Last Chance to Grab a Winter Tee Time Bargain at Top 100 Golf Courses

Golf has experienced somewhat of a boom since 2020, with overall rounds played and golf club membership on the rise. As a result of such high demand, many courses have increased their green fees throughout the summer months, capitalising on this clambering for tee-times from golfers based in the UK, as well as those now more able to visit from overseas. Consequently, it’s not uncommon to see prices upwards of £250 per player at some of the UK’s most highly-rated courses for the 2022 season.

However, if you’re willing to take a small gamble on the great British climate, we think we’ve found the perfect solution to ticking off some of the best courses the UK has to offer...discounted winter tee-times!

It should come as no shock, but a large percentage of the UK’s most highly-rated courses share certain commonalities, namely the land on which they’re built. Scan down any Top 100 list, and you’ll see an abundance of both Links and Heathland courses. Whilst these layouts play differently throughout the year, both types of turf hold up incredibly well during the winter, usually draining better than inland parkland courses, or those built on heavy clay.

Owing largely to the unpredictability of the weather, as well as greens which may not be quite as quick as in the summer, many courses offer a reduced winter rate - allowing you to experience the full 18-holes at a fraction of the usual visitor pricing. Below we’ve picked out some of our favourite courses that offer the biggest savings throughout the winter.

Open Experiences

(Royal Liverpool)

The winter can be the ideal opportunity to take on an Open venue. With all of these courses laid out around the UK’s coastline, the sand-based links on which these layouts lie are ideal for play 12 months a year.

Some of our favourite options include; Muirfield, Royal St George's, and Royal Portrush which all come in at between £100-£125 in the winter. There are also good savings to be had on England’s Golf Coast, with Royal Lytham, Royal Birkdale and Royal Liverpool reducing their rates by up to 46% in the winter. However, these courses still start from £135 (Royal Liverpool), with Royal Birkdale priced at £185 throughout the winter - though this is a third less than their usual summer rate.

Heavenly Heathland

(Walton Heath)

Harry Colt famously called Swinley Forest his ‘least bad’ course design, and with Colt having a hand in some of the best courses on the planet, it really is a layout all golfers must experience. The course has become much more encouraging of visitors over recent years, particularly during the winter, with prices starting from £90 - more than 50% less than the usual summer green fee.

Nearby, the stretch of heathland which covers much of Surrey and Berkshire plays host to dozens of incredible courses, all benefiting in the winter from the land on which they’re built. Just across the road from Swinley Forest, The Berkshire Golf Club is home to two courses, both with a heavily subsidised winter green free of £125 (-50% compared to summer). Similarly, the two courses at Walton Heath are both priced at £120 throughout the winter, also 50% less than in the summer.

True Value

(Silloth-on-Solway)

Perhaps the best value golf in the UK can be found at Silloth-on-Solway. The £35 winter green fee is, frankly, unbeatable - and if you’re lucky with the weather, you’ll find a course which is eminently playable, and enjoyable, for all levels of golfer.

At the other end of the spectrum, the lack of American tourists throughout the winter enables one of the world’s highest-ranked courses, Royal County Down, to offer a massive discount of almost 70% throughout the winter. With a green fee of £90, it’s definitely worth making the trip across before the tourist rush to experience this magnificent golfing mecca.

Somewhere in the middle of the two above in terms of price lies Coxmoor Golf Club. The course is laid out across one of the highest points in Nottinghamshire, helping to keep it playable throughout the year. The club offers a discounted rate of £55 until the end of March (versus £90 usually), which even includes food and drink both before and after your round!

Planning

Before planning your winter adventure, here’s a few top tips of things to check with your course of choice:

Dates - generally winter rates run between November-March, but its imperative to check the website of your chosen destination as these can differ by as much as month or two!

Restrictions - although the mentioned courses generally hold up well, some may implement bans on trolleys throughout the winter. Similarly, others may use fairway mats for a certain period of time, this is definitely worth checking beforehand!

Timings - with the days shorter, and colder, it’s worth thinking carefully about your tee-time. Whilst an early start ensures you have enough daylight, there’s always the chance of a frost delay which can push your starting time back.

Course Maintenance - some courses use the winter to carry out work on the course. Make sure to ask about any planned hole or green closures before booking!

Added Extras - as if the reduction in green fees wasn’t enough! Some courses will even include things like a welcome coffee or bacon roll as part of a winter package - or perhaps offer a discount for a larger group. Make sure to check out your chosen club’s website to ensure you’re getting the best deal!

Armed with this information, we hope you’re able to take advantage of a last minute tee-time this winter. With many deals ending towards the end of March, move quickly to ensure you get the best deal for you and your group, as you get your 2022 season off to a great start! 

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