How to play golf in Scotland on a budget

We recently told you about the exorbitant cost of golf. But there is another way and, what’s more, there is another way in Scotland.

Yes, you can take out a second mortgage to visit the likes of Carnoustie, Gleneagles and Turnberry, but it is also possible to play a host of wonderful lesser-known courses without digging a massive hole in your bank account.

More of that later.

My wife and I have just enjoyed a wonderful stay at Braidhaugh Holiday Park, owned and run by Largo Leisure, in Crieff, Perthshire.

We have been lucky enough to have spent time at a number of the company’s holiday parks and this is definitely one of my favourites. It is fairly small and intimate and is set on the banks of the River Earn.

Great Value Golf Break in Scotland

On arrival, you are welcomed by friendly staff in a bright reception area, which includes a small shop for essentials. There is also a family-friendly bar and coffee shop, perfect for drinks on the outdoor deck in summer or by the cosy fire in winter. The bar and lounge is open daily from noon, with last orders at 4.30pm and closes at 5pm. Hot drinks are available from 9.30am to 4.30pm every day. 

Guests can fish from the River Earn during the season with a permit available at reception. 

A heated amenities block provides power showers, hand dryers, and laundry facilities, while children can enjoy the large swing or the adjacent play park.

Just a short walk from the historic market town of Crieff, you will find shops, cafés, pubs, restaurants and cultural landmarks within walking distance. There are plenty of nearby options when it comes to eating out - and many of them offer takeaway deliveries to Braidhaugh.

Braidhaugh offers the best of both worlds - a relaxing riverside retreat surrounded by nature, yet is perfectly placed to enjoy the many local tourist attractions and activities that make this area so special.

You can choose from touring pitches, caravans, glamping pods, riverside retreats, and lodges - with bubbling hot tubs and pet friendly options. Soak in your private hot tub or unwind on the spacious decked veranda, taking in tranquil river views. Inside, modern, fully equipped kitchens and stylish living spaces make every stay feel like a home away from home.

We stayed in a delightful one-bedroomed lodge which was a proper home from home. 

The lounge/kitchen area featured a comfortable sofa, armchair, table and chairs, log burner, central heating, flat-screen and a wall-mounted TV, and a well-appointed kitchen came with a cooker, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, kettle and supply of coffee, tea, milk and sugar.

There was also a bottle of Prosecco and a large box of chocolates to greet us.

The bedroom featured a large, comfortable bed, built-in wardrobe, dressing table, plenty of storage space for clothes and a small flat-screen TV, and the bathroom had a large walk-in shower.

Best of all was the balcony, with a hot tub, table and chairs and barbecue, overlooking the River Earn.

Please visit https://largoleisure.co.uk/locations/braidhaugh if you fancy staying here - we can recommend it.

Food

Crieff is a thriving town and there is no shortage of places to eat and drink but I want to give a special mention to the dog-friendly Meadow Inn. This family-run pub offers a superb menu consisting of wonderful home-made food. The steak and ale pie encased in puff pastry and served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables was magnificent and worth every penny of the £18.95 it cost. My wife’s Cajun chicken salad came with stunning home-made coleslaw. There is also a range of home-made burgers and a mouthwatering rib-eye steak.

And if you still have room, I can thoroughly recommend the triple-layered chocolate fudge cake and home-made creme brûlée.

Places to Visit

If you are staying in this part of the world then you simply must visit Scone Palace on the outskirts of nearby Perth. It is where many Scottish kings were crowned. Owned by the Earl of Mansfield, whose family still live there, it is a building that simply reeks of grandeur and history, set in spectacular grounds. It was the original home of the Stone of Destiny. Book online and it will cost you just £19.75 to visit the palace and its glorious gardens.

Doune Castle is also well worth a visit. Built as the home of Regent Albany, Scotland’s uncrowned king. His rich tastes can be seen clearly in the architecture of the medieval courtyard castle.

You will probably recognise it as Doune is a popular film location and has featured in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Game of Thrones and Outlander. Entry is £10 - be prepared to climb some steep steps.

