[Jeff Schley]

I didn't want to thread hijack Sean's Scotland price gouging thread as this is broader. First, it is great that the model in the UK is very welcoming to visitors. Second, yes it has gotten quite expensive, but supply and demand, if you can't afford it stay home.
So I have some lists below sorted by:

• Country
• Course by Top100golfcourses country ranking (not best, but easiest to use)
• I have the top 50 in that list for UK & Ireland listed
• Local currency is first column with US dollars conversion (1.27 for pounds and 1.09 for euro) in the second column
• The price is for listed for 1 visitor green fee for peak summer 2024, midweek if cheaper.
• This is green fee only, not inclusive of any other caddie/buggie fees
• Sunningdale is $762 for both, Muirfield is $667 for 2 rounds/lunch
• Several courses don't have listed fees (Royal Aberdeen technical issue), several are private (Loch Lomond, Swinley Forest, Wentworth), some you have to inquire (Ardfin, Rye, Royal West Norfolk).  If anyone has definitive 2024 visitor prices let me know.

• For the 17 England courses with prices it would cost $5,232 or $308 per round. Assuming Sunningdale 36 day promo rate
• For the 16 Scotland courses with prices it would cost $6,118 or $382 per round.
• For the 7 Ireland courses with prices it would cost $2,262 or $323 per round.
• For the 2 N. Ireland courses with prices it would cost $889 or $445 per round.
• For the 1 Wales course listed it would cost $279 per round.
• For the 43 courses listed it would cost $14,780 or $344 per round.
• We can maybe do this list again in 2025 and we have a running total to refer to.

England

Course	pounds	dollars
Royal St. Georges-1	330	419
Sunningdale-2/5	600	762
Royal Birkdale-3	340	432
Swinley Forest-4	not listed	xxx
Woodhall Spa-6	225	286
Royal Lytham-7	320	406
Ganton-8	195	248
St. Georges Hill-9	255	324
St. Endoc-10	150	191
Royal C Ports-11	235	298
West Sussex-12	150	191
Alwoodley-13	225	286
Walton Heath-14	260	330
Royal Liverpool-15	310	394
Royal W. Norfolk-16	not listed	xxx
Rye -17	not listed	xxx
Silloth on Solway-18	95	121
Hollinwell-19	190	241
Wentworth-20	not listed	xxx
Berkshire-21	240	305

Scotland

Course	pounds	dollars
St. Andrews Old-1	320	406
Trump Turnberry-2	495	629
Muirfield-3	340	432
Royal Dornoch-4	280	356
North Berwick-5	240	305
Carnoustie-6	300	381
Kingsbarns-7	418	531
Castle Stuart-8	295	375
Royal Aberdeen-9	not listed	xxx
Trump International-10	400	508
Cruden Bay-11	175	222
Ardfin-12	not sure	xxx
Royal Troon-13	340	432
Prestwick-14	270	343
Loch Lomond-15	not listed	xxx
Gleneagles-16	280	356
Dumbarnie-17	299	380
Western Gailes-18	245	311
Machrahanish-19	120	152

Ireland

Course	euros	dollars
Ballybunion-1	350	382
Lahinch-2	325	354
St. Patricks-3	240	262
Portmarnock-4	325	354
European Club-5	290	316
Waterville-6	300	327
The Island-7	270	294

Northern Ireland

Course	pounds	dollars
RC Down-1	360	457
Royal Portrush-2	340	432

Wales

Course	pounds	dollars
Royal Porthcawl	220	279

[JMEvensky]

Thanks for putting this together.

[Bill Gayne]

Jeff, thanks for taking the time to compile the list. Another chat that I participate on, someone posted they were in the planning stages of a trip to Scotland and the first response "Go to Nebraska. Same golf better weather."  With the 2024 level of green fees in GBI, COVID pent-up demand or so called "revenge travel" coming to an end, and much improved new offerings in North America there will be a softening in demand. Looking out five years, with the exception of the very few at the top, I think the rates will be flat with the current pricing but more likely less.

