that the course is fully open when you want to play it. You are likely to be on mats from Dec – Feb 2018.

Course 2 – Panmure Golf Club

Panmure Clubhouse - The Home of GolfThe links course at Panmure Golf Club is definitely a course worth playing – it is an Open qualifier course and has held numerous regional and national amateur events over the years. It is a fair course but bunkers lurk at most holes to catch over zealous drives. The odd burn and out of bounds will also grab your attention, so accuracy off the tee is key.

Mats will be in use until the end of February 2018 but this is reflected in a very reasonable fee of £30. Fees in March rise to £45 and then up further as the season progresses.

Course 3 – Monifieth Links (Medal Course)

A close neighbour to Panmure is the Medal Course at Monifieth Links. A plaque at the first tee informs you that this is where Tom Watson played his first ever round of links golf. A week later he won his first Open Championship at Carnoustie in 1975 – prize money for winning The Open back then was £7,500!Tom Watson Monifieth Links

Monifieth Links, like many links courses, has a railway running along side it. As I was teeing it up on the first, the London–Aberdeen train came thundering passed……just a little reminder, before I teed off, that there’s out of bounds up the right!!!

The course is undulating and once again accuracy is always better than length on these classic links courses. There’s plenty of gorse but not on the fairways, as I was told beforehand!

A round on this course will cost £25 and will be played on mats until the end of February 2018. It rises to £35 in March and will increase further as we get into the golfing season.

Accommodation

Top Pick – Carnoustie Golf Hotel

Carnoustie Golf HotelThe Home of Golf Getaways Top Pick for staying in this area would be the Carnoustie Golf Hotel.

It has 81 en-suite bedrooms and ten suites with great views over the Championship Course, the sea and the local town of Carnoustie. The Spa and health facilities include a large heated swimming pool, sauna, whirlpool, steam room and for the more energetic a fully equipped gymnasium.

You’re only 350 yards to the 1st tee of the Burnside Course, 7-8 minutes drive to Panmure and only 10-12 minute drive to Monifieth. Easy life!

Prices will vary depending on when you stay and whether you stay midweek or at the weekend. However, as a rough guide, prices at the moment indicate apx. £80/night for a twin/double.

Other Places to Stay

There are plenty other places to stay nearby:

Carnoustie

Station Hotel
23 Station Rd, Carnoustie, DD7 6AR
Telephone: 01241 852447

Corner Hotel
103-105 Dundee Street, Carnoustie, DD7 7EW
Telephone: 01241 856291

19th Hole Hotel
8 Ferrier St, Carnoustie, DD7 7HT
01241 852108

Broughty Ferry

Woodlands Hotel
13 Panmure Terrace, Dundee DD5 2QL
Telephone: 01382 480033

The Hotel Broughty Ferry
16 West Queen Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee DD5 1AR
Telephone: 01382 480027

Dundee

Doubletree by Hilton Dundee
Kingsway West, Dundee, DD2 5JT
Telephone 01382 641122

Invercarse Hotel
371 Perth Rd, Dundee DD2 1PG
Telephone: 01382 669231

So there you have it, if you go before the end of March 2018, it will roughly cost £320 per couple or £160 per person, depending on when and where you stay – not bad for a couple of nights away with 3 rounds of golf!

And finally……

the Home of Golf ChecklistWhenever, playing any Scottish course over the winter, here’s The Home of Golf Getaways checklist that you may want to address before booking – it’ll help manage expectations:

  1. Are fairway mats required?
  2. Are there any winter tees or winter greens in play?
  3. What condition are the greens in?
  4. Is there any major winter course work being carried out?
  5. Can we play at weekends? (many clubs restrict visitors on Saturdays to allow members to play)
  6. What’s the earliest/latest times for teeing off? (restricted daylight hours in winter)
  7. Are handicap certificates required?
  8. Will the clubhouse be open when we arrive or when we get back in? (restricted hours in winter)
  9. When does the kitchen close/last orders?
  10. You may want to consider teeing of a bit later, as frost can hit many courses early in the morning, resulting in the use of winter greens for the first few hours.
  11. Take some extra layers, it can get cold out there, particularly if the wind gets up!

Green fees are substantially reduced at this time of year, so if there are restricted tee times or mats required and winter greens in play, then these are the reasons for the discounted rate.

If you want to get notified about any other of The Home of Golf Getaways or when the next blog post is out, just drop your email address into our Blog Sign Up box on the right hand side bar or give our Facebook Page a wee ‘Like’ for updates.

Thanks for reading!

T.

Winter Golf Membership – 24 reasons to keep golfing this winter!

Winter Golf Membership – 24 reasons to keep golfing this winter!

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Here is our fully updated list of Winter Golf Membership deals from some of Scotland’s links & coastal courses – no excuses for not playing through the winter now!

The following courses all try to maintain a full course throughout the winter.  However, this is subject to winter course maintenance & weather conditions.  Winter Golf Membership fees are substantially reduced in most cases and this maybe due to some courses requesting that you play off mats, others may request that you play from the first cut of rough – all Club Manager & Secretaries will be happy to help and advise before you sign up.

