Play the best for less
The top-end rack rates at the premier courses in the UK and Ireland can be a touch eye-watering, but Fergus Bisset discovers various ways around this
The very top-rated courses in the UK and Ireland can command high green fees. These are the best of the best and, as such, tee times for visitors are in high demand. Some of the high-season, full rates are on the pricey side, but there are ways to visit the top courses and pay a little less than that top-end rack rate.
One of the best ways is to play outside of high season. Most clubs and courses in our Top 100 offer reduced rates for winter golf; many will also offer lower shoulder-season rates for golfing in early spring and autumn.
As an example, our No. 1 course, Royal County Down (RCD), has a summer rack rate of £325 but had a winter rate (from last November to this February) of just £150. That’s less than half the full fee. Admittedly, winter golf can be challenging, but if you can be flexible and pick a day when the weather is kind, the top courses will generally still be in fine condition – particularly the links and heathland tracks with sandy subsoil. RCD offers shoulder rates too
– in March this year it was £170 a round and in April, £195.
Other clubs in our Top 100 offer similarly attractive off-season deals. A winter round on the Rosemount course at Blairgowrie costs £36 compared to a rack rate of £120 in the summer. At Hillside, midweek winter rates are half price – £110 compared to £220.
Another good option many clubs offer is to play later in the day. At Saunton, a summer twilight round (after 2.30pm) costs £100 as opposed to £130. At Royal Dornoch, a twilight ticket this summer is £150 against the full rate of £250. Ganton’s twilight rate is £90 compared to a rack rate of £175.
Some of the premier clubs and courses offer reduced rates to locals. At Rosapenna, Irish residents pay just €80 to play the brilliant new St Patrick’s Links compared to a visitor rate of €200. At historic Prestwick, Ayrshire residents pay just £85 for 18 holes, compared to £240-£270 for other visitors. The club also offers a replay rate which is a good way to save money if you’re in the vicinity for a few days. Play at Prestwick for a second time within the same week, and you’ll only pay £85 for that round.
Courses with accommodation will sometimes offer lower rates for residents. At Royal Lytham & St Annes, guests staying in the Dormy House pay a weekday fee of £196 for 18 holes, against £260 for those not staying. Gleneagles also offers hotel guests lower rates than regular visitors.
Courses may offer packages to groups and societies, which can be a cost-effective way of playing a top course. If you’re lucky enough to know a member of a Top 100 course, most will offer discounted rates for members’ guests. Some courses offer four-ball rates. This March, West Lancs was offering a four-ball rate of £320 (£80 per player) compared to a summer midweek fee of £175 per person. Other venues in the Top 100 offer a relatively low rack rate green fee (see below).
There are various ways to play the Top 100 courses for less than their top-rate green fee. If you can be a little flexible in when you play, there are a variety of ways to find a deal.
DOWN 3 64 Gullane (No. 1) GF: £105-£265
The links begins on the very edge of the town before forging uphill towards the high point at the 6th and 7th, where the views down to Aberlady Bay and beyond are spellbinding.
GM verdict: Interesting and unusual links with good greens that plays over a hill.
NEW ENTRY 61 Rosapenna (St Patrick’s Links) GF: €200
The design by Tom Doak and his team shows just how big imagination can be. A rollercoaster adventure charging through deep dune valleys and soaring over more open terrain. GM verdict: Exceptional design and vision in a captivating setting.
58 West Sussex GF: £105-£150
Also known as Pulborough, this is one of England’s most beautiful and enjoyable inland courses. There are five superb short holes and a mix of testing and varied par 4s to confuse or delight. GM verdict: An extremely pretty and very peaceful heathland gem.
63 Royal West Norfolk GF: £125-£195
Courses like this give the North Norfolk coast huge appeal. Brancaster enjoys a unique setting on a spit twixt dunes and marsh, with the height of the tide affecting how certain holes play. GM verdict: Ruggedly raw old-school links – a gloriously natural place to play.
