2025 Visitor Green Fees GB & Ireland

[Jeff Schley]

Wow can anyone say inflation? Didn't everyone get a 12% raise this year?
Here is 2024:   https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,72560.msg1742716.html#msg1742716


Spent a while and gathered 2025, which really makes us realize traveling to the top courses in GB & Ireland is not for the blue collar.

• Country
• Course by Top100golfcourses country ranking (not best, but easiest to use)
• I have the top 50 in that list for UK & Ireland listed
• I converted everything to US dollars. The conversion was as of today, 1.24 for pounds and 1.05 for euro.  a little lighter than the 1.27 / 1.09 of last year. In the second column, is the price increase over 2024 green fee.
• The price is for listed for 1 visitor green fee for peak summer 2025, midweek if cheaper.
• This is green fee only, not inclusive of any other caddie/buggie fees
• Sunningdale is $868 for both Old & New, Muirfield is $695 for 2 rounds/lunch. You can find Trump Turnberry for 350-400 pounds less after 2 pm it appears, pretty significant.
• Let's put our hands together for Woodhall Spa, the only course which actually went down by $1!  Currency change from last year was minor so they held steady.
• Several courses don't have listed fees, several are private (Loch Lomond, Swinley Forest, Wentworth), some you have to inquire (Ardfin, Rye, Royal West Norfolk, West Sussex).  If anyone has definitive 2025 visitor prices let me know.

• For the 16 England courses with prices it would cost $5,506 or $344 per round. This is a 9% increase over 2024 rates. Assuming Sunningdale 36 day promo rate.
• For the 17 Scotland courses with prices it would cost $7,656 or $450 per round. 16% increase over 2024 rates. To be fair, if we take out the outlier which is Trump Aberdeen which was a 97% increase, the other courses went up by 11%.
• For the 7 Ireland courses with prices it would cost $2,546 or $364 per round. 11% increase over 2024 rates.
• For the 2 N. Ireland courses with prices it would cost $1,004 or $502 per round. 13% increase from 2024.
• For the 1 Wales course listed it would cost $310 per round. 11% increase over 2024.
• For the 43 courses listed it would cost $17,022 or $396 per round. 12% increase over 2024.

England

Course	Dollars	% increase
Royal St. Georges-1	434	4%
Sunningdale-2/5	868	14%
Royal Birkdale-3	459	6%
Swinley Forest-4	not listed	xxx
Woodhall Spa-6	285	0%
Royal Lytham-7	434	7%
Ganton-8	310	25%
St. Georges Hill-9	353	9%
St. Endoc-10	198	4%
Royal C Ports-11	341	14%
West Sussex-12	not listed	xxx
Alwoodley-13	310	8%
Walton Heath-14	341	3%
Royal Liverpool-15	434	10%
Royal W. Norfolk-16	not listed	xxx
Rye -17	not listed	xxx
Silloth on Solway-18	136	13%
Hollinwell-19	273	13%
Wentworth-20	not listed	xxx
Berkshire-21	329	8%

Scotland

Course	Dollars	% increase
St. Andrews Old-1	422	4%
Trump Turnberry-2	1240	97%
Muirfield-3	453	5%
Royal Dornoch-4	397	12%
North Berwick-5	353	16%
Carnoustie-6	398	4%
Kingsbarns-7	556	5%
Castle Stuart-8	409	9%
Royal Aberdeen-9	329	6%
Trump International-10	614	21%
Cruden Bay-11	248	12%
Ardfin-12	not sure	xxx
Royal Troon-13	453	5%
Prestwick-14	384	12%
Loch Lomond-15	not listed	xxx
Gleneagles-16	465	31%
Dumbarnie-17	415	9%
Western Gailes-18	347	12%
Machrahanish-19	174	14%

Ireland

Course	Dollars	% increase
Ballybunion-1	420	10%
Lahinch-2	394	11%
St. Patricks-3	294	12%
Portmarnock-4	425	20%
European Club-5	336	6%
Waterville-6	368	12%
The Island-7	310	5%

Northern Ireland

Course	Dollars	% increase
RC Down-1	527	15%
Royal Portrush-2	477	11%

Wales

Course	Dollars	% increase
Royal Porthcawl	310	11%

[David_Tepper]

And this is with the U.S.$ relatively strong against both the British Pound and the Euro. The Pound was $1.33 in October. It is $1.24 this morning and is just about as cheap as it has been over the past 12 months (and the past 10 years).


[size=78%]The average exchange rate in 2024 was $1.278. It ranged from $1.342 to $1.235 during the year.[/size]


https://www.exchangerates.org.uk/GBP-USD-spot-exchange-rates-history-2024.html

[Rob Marshall]

I was told by a friend who called Calusa Pines that the unescorted guest fee he was quoted was $750. Golf has gotten crazy.

[Peter Sayegh]

Puts a lot of pressure on GCA members living in GB&I.
Now you GOTTA post pictures/comments when you play anywhere in the kingdom because some of us poor Yanks cannot justify a trip there anymore. I'm resigned to experiencing the birthplace of golf vicariously through you all.

It's sad-really sad.