ANGUS REGION – winter golf membership

  • Monifieth Golf Links – www.monifiethgolf.co.uk

    Monifieth Links - winter golf membership

    From 1 November to 31 March 2018
    Offering Winter Golf Ticket – £125
    (5 days Medal / 7 days Ashludie)

AYRSHIRE – winter golf membership

  • The Irvine Golf Club – www.theirvinegolfclub.co.uk
    From 1 November to 31 March 2018
    Offering Winter Golf Ticket – £275 (limited availability)
    (6 days a week / *Excls Saturdays)The Home of Golf - Prestwick st nicholas - winter golf membership
  • Prestwick St.Nicholas – www.prestwickstnicholas.com
    From 1 October to 31 March 2018
    Temporary Trial Membership – £395
    (restricted play on Saturdays)

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY – winter golf membership

EAST LOTHIAN – winter golf membership

  • Winterfield Golf Club – www.winterfieldgc.com
    From October to March 2018
    Winter Season Ticket – £123Glen Golf Club - winter golf membership
  • The Glen Golf Club – www.glengolfclub.co.uk
    From now until the 31 March 2018
    5 day winter membership – £185
    7 day winter membership – £260
  • Longniddry Golf Club – www.longniddrygolfclub.co.uk
    From 1 November to 31 March 2018
    Winter Membership £350

FIFE – winter golf membership

  • The Home of golf - winter golf membershipCrail Golfing Society – www.crailgolfingsociety.co.uk
    From October to 31 March 2018
    5 day Winter Season Ticket – £145
    7 day Winter Season Ticket – £195
  • Scotscraig Golf Club – www.scotscraiggolfclub.com
    From 1 November to 28 February 2018
    Winter Trial Membership – £160**Late Addition**
  • Leven Links – www.leven-links.com
    From 1 November to 28 February 2018
    Monday to Friday Winter membership – £150

 

HIGHLANDS – winter golf membership

  • Fortrose & Rosemarkie – www.fortrosegolfclub.co.uk
    From 1 October to 31 March 2018
    Winter Membership Offer – £170
  • Nairn Dunbar Golf Club – www.nairndunbar.com
    From 1 November to 31 March 2018
    Winter Membership £150 (details on their Facebook page)
  • Reay Golf Club – www.reaygolfclub.co.uk
    From 1 October to 31 March 2018
    Winter Membership £70

    Reay Golf Club - winter golf membership
    Reay Golf Club

NORTH EAST – winter golf membership

SCOTTISH BORDERS – winter golf membership

15 Courses To Keep Your Game In Shape Over The Winter

15 Courses To Keep Your Game In Shape Over The Winter

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The Home Of Golf

November is not far away and if the thought of colder temperatures, shorter days, damp golf courses and winter greens, is making you consider locking your golf clubs away for the next four months, then, I am fairly sure you are not alone!

The problem with putting the clubs away over the winter, is that it can take weeks to get your game back to where you left it the previous season!

Spending £5/£10 a week at the driving range will keep your swing going but it won’t help with the short game and putting ie: the scoring game.

For a similar amount of money, another solution would be to join a links course, on a temporary 4-6 month winter membership deal. Links courses are most suited to our Scottish winters and as we know, the sandy soil drains far better than our parkland courses.

Most links courses get through the winter without using winter greens (unless there is frost) and not all of them require the use a golf mat.  This way your chipping, pitching and putting get a continuous work out over the winter.

I’ve selected a handful of coastal and links courses that are currently offering great membership packages over the winter period. Have a look – you never know, this could be the best way to keep your golf game in shape this winter!

ANGUS REGION

  • Monifieth Golf Links – www.monifiethgolf.co.uk
    From 1 October to 31 March 2018
    Offering Winter Golf Ticket – £150 (*update – £125 from 1 Nov – 31 Mar 2018)
    (5 days Medal / 7 days Ashludie)The Home of Golf - monifieth medal

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

EAST LOTHIAN

  • The Glen Golf Club – www.glengolfclub.co.uk
    From now until the 31 March 2018
    5 day winter membership – £185
    7 day winter membership – £260
  • Winterfield Golf Club – www.winterfieldgc.com
    From October to March 2018
    Winter Season Ticket – £123

FIFThe Home of golfE

  • Crail Golfing Society – www.crailgolfingsociety.co.uk
    From October to 31 March 2018
    5 day Winter Season Ticket – £145
    7 day Winter Season Ticket – £195
  • Scotscraig Golf Club – www.scotscraiggolfclub.com
    From 1 November to 28 February 2018
    Winter Trial Membership – £160

HIGHLANDS

NORTH EAST

SCOTTISH BORDERS

If you know of a links golf course in Scotland offering a great winter membership package (generally under £200) let me know and I’ll pass on the word.

**** Blog Post UPDATE **** (23 October 2017)

Since publishing this blog post (19 Oct 2017) on winter memberships at Scottish golf courses, I have received several emails, Facebook & Twitter messages, letting me know of other great winter offers that are currently available – so thanks to everyone who got in touch!