60 Worplesdon GF: £100-£225
A full bunker renovation has been completed and is now established, hence Worplesdon’s rise this time. A classic heathland layout offering a great strategic test and sense of seclusion. GM verdict: Ambitious club with great history plus a quality heathland course.
57 Walton Heath (New) GF: £135-£395
There’s an element of inland links about the New, though the heather is as testing as anywhere. Don’t be fooled by the seemingly straightforward start, for many testing par 4s lie in wait. GM verdict: Handsome and expansive with one of our longest nines off the tips.
62 County Louth GF: €100-€240
County Louth or Baltray is one of the jewels of Irish links golf, a true championship venue with a confident yet understated air. It has hosted many big events including the Irish Open.
GM verdict: A proper links test delivering a great blend of history and quality.
59 Southport & Ainsdale GF: £99-£250
An eclectic mix of holes delivers an interesting blend of links and heathland. Significant works have been improving things from both aesthetic and playing points of view.
GM verdict: Natural-feeling links greatly enhanced by extensive improvements.
56 The Berkshire (Blue) GF: £145-£300
Herbert Fowler made fine use of the slopes, fitting holes seamlessly into the landscape. The Blue opens with a long par 3 across heather and closes with a clenched fistful of testing par 4s. GM verdict: The Red course’s tougher brother with a real sting in the tail.
DOWN 6 55 Saunton (East) GF: £60-£200
Set in the lovely North Devon dunes, the East course was designed by Herbert Fowler and is a wonderful place to play. There are just three short holes, but each is strong and different.
GM verdict: Beautifully located, peaceful links that has hosted big tournaments.
52 The Machrie GF: £65-£250
Golf on Islay dates back to 1891. Magical green settings abound and, with several front-nine tees right by the beach, it’s a glorious place to play. At times, strategic choices must be made. GM verdict: Recent developments have rightly attracted worldwide attention.
DOWN 4
49 Royal St David’s GF: £60-£145
This tough, old-school links is overlooked by the brooding Harlech Castle. It is separated from the beach by towering dunes which may provide some protection, but don’t bank on it! GM verdict: A strong but very fair links defined by some stretching par 4s.
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54 Alwoodley GF: £90-£175
Alwoodley boasts attractive bunkering that performs the dual role of strategy and aesthetics supremely well. Recent clearing has brought back a more open feel and far-reaching vistas. GM verdict: Not just one of Yorkshire’s top heathland tracks but also England’s.
51 Silloth on Solway GF: £45-£90
A testing links about which you rarely hear a bad word. Other than on the short 9th, it is not heavily bunkered, but all are perfectly positioned and many are very tough to escape.
GM verdict: Resplendent along a remote coastline. The best value in the Top 100.
48 Tralee GF: €180-€275
Sea, sand and mountains form a magical backdrop. The par-3 3rd hugs the rocky shore precariously, but the visuals really ramp up coming home on holes like the spectacular 13th. GM verdict: Dramatic golf on a grand scale, especially on the back nine.
53 Liphook GF: £135-£160
The new holes designed by Tom Mackenzie for the club’s centenary have bedded in well, enhancing what was already a fine heathland course. It’s beautifully maintained and a joy to play. GM verdict: One of the most impressive and enjoyable heathland upgrades.
50 Gleneagles (Queen’s) GF: £80-£450
It may be relatively short, but the Queen’s still delivers a complete test. It’s long been a favourite at Gleneagles, with recent work enhancing what was already a fine course.
GM verdict: Scenic Braid layout that showcases his strategic design skills.
47 Trump International Golf Links, Doonbeg GF: €75-€375
Set amid striking dunes, Greg Norman’s brilliant layout has been enhanced by Martin Hawtree since Trump took over here in 2014. A modern classic.
GM verdict: Supremely enjoyable simply to behold, let alone to play.