Fun Golf Courses in Scotland That Won't Break the Bank
Pitlochry Golf Club, Perthshire
Scotland's lush countryside and stunning coastal views provide the perfect locations for some of the world's best known golf courses. But while many golfers dream of playing at 'bucket list' courses like St. Andrews or Muirfield, the hefty price tags can be off-putting. Fortunately, Scotland offers a variety of budget-friendly courses that deliver fantastic golf experiences without the need to splurge. Here’s a look at 21 fun and affordable golf courses in Scotland, costing £100 or less, that promise great value and memorable rounds.
Craigielaw Golf Club
Green Fee: £88.00 (Weekday)
Nestled in East Lothian, Craigielaw Golf Club offers a challenging but fair test for golfers of all skill levels. This links-style course features generous fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and spectacular views of the Firth of Forth. With excellent on-site lodge accommodation, first-class practice facilities and 6-hole short course, Craigielaw provides a memorable golfing experience at a reasonable price, making it a popular choice for both locals and visitors.
Gullane No. 2
Green Fee: £90.00 (Weekday)
Just a stone's throw away from its more famous neighbour, Gullane No. 1, Gullane No. 2 is an equally delightful course that comes at a fraction of the cost. The course, designed by Willie Park Jr., offers a classic links experience with firm, undulating fairways, challenging bunkers, and panoramic views of the East Lothian coastline, the Kingdom of Fife and Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh. Golfers will appreciate the course's traditional layout, which presents both a challenge and a chance to enjoy Scotland's natural beauty.
Kilspindie Golf Club
Green fee: £95.00 (Mon – Thurs)
Nestled along the coastline of Aberlady Bay, Kilspindie Golf Club is one of Scotland's oldest courses, offering a charming, traditional golfing experience. The course is relatively short by modern standards, but don’t let that fool you; its narrow fairways and small greens demand accuracy and skill. The picturesque views and affordable rates make Kilspindie a hidden gem worth visiting.
Duff House Royal Golf Club
Green Fee: £70.00.00 / £220 fourball (High Season), £50 / £160 fourball (Sept)
Located in the picturesque town of Banff, Duff House Royal Golf Club is a stunning parkland course designed by the legendary Dr. Alister MacKenzie. The course features beautifully manicured fairways and several large double greens, as well as a variety of hazards to keep golfers on their toes. With its affordable green fees and charming setting alongside the River Deveron, Duff House Royal is a must-play for anyone visiting the Aberdeenshire region.
Duff House Royal Golf Club, Aberdeenshire
Banchory Golf Club
Green Fee: £50.00 (Mon – Sun)
Situated along the River Dee, Banchory Golf Club is a hidden gem in Aberdeenshire that offers a delightful parkland course. The course is known for its tight fairways and small greens, which require precision and careful shot-making. With reasonable rates and a welcoming atmosphere, Banchory provides a relaxing and enjoyable golfing experience that won't break the bank.
Hazlehead Mackenzie Championship Course
Green Fee: £31.50
Designed by the legendary Dr. Alister MacKenzie, the Hazlehead Mackenzie Championship Course in Aberdeen offers a true test of golf at an affordable price. The course is known for its challenging layout, with narrow fairways and undulating greens, set amidst mature woodlands. It's a fantastic option for golfers looking to experience a classic MacKenzie design without the typical cost associated with his courses.
Crieff Golf Club
Green Fee: £55.00 (Mon – Thurs)
Crieff Golf Club, located in the heart of Perthshire, offers two courses – the Ferntower and the Dornock. The Ferntower Course, the more challenging of the two, is set against a backdrop of rolling hills and mature woodlands. The Dornock Course provides a shorter, more relaxed round. Both courses are known for their excellent condition and affordability, making Crieff a popular destination for golfers looking to enjoy a quality round without the hefty price tag.
Crieff Golf Club, Ferntower Course, Perthshire
Murrayshall Country Estate
Green Fee: £70.00
Murrayshall Country Estate, also in Perthshire, features two scenic parkland courses: Murrayshall and Lynedoch. The Murrayshall Course is the more demanding of the two, with its rolling terrain, strategically placed bunkers and trees, and large, undulating greens. The Lynedoch Course, while shorter, still presents a fun and challenging round for golfers of all abilities. With affordable green fees, an award winning 4-star country house hotel and top-notch facilities, Murrayshall is a great choice for a day of golf or a perfect base for a Scottish golf break.
Pitlochry Golf Club
Green Fee: £75.00
Perched on the hills overlooking the charming Perthshire town of Pitlochry, the golf course offers a challenging yet enjoyable round with spectacular views of the Tummel Valley and surrounding Highland countryside. The course features a mix of parkland and heathland holes, each with its own unique character. Pitlochry is known for its friendly staff and reasonable green fees, making it a great choice for an affordable golfing adventure in the Scottish Highlands.
Strathmore Golf Centre
Green Fee: £65.00 (Weekday)
Strathmore Golf Centre, located near Alyth in Perthshire, offers two courses: the Rannaleroch and the Leitfie Links. The Rannaleroch Course is the main 18-hole course, known for its forgiving fairways and spacious greens, making it a great option for golfers of all skill levels. The Leitfie Links is a shorter 9-hole course that provides a quick but enjoyable round. Strathmore is particularly popular with groups and societies due to its affordable packages and friendly staff.
