Cheapest Golf Courses in the UK — Under £20 per Round
Golf has a name as an expensive sport. However, cheap golf is easy to find in the UK once you know where to look. Council courses, nine-hole layouts and late tee times all cut the cost of a round. As a result, a full 18 holes for under £20 is still possible in many towns.
This guide explains what makes a course cheap and where to look first. It also shows how to save money on the courses you already play. Green fees change every year, so we only quote prices we checked on the operator’s own website, with the date.
What makes a golf course cheap?
The price of a round depends on a few things. Who owns the course matters most. Next comes its length, then where it is and when you play. Knowing these helps you find good value, not just the lowest price.
Council ownership
Council courses, also called municipal courses, are the main source of cheap golf in the UK. They exist to serve local people, so prices stay low. For example, Glasgow Life runs two courses for the city. Its 18-hole Littlehill course cost £10.50 per round in winter and £16.50 in summer for adults (2026/27 prices, checked 11 October 2026).
Our guide to municipal golf courses in the UK covers council golf in more detail. In particular, it explains how booking works and what to expect on the day.
Shorter courses
Short courses cost less to build and to run, and those savings reach players. A nine-hole course, a par-3 course or a pitch and putt is almost always cheaper than a full 18 holes. For instance, Glasgow’s nine-hole Knightswood course cost £6.50 in winter and £10.50 in summer (checked 11 October 2026).
Short courses also suit beginners, since a round takes far less time. Our guide to nine-hole golf courses and our par 3 and pitch and putt guide list good places to start.
Pay and play courses
Many privately owned courses also run on a pay and play basis. You book a tee time, pay at the desk and play, with no membership needed. Our guide to pay and play golf explains how it works.
Cheap golf in England
England has more public courses than any other part of the UK. Even so, prices vary a lot by region. The south-east tends to cost most, while council courses in the north and the Midlands are often cheaper.
In Greater Manchester, Heaton Park has a council-owned 18-hole course designed by J.H. Taylor. It opened to the public in 1912. Our page on golf courses near Manchester covers it with other good-value clubs. You can also check golf courses near Sheffield.
The Midlands has plenty of public and pay and play golf too. Our page on golf courses near Birmingham is a good start. Meanwhile, the directory lists golf courses near Leicester with holes and contact details for each club.
In the south-west, our page on golf courses near Bristol lists every course we have there, from private clubs to cheaper options. You can also browse every course we list in England by county.
One warning: some older lists still name Beckenham Place Park in south London as a budget course. Its public golf course closed during the park’s regeneration, so it is no longer an option.
Cheap golf in Scotland
Scotland has a strong tradition of public golf. Many towns have their own course, and even St Andrews has public courses beside the Old Course.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh Leisure runs six golf courses across the city, including Braid Hills, Carrick Knowe, Craigentinny and Silverknowes. Portobello and the Wee Braids are nine-hole courses. Edinburgh Leisure also sells golf passes: £45 for three days or £75 for seven days, valid on all six courses (checked 11 October 2026).
Glasgow
Glasgow Life runs Littlehill, an 18-hole course in the north of the city, and Knightswood, a nine-hole course in the west. Both are pay as you play, and juniors pay half the adult rate. For more choice, see our page on golf courses near Glasgow.
Cheap golf in Wales
Wales has many small community clubs with modest visitor fees. In addition, several clubs around Cardiff and Swansea welcome visitors on weekdays. Our guide to golf in Wales covers the main regions, so you can pick an area and then compare clubs.
How to find midweek and off-peak deals
When you play matters almost as much as where you play. These are the most common ways to cut the price of a round.
Midweek rates
Many courses charge less from Monday to Friday than at weekends. Because weekday tee sheets are quieter, clubs often price them lower to fill slots. This also applies at many private clubs that take visitors.
Twilight golf
Most courses offer a cheaper “twilight” rate from a set time in the afternoon. The start time changes with the season, so check the club’s own page. In summer, a twilight start still leaves enough light for 18 holes in much of the UK.
Booking sites
Online booking sites often list cheaper tee times that a course wants to fill. Booking a day or two ahead can uncover good prices. Still, compare with the club’s own site, since the price is sometimes the same.
Junior and concession rates
Junior rates are the biggest discount in golf. Glasgow Life, for example, charges juniors half the adult price. Many clubs also offer reduced rates for students and older golfers. If a rate is not listed, ask at the pro shop, since some discounts are not advertised.
If you have young players in the family, our guide to junior golf in the UK covers coaching, clubs and starter courses.
Is a nine-hole round worth it?
Yes, especially for beginners. A nine-hole round takes far less time, and it costs less too. It also suits:
- Beginners who are still learning to keep the ball in play
- Families with children who tire after a couple of hours
- Busy players who want a round before or after work
Top tips for finding cheap golf near you
- Start with council courses in your town or city
- Check twilight and midweek prices on the course’s own website
- Try a nine-hole or par-3 course for a cheaper, quicker round
- Ask about junior and concession rates when you book
- Practise at a range first, since our driving range guide explains how to get the most from a session
New to the game? Our guide to golf courses for beginners helps you choose a first course. Similarly, our guide to golf course types explains the difference between links, parkland and short courses. That way, you can spend your money on the right kind of round.
On the kit side, our guides to trolley bags and buying a second-hand electric trolley may help.
The GeoGolf Course editorial team writes about UK golf courses, places to play and tips for golfers of every level. We also keep an independent directory of courses across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
About GeoGolf Course →Frequently asked questions
Where can I find golf courses under £20 in the UK?
Council-run courses are the best place to start. For example, Glasgow Life's 18-hole Littlehill course charged from £10.50 a round in winter and £16.50 in summer when we checked in October 2026. Many other public courses price rounds well below private clubs.
What makes a golf course cheap?
Ownership, length and timing matter most. Council courses keep prices low because they serve the local community. Nine-hole and par-3 courses cost less to run, and late tee times are often cheaper.
What is a municipal golf course?
A municipal course is owned by a local council rather than a private club. It is open to anyone who books a tee time, so you do not need to be a member or hold a handicap.
Are there discounts for juniors or off-peak tee times?
Yes, at most courses. Glasgow Life, for instance, charges juniors half the adult rate. Many clubs also offer midweek and twilight prices, so always ask when you book.
Related reading
Best Golf Courses for Beginners in the UK
Best 9-Hole Golf Courses in the UK