[Ally Mcintosh]

We’re much more open to access whoring over here; so you’ll usually find a way to do it considerably cheaper.

[Jeff Schley]

Top 25 as per golf.com for comparison. Some bargains.
 

	Course	Cost
1	Pebble Beach	675
2	Pinehurst 2	595
3	Pacific Dunes	470
4	The Lido	?
5	Bethpage	140
6	Kiawah Island	670
7	Bandon Trails	470
8	TPC Sawgrass	675
9	Bandon Dunes	470
10	Whistling Straits	?
11	Pasatiempo	405
12	Harbor Town	650
13	Old Macdonald	470
14	Shadow Creek	1,250
15	Pinehurst 10	?
16	Lawsonia Links	140
17	Streamsong Red	370
18	Gamble Sands	225
19	Streamsong Blue	370
20	Sand Valley	295
21	Erin Hills	455
22	Sedge Valley	295
23	Spyglass Hill	525
24	Sheepranch	470
25	Pinehurst 4	?

[Mark Pearce]

These are the very top courses.  There's been inflation in the 2nd tier, too, but many of those remain very reasonable compared to 2nd tier US courses.

[Bernie Bell]

One of the reasons Portugal is on the rise as a destination.  Anecdotally at least.

[Thomas Dai]

When greenfee prices are mentioned I tend to think about how the price of eggs or milk or bread or meat or clothes or shoes or petrol has risen over time. I also consider how the desire for greater conditioning of golf courses has contributed to the cost of golf. And the price of that new set of irons or that new high tech Driver which Mr and Miss Average likely doesn’t hit any better than the previous model has contributed. Or how the modern era golf ball goes so bloody far that money has been spent extending courses and maintaining them too. Or that wee gadget that golfers these days hold to their eye that tells them how far away the flag is even though the player probably doesn’t have the skill to hit the ball that far with any consistancy.
Sure some things that cost more make the game more enjoyable, wet weather clothing and waterproof shoes for example, and there are supply and demand and input costs to consider and sometimes fleecing does occur but golfers sure don’t half spend a bunch of cash and institute changes (not necessarily improvements) on things that one could question whether are really necessary.
Atb

[Sean_A]

When greenfee prices are mentioned I tend to think about how the price of eggs or milk or bread or meat or clothes or shoes or petrol has risen over time. I also consider how the desire for greater conditioning of golf courses has contributed to the cost of golf. And the price of that new set of irons or that new high tech Driver which Mr and Miss Average likely doesn’t hit any better than the previous model has contributed. Or how the modern era golf ball goes so bloody far that money has been spent extending courses and maintaining them too. Or that wee gadget that golfers these days hold to their eye that tells them how far away the flag is even though the player probably doesn’t have the skill to hit the ball that far with any consistancy.
Sure some things that cost more make the game more enjoyable, wet weather clothing and waterproof shoes for example, and there are supply and demand and input costs to consider and sometimes fleecing does occur but golfers sure don’t half spend a bunch of cash and institute changes (not necessarily improvements) on things that one could question whether are really necessary.
Atb

WW

I recall the outrage when a litre of petrol hit £1 in 2000. I think it’s about £1.40ish today. Green fees are outpacing petrol prices by quite a margin. There are some valid reasons for the huge hikes, and some which are really about attracting more visitors and keeping a later generation of members happy. It has long my belief that golf was too cheap in the UK to properly care for courses and houses. The huge hikes offset this historical negligence and fueled excessive spending. Of course, in the immediate past years green fees are really about pricing to what the market will bear. I expect to see this trend continue.

Ciao

[John Handley]

Golf is definitely getting more expensive like everything else.  But a lot of it is still, supply vs. demand.  Most of the GB&I top 100 courses are in demand by traveling golfers, especially from the US.


I book trips for guys (www.legendarygolftrips.com) and not 1 person seems to really care if their trip is $7500 or $8000.  Now, I realize I am dealing with the upper end of the market.  But many of the visitors to the T100 courses, are those type of guys.


I am thrilled about my England trip this year....Alwoodley, Moortown, Ganton, Woodhall Spa, Brancaster, Hunstanton, Hollinwell, Sherwood Forest.  Off the beaten path for England in many regards.  But the cost, very friendly comparatively.


@ Jeff Schley. PM me if you need rates for a few of the courses that you don't have

[Michael Morandi]

The prices are depressing when you consider them on a per hole or per hour basis. I had one of my best golf  days at Sunningdale 12 years ago and I’m glad I did because, as much as I love the club, I can’t justify the fee. Absolutely critical to play with a member at these sought after courses.

[Chris Hughes]

Top 25 as per golf.com for comparison. Some bargains.
 

	Course	Cost
1	Pebble Beach	675
2	Pinehurst 2	595
3	Pacific Dunes	470
4	The Lido	?
5	Bethpage	140
6	Kiawah Island	670
7	Bandon Trails	470
8	TPC Sawgrass	675
9	Bandon Dunes	470
10	Whistling Straits	?
11	Pasatiempo	405
12	Harbor Town	650
13	Old Macdonald	470
14	Shadow Creek	1,250
15	Pinehurst 10	?
16	Lawsonia Links	140
17	Streamsong Red	370
18	Gamble Sands	225
19	Streamsong Blue	370
20	Sand Valley	295
21	Erin Hills	455
22	Sedge Valley	295
23	Spyglass Hill	525
24	Sheepranch	470
25	Pinehurst 4	?