Here are some of the links & coastal courses that I missed out on last week:
Reay Golf Club Moray Golf ClubMoray Golf Club is offering membership from October through to 31 March 2018 for £130. Bear in mind this is for 2x links courses, which really makes this an outstanding deal. I had the pleasure of visiting Moray Golf Club a couple of weeks ago and the courses were in great shape. Click here for more details on their Facebook page http://bit.ly/2gxtdkJ or call club secretary, Stevie Grant on 01343 812018.

Another course I visited 2 weeks ago was Reay Golf Club – a true links course that lies on the edge of Sandside Bay, 10 miles from Thurso, offering panoramic views of the Pentland Firth and North Atlantic from every hole on the course. Reay Golf Club is offering winter membership from Oct to 31 March 2018 for an incredible £70….yes, 5 months links golf for £70! Further details here: www.reaygolfclub.co.uk

We head down the east coast to Monifieth Golf Links where they inform me that their winter membership deal that was £150 from Oct to Mar 2018 is being reduced to £125 from 1 Nov to 31 March 2018.

And finally, heading further south along the east coast to East Lothian, we reach Longniddry Golf Club – it is offering winter membership for £350 from 1 Nov to 31 Mar 2018 but only for 20 places, so be quick. All details here – www.longniddrygolfclub.co.uk/winter-membership/

Once again if there are any links or coastal courses that I have missed out please let me know.

Thanks – Tom.

Planning a golf trip to Scotland in 2018? Check out these deals first!

Planning a golf trip to Scotland in 2018? Check out these deals first!

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With so many great golf courses in our golfing regions, it can be a daunting task to pick a handful of courses when planning a 5-7 day golfing break in Scotland.

To help ease the decision making process, many of the regional golf courses have put their heads together and made available a variety of discount green fees packages with neighbouring golf courses. These packages aim to save you travel time, money and allow you discover some stunning new Scottish courses.

I’ve had a good look at Ayrshire, Angus & Fife this week and here are some of the best packages available in those regions:

Ayrshire

Ayrshire is the birthplace to the Open Championship where the first Open was held at Prestwick Golf Club in 1860. The region is home to 3 Open venues – Prestwick, Royal Troon and Turnberry.The Home of Golf - prestwick KBGC

Ayrshire Open Qualifier Card (www.AyrshireGolfPass.co.uk) *this weblink may be down but I am assured it will be back up soon

This 3 round pass is £170/$223/€190 – add a fourth round at Dundonald Links and the pass becomes £270/$354/€302. However, if you booked all four courses separately the cost would come to £325/$426/€364 – this golf pass would therefore save you £55/$72/€62 (17%) per person.

Gailes Golf Experience (www.gailesgolfexperience.co.uk)

This pass is £260/$341/€291 for 3 rounds (one at each of the above courses). If you booked all courses separately the cost would be £395/$519/€443 – this golf pass would generate a huge saving of £135/$177/€151 (34%) per person.

Prestwick Golf Pass (bookings@prestwickgc.co.uk or +44 (0)1292 477404)

The Home of Golf prestwick st nicholas
The Prestwick Golf Pass allows one round at each of the above for a total of £235/$309/€263 – the cost of booking them separately would be £278/$365/€311 – you would save yourself £38/$50/€43 (14%) per person with this pass.

Golf South Ayrshire (www.golfsouthayrshire.com)

The Braid Trail

This James Braid package is £65/$85/€73 for 3 rounds over the courses above, as opposed to £82/$108/€92 if booked separately – a saving of £17/$22/€19 (20%)

The Home of Golf Belleisle

Troon Links Experience

This package is £65/$85/€73 for 3 rounds over the courses above, in comparison to £90/$118/€100 if booked separately – a saving of £25/$33/€28 (28%)

Angus Region

Angus region is home to Carnoustie Golf links, the venue for the 2018 Open Championship. Their golf passes include the Carnoustie Dream Ticket & the Links Trails and are available from www.carnoustiecountry.com/packages/.

Carnoustie Dream Ticket

The Carnoustie Dream ticket includes one round of golf on each of the above courses for £390/$512/€437 – there is only a saving of £30/$39/€34 (7%) compared to the full price of £420/$551/€470. Better value can found with some of the stay and play packages on Carnoustie Country’s website which include the following courses.

Links Trails


Fife

Fife is steeped in golfing history and has wealth of excellent golf courses in the area.

The ‘Links with History’ golf pass ( www.linkswithhistory.com ) offers you a number of ways to play discounted golf at the following 4 courses:

As long as you play a minimum of 2 courses you will receive apx. 15% discount over the summer months. However, from Nov 2017 through to 31 March 2018 the ‘Links with History’ package is offering a round of golf for £22.50/$29/€25 per person over any of these 4 courses, as long as you play a minimum of 2 of them. This has to be one of the BEST winter season deals this year!

I’ll be having a look at what the Highlands & the North East have to offer next week
 

* I have used 2017 pricing where the 2018 prices were not available.

Some great events and interesting courses to try in October

Some great events and interesting courses to try in October

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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 DornochAn 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.

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