And then there is Cultybraggan Camp, nestling beneath the rugged Aberuchill Hills and alongside the Water of Ruchill. It was constructed during the Second World War to house up to 4 000 prisoners. Named PoW Camp 21, it housed dozens of SS officers, members of the Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe and Marine Corps among others. Many of them remained in the UK after the war and this is the story of their time in the camp. It comprises more than 80 Nissan huts and is now looked after by a community trust staffed by wonderful volunteers. It is a thriving multi-use community resource run by Comrie Development Trust (CDT). Numerous businesses operate and many community groups benefit from the site. It has been named by Historic Scotland as a Unique Heritage Asset of International Value. Entry is by voluntary donation.

What is The Golf Like?

And so to the golf. Crieff is within easy striking distance of Gleneagles and of course you can dig deep and sample this magnificent complex but there is another way to enjoy wonderful golf, breathtaking scenery - and NOT break the bank.

I want to tell you about four parkland courses, one an 18-hole layout, the others nine-hole tracks. They have several things in common - a warm welcome, great views and green fees that will delight you.

Crieff Golf Club

(Image Credit: Crieff GC)

The Ferntower course as it is now was opened in 1980 but the original course was established in 1914 and designed by Robert Simpson of Carnoustie and later modified in 1924 by the legendary James Braid. It is testing with magnificent views over the Strathearn valley which improve as the round progresses. The fairways are generous and the rough is cut short enough to avoid prolonged searching for balls. A round can be enjoyed by high and low handicappers alike. The course has hosted the Scottish Golf Union’s Clubs’ Championship, the Scottish Boys’ Stroke Play Championship and the Perthshire County Championship. It will cost you £70 to play here during the summer months and it is worth very penny. It also boasts a nine-hole course, The Dornock, a par 32 measuring 2,270 yards. 

Visit https://crieffgolf.co.uk/ for more information.

Comrie Golf Club

Comrie is just 20 minutes from Gleneagles and that means it shares the same spectacular views. Former Scotland rugby union captain Andy Irvine describes it as one of his favourite Scottish courses. It is a classic James Braid design. No two holes are the same. The greens will test your short game to the limit. There are also plenty of bunkers to be avoided. A variety of tees provide something for all levels. Some challenging carries are required from the blue tees, but the course can also be equally enjoyed from the forward tees, with additional help available from beginners/seniors tee positions on the third, fifth and seventh holes. The fairways are lined with birch, pine and larch trees and keep an eye open for red squirrels, mistle thrush, woodpeckers and roe deer. Nine holes will cost you £20, 18 holes just £35.

Fancy a round here? Check out https://www.comriegolf.co.uk.

Muthill Golf Club

(Image Credit: Muthill GC)

Proof that small can be beautiful. An undulating parkland course, with well-manicured greens, narrow fairways and picturesque views of Strathearn and the Grampians, Muthill is situated three miles from Crieff. A nine-hole course, it features 18 tees. It is well-bunkered and the tree-lined fairways demand accuracy from the tee. The stunning views alone make Muthill an attractive place to play golf, however as the course is also home to many wildlife species (hares, red kites, yellow hammers and tree creepers, etc), any visitor’s experience can include a few unexpected and exciting ‘sightings’. And check this out - full membership costs just £415 a year. Nine holes will cost you £20, while 18 holes is just £25!

You can find out more by visiting https://muthillgolfclub.co.uk.

St Fillans Golf Club

(Image Credit: St Fillans GC)

Voted Scotland’s best nine-hole course from 2019 to 2022, St Fillans is one of Sandy Lyle’s favourite courses - he holds the course record with a 66. It was designed by Open champion Willie Auchterlonie and the opening shot was played by the Countess of Ancaster on 8th August, 1903. The course lies on flat terrain on the south side of the River Earn on the Drummond estate and boasts fabulous putting surfaces. Auchterlonie’s original design has been added to over the years, increasing the length of the course. Green fees are £28 on weekdays and £32 at the weekend for 18 holes. Membership here is £425 a year.

Check out https://www.st-fillans-golf.com for everything you need to know.

The Verdict

To put things in perspective, you can play all four of these magnificent courses for a grand total of £158! I guarantee that you will not be disappointed. Now please tell me that does not represent incredible value for money.

What’s not to love about this part of Scotland? Crieff is a beautiful town with everything you could possibly want close at hand. Braidhaugh is in a stunning setting, there are plenty of historical sites within easy reach, and it is an absolute haven for golfers who want to play the game on a budget while enjoying some truly wonderful scenery.