The NYS resident rate on Black is $70 weekdays, $80 weekends (plus $5 "reservation fee").

Possibly the best value in golf worldwide...

(Los Verdes @ $45-$50 is right up there  )

Appears Brora has their sights set on the upper ($) tier in Scotland...

[Adam Lawrence]

Top 25 as per golf.com for comparison. Some bargains.
 

	Course	Cost
1	Pebble Beach	675
2	Pinehurst 2	595
3	Pacific Dunes	470
4	The Lido	?
5	Bethpage	140
6	Kiawah Island	670
7	Bandon Trails	470
8	TPC Sawgrass	675
9	Bandon Dunes	470
10	Whistling Straits	?
11	Pasatiempo	405
12	Harbor Town	650
13	Old Macdonald	470
14	Shadow Creek	1,250
15	Pinehurst 10	?
16	Lawsonia Links	140
17	Streamsong Red	370
18	Gamble Sands	225
19	Streamsong Blue	370
20	Sand Valley	295
21	Erin Hills	455
22	Sedge Valley	295
23	Spyglass Hill	525
24	Sheepranch	470
25	Pinehurst 4	?

But those are all public courses. The vast majority of the British courses you listed are private clubs. It's just that, in the UK, our private clubs choose to allow visitors to play the course on payment of a green fee. A more direct comparison would be the unaccompanied guest fee (if such a thing exists) at top American privates.

[Ben Sims]

Appears Brora has their sights set on the upper ($) tier in Scotland...

At the current exchange rate Brora’s £160 prime time summer fee is almost exactly $200. Less than half of the $450avg Jeff quoted for his choice of 17 top tier Scottish courses. If their sights are set on the top tier as you say, they’re a bit off. Cruden Bay and Machrihanish are the only courses Jeff listed that’s within even a c note of Brora.

[Sean_A]

Appears Brora has their sights set on the upper ($) tier in Scotland...

At the current exchange rate Brora’s £160 prime time summer fee is almost exactly $200. Less than half of the $450avg Jeff quoted for his choice of 17 top tier Scottish courses. If their sights are set on the top tier as you say, they’re a bit off. Cruden Bay and Machrihanish are the only courses Jeff listed that’s within even a c note of Brora.

Brora was £29 in 2007 and I thought it was a great deal. The jump to the current fee is astronomical and catching up to the big boys in hurry after recent massive hikes. Mind you, I can understand some of the recent price rise. More £ needs to be budgeted to pay off the farmers for the grazing rights. Dornoch’s fee was £79.

Ciao

[Ben Sims]

Appears Brora has their sights set on the upper ($) tier in Scotland...

At the current exchange rate Brora’s £160 prime time summer fee is almost exactly $200. Less than half of the $450avg Jeff quoted for his choice of 17 top tier Scottish courses. If their sights are set on the top tier as you say, they’re a bit off. Cruden Bay and Machrihanish are the only courses Jeff listed that’s within even a c note of Brora.

Brora was £29 in 2007 and I thought it was a great deal. The jump to the current fee is astronomical and catching up to the big boys in hurry after recent massive hikes. Mind you, I can understand some of the recent price rise. More £ needs to be budgeted to pay off the farmers for the grazing rights. Dornoch’s fee was £79.

Ciao

Sean,


I totally understand. One can have valid thoughts about Brora’s rise in prices without surmising that $200 is similar $450 as Chris did. Brora’s prices remain distinctly different from the top tier Scottish courses.

[PCCraig]

RCD is worth every penny.

[Niall C]

I recall the outrage when a litre of petrol hit £1 in 2000. I think it’s about £1.40ish today. Green fees are outpacing petrol prices by quite a margin.
Ciao

Yes, but rich overseas visitors aren't coming over to buy petrol in bulk so as to dictate the market. That's what's basically happened with golf, those prices are basically aimed at overseas visitors. Jeff doesn't seem to have investigated it but I suspect that quite a few of those clubs/courses do a local rate also.


Niall

[Matt Schoolfield]

While folks generally seem to lament this inflation, I think it’s more important to remember that these private clubs are still providing access, and we should be extremely grateful for that. They don’t have to, I’m quite sure many of these clubs could fill up their tee sheets with guests.

I also think this is a moment where I would push again that there is no prominent rating/ranking system that considers access and value in their rating. As interest in quality golf architecture increases, I certainly think that would be a valuable metric for most people.

I have contended before that I think the current system of rating/ranking is designed to favor clubs over golfers. As prices increase to the point of not just to meeting demand, but actively reducing it, the concept of the value of an experience will become more useful than just highlighting architectural excellence. I realize these prices don’t affect the membership of this forum significantly, as many of us have non-trivial connections to clubs, but I just think that market incentives should reward lists that take value into account as this new pricing paradigm continues.

Again, always a big thank you to clubs out there that offer access when they don’t need to.