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)

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

• Portpatrick Golf Club – www.portpatrickgolfclub.com
  Winter Membership – £175
• Wigtownshire County Golf Club – https://wigtownshirecountygolfclub.com
  Winter Membership – £100

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

FIFE

• 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

• Fortrose & Rosemarkie – www.fortrosegolfclub.co.uk
  From 1 October to 31 March 2018
  Winter Membership Offer – £170

NORTH EAST

• Buckpool Golf Club – www.buckpoolgolf.com
  Winter Golf Ticket – £150
• Hopeman Golf Club – www.hopemangc.co.uk
  From 1 October to 31 March 2018
  Winter Golf – £85
• Inverallochy Golf Club – www.inverallochygolfclub.com
  From 1 October to 1 March 2018
  Winter Membership – £100
• Murcar Links Golf Club – www.murcarlinks.com
  From November to February 2018
  Winter Golf Pass – £180
• Stonehaven Golf Club – www.stonehavengolfclub.com
  From September to 28th February 2018
  Midterm September Membership Offer – £200
• Strathlene Golf Club – www.strathlenegolfclub.co.uk
  From 1 October to 31 March
  Winter Membership – £80

SCOTTISH BORDERS

• Eyemouth Golf Club – www.eyemouthgolfclub.co.uk
  From 1 October to 31 March 2018
  Winter Membership £170

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:
Moray 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.