[Darragh Garrahy]

Portmarnock is 325 euros

[Sean_A]

Jeff, thanks for taking the time to compile the list. Another chat that I participate on, someone posted they were in the planning stages of a trip to Scotland and the first response "Go to Nebraska. Same golf better weather."  With the 2024 level of green fees in GBI, COVID pent-up demand or so called "revenge travel" coming to an end, and much improved new offerings in North America there will be a softening in demand. Looking out five years, with the exception of the very few at the top, I think the rates will be flat with the current pricing but more likely less.

I have never known high season standard rates to drop except for the odd course in Ireland.

Some clubs may continue price hikes if inflation remains and as a way to reduce visitors. It all makes sense even if it is leading top golf back to a rich man’s game.

I am lucky to have hit a sweet spot of a few decades of decent presentation combined with mostly reasonable green fees when I wanted to travel most.

Ciao

[Darragh Garrahy]

Jeff, thanks for taking the time to compile the list. Another chat that I participate on, someone posted they were in the planning stages of a trip to Scotland and the first response "Go to Nebraska. Same golf better weather."  With the 2024 level of green fees in GBI, COVID pent-up demand or so called "revenge travel" coming to an end, and much improved new offerings in North America there will be a softening in demand. Looking out five years, with the exception of the very few at the top, I think the rates will be flat with the current pricing but more likely less.

Bill, seeing the numbers/waiting list here at my club in Dublin, there is nothing but a parabolic demand for top links golf. I would foresee some top clubs in Gb&I even significantly increasing their green fees in the next five years, all things being equal and economies continuing to trot on.

[Bill Gayne]

Interesting that both of you located in the local markets take a much more bullish point of view than me looking at it from the outside.

[Sean_A]

Interesting that both of you located in the local markets take a much more bullish point of view than me looking at it from the outside.

Donal is right. When visitor times for the year sell out by Jan/Feb I don’t see why clubs would stall fees.

Ciao

[Stewart Abramson]

If one doesn't go "Big Name Hunting", the green fees are somewhat more reasonable. The following are the 2024 peak season weekday rates at the courses listed #25-80 in England on the top 100 website. The mean fee for these courses is 149 GBP. (188 USD) Better rates are available for twilight etc. For clubs like Walton Heath, The Berkshire, Royal Ashdown and Woburn, there are deep discounts for booking both courses. A few courses haven't listed their 2024 peak season rates yet.


 

	Hankley £     145.00		$          184.15
Burnham & Berrow	£     150.00		$          190.50
Queenwood	n/a
Woking	£     180.00		$          228.60
Hunstanton	£     150.00		$          190.50
Worplesdon	£     185.00		$          234.95
Liphook	£     145.00		$          184.15
Westhill	£     160.00		$          203.20
Berkshire Blue	£     240.00	165 @ if you play both courses	$          304.80
Princes	£     145.00		$          184.15
West Lancs	£     195.00		$          247.65
Broadstone	£     130.00		$          165.10
Parkstone	£     125.00		$          158.75
Walton Heath New	£     260.00	192.50 @ if you play both courses	$          330.20
Hindhead	n/a
JCB	n/a
New Zealand	n/a
Delamore Forst	£     130.00		$          165.10
Southport & Ainsdale	£     200.00		$          254.00
Moortown	£     140.00		$          177.80
Wentworth East	n/a/
Royal Ashdown Old	£     140.00	80 @if you play both courses	$          177.80
Adleburgh	£     145.00		$          184.15
Woburn Marquess	£     225.00	182.50 @ if you play both courses	$          285.75
Ferndown Old	£     170.00		$          215.90
Ipswich Purdis Heath	£     125.00		$          158.75
Woburm Duke's	£     225.00	182.50 @ if you play both courses	$          285.75
Beau Desert	n/a/
Sherwood Forest	£     135.00		$          171.45
Little Aston	£     150.00		$          190.50
Bearwood Lakes	n/a/
Remdy Oak	£     160.00		$          203.20
Saunton West	£     145.00		$          184.15
Addington	£     140.00		$          177.80
Royal North Devon	£     100.00		$          127.00
Coombe Hill	n/a/	170 in 2023
Wallasey	£     195.00		$          247.65
Wisley Church & Garden	n/a/
Hayling	£     115.00		$          146.05
Lindrick	£     125.00		$          158.75
Stoneham	£     115.00		$          146.05
Trevose	£     105.00		$          133.35
Littlestone	£     125.00		$          158.75
Seacroft	£       80.00		$          101.60
Perranporth	n/a/
East Devon	n/a/	85 in 2022
Blackmoor	£     110.00		$          139.70
Seaton Carew	n/a
Huntercombe	£     120.00		$          152.40
Tandridge	n/a	100 in 2023
St Mellion Nicklaus	£       90.00		$          114.30
Blackwell	£     110.00		$          139.70
Royal Wimbeldon	n/a
Camberley Heath	£       98.00		$          124.46

[David_Tepper]

The one wild card is the exchange rate between the US$ and the British Pound & the Euro. The US$ has been strong for the past 8-10 years.

The dollar vs. the pound was above $1.50 from 2010 to 2016 and was even higher before that, crossing $2.00 in 2008.
 
The Euro cost between $1.25 and $1.50 from roughly 2006 to 2014. 

It will be interesting to see how golf travel is impacted if the US$ declines in value by 15%-20% or more vs. those currencies. It could happen.

[Tom Birkert]

Sunningdale Old or New is £350 for either and £600 for both. Not sure the - very helpful - chart makes this particularly clear.

[Jeff Schley]

Sunningdale Old or New is £350 for either and £600 for both. Not sure the - very helpful - chart makes this particularly clear.

Tom, correct.  I tried to note that in point 7 where it is $762 for both. Also, the England $ per round average is noted as factoring in a 36 hole day at Sunningdale. Not perfect as the formatting isn't fun.

[Ian Mackenzie]

Price gouging is happening all over the world.


I mean...do YOU really want to pay $409 for a 5 hour round to play the Ritz Carlton Tiburon course in Naples, FL designed by Greg Norman?


Price-gouging is not limited to golf.
It's just that golf-gouging is somewhat a new phenomenon.


Who's been out for sushi recently?
F-me...that's a gouge and half!


At least with golf you can get a little smarter and book some killer values that will deliver the experience of true links golf w/o all the tour vans and box lunches.

[Tommy Williamsen]

You can have both good golf, a beautiful coast, and a great time in Southwest England for reasonable prices. I love it in Devon and Cornwall. These are in-season prices. The courses also have twilight fees that are much cheaper.
                                Pounds.   Dollars
Saunton (both)            220       279
St Enodoc.                    150.       191
Burnham & Berrow.      150.       191
Royal North Devon       100.       127
Trevose.                     105.       134

Overseas memberships as Sauton and RND are inexpensive.

[Ben Sims]

You can join a Golf Mag Top 100 World course (that’s also on Jeff’s list) for the cost of *one round* at Kingsbarns.

[Dan_Callahan]

You can still play Enniscrone and Carne for less that 200 Euros. And some of the other courses in Ireland, like Rosses Point, if you buy a day pass and play 36 you'll average less than 200 a round. Even still, it's incredible how quickly the prices have gone up in the last five years. There's no doubt they gouge the overseas visitor. On the other hand, it's still less than many of the top public courses in the US. And I appreciate that the vast majority of great courses in the UK and Ireland allow public access.

[Jeff Schley]

We often aim at Kingsbarns and Dunbarnie etc. for their high greens fees, however what about Trump Turnberry as the highest on the list at $629!  This is almost $100 more than the second highest, Kingsbarns at $531.  That is significant.  Also did anyone check out what was third right after Kingsbarns, as that is another Trump course, Trump International up in Aberdeen for $508.  Can that area support that price? Aberdeen isn't Fife.

[David_Tepper]

Speaking of price inflation/gouging, has anyone checked out transatlantic airfares lately for this coming summer? 30% to 50% higher than there were last year.

[Ben Sims]

Speaking of price inflation/gouging, has anyone checked out transatlantic airfares lately for this coming summer? 30% to 50% higher than there were