Tain Golf Club
Green Fee: £90.00
Tain Golf Club, located in the Scottish Highlands, offers a classic links experience at an affordable price. The course, designed by Old Tom Morris, features narrow fairways, challenging bunkers, and fast, undulating greens. With stunning views of the Dornoch Firth and the surrounding countryside, Tain provides a memorable golfing experience that won't break the bank.
Tain Golf Club, Scottish Highlands
Golspie Golf Club
Green Fee: £100.00
Also situated in the Highlands, Golspie Golf Club offers a unique blend of links, heathland, and parkland golf. James Braid carried out course improvements in 1926 and almost a century later the layout of the course has changed very little – a testament to the strength of its design and popularity with golfers. The course provides a variety of challenges, from tight fairways and well-placed bunkers to large, undulating greens. Golspie is known for its friendly atmosphere and affordable green fees, making it a great choice for a budget-friendly round in a stunning setting.
NAIRN DUNBAR Golf Club
Green Fee: £100.00
The championship links at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club has benefitted from recent improvements, making it enjoyable for golfers of all abilities. The highly rated 18-hole course measures more than 6,800yds from the back tees and requires both guile and skill to negotiate its hugely varied challenges. Overlooking the beautiful Moray Firth, the Black Isle and beyond to the mountains of Sutherland as well as inland to the neighbouring Cawdor Hills, players are treated to breathtaking scenery throughout their round. Since its opening in 1899 by Sir Alexander Dunbar of Boath, the course has been a great addition to the vibrant golfing community of Nairn.
Reay Golf Club
Green Fee: £50.00
Reay Golf Club, located in the far north of Scotland, is a true hidden gem. This traditional links course offers a challenging but fair test, with its narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and unpredictable coastal winds. The course's remote location adds to its charm, providing a peaceful and serene golfing experience. With its affordable rates and breathtaking views of the Pentland Firth, Reay is a must-play for any golfer visiting the Highlands.
Inverness Golf Club
Green Fee: £80.00 (High Season), £60.00 (Sep and Oct)
Inverness Golf Club, located in the heart of the Highland capital, is a beautiful parkland course with mature trees and well-manicured greens. The course is relatively flat, making it accessible to all golfers, while still offering enough challenges to keep things interesting. With its central location and reasonable green fees, it’s a great option for a round of golf when visiting Inverness.
Kings Golf Club, Inverness
Green Fee: £75.00 (Mon, Wed, Thurs, PM), £85.00 (All AM times incl. Wed and Weekends)
Kings Golf Club in Inverness offers a modern parkland course with a variety of holes that will test every aspect of a golfer’s game. The course is known for its well-maintained fairways and greens, as well as its friendly and welcoming atmosphere. With reasonable green fees and a convenient location just outside Inverness, Kings Golf Club is a great choice for an affordable round of golf in the Scottish Highlands.
Kings Golf Club, Inverness
Muir of Ord Golf Club
Green Fee: £48.00 (Weekday up to 2.00pm), £36.00 (Weekday after 2.00pm)
Muir of Ord Golf Club, on the James Braid Highland Golf Trail and located near Inverness, is a traditional Scottish parkland course with some links-style holes. The course is known for its natural beauty, with views of the surrounding hills and the distant Beauly Firth. Muir of Ord offers a warm welcome to visitors and is very reasonably priced, making it an excellent choice for an affordable round of golf.
Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club
Green Fee: £100.00 (Weekday after 12.30pm), £340 fourball
Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club, on the Ayrshire coast, offers a classic links experience at a fraction of the cost of some of its more famous neighbours. The course features tight fairways, challenging bunkers, and fast, undulating greens. Old Tom Morris, winner of four Open Championships, was a founding/honorary member of the club . With a rich history and stunning views of the Firth of Clyde, Prestwick St Nicholas provides a memorable and affordable golfing experience.
Irvine Golf Club
Green Fee: £100.00
Also located in Ayrshire, Irvine Golf Club is another excellent choice for an affordable round of links golf. The course, designed by James Braid, offers a challenging layout that has hosted many national, international, amateur and professional events. Irvine is known for its friendly atmosphere and reasonable green fees, making it a popular choice for golfers looking to experience a traditional Scottish links course without breaking the bank.
Dunaverty Golf Club
Green Fee: £50.00 (Mon – Fri)
Located on the Kintyre Peninsula, Dunaverty Golf Club is a scenic seaside course that offers a fun and relaxed round of golf. The course is short but features some challenging holes with tight fairways and small greens. Dunaverty is known for its friendly atmosphere and stunning coastal views, making it a great choice for an affordable golfing getaway.
Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club
Green Fee: £100.00
Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club, located on the Kintyre Peninsula, offers a unique links experience in a stunning coastal setting. The course, designed by David McLay Kidd, features natural fairways, challenging bunkers, and fast, undulating greens. With its affordable rates and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, Machrihanish Dunes is a must-play for any golfer visiting the west coast of Scotland.
Machrihanish Dunes, Kintyre Peninsula
Scotland offers a wealth of affordable golf courses that provide fantastic experiences without the high costs associated with some of the country's more famous venues. From the rolling hills of Perthshire to the rugged coastlines of Ayrshire and the Highlands, there is no shortage of beautiful and challenging courses to explore. So pack your clubs and head to Scotland for a golfing adventure that won't break the bank!
*All green fees quoted are based on 2024 high season rates and were correct at the time of publishing in September 2024. Please note many clubs offer seasonal rates from October to March. Click on the buttons for more details and booking information at each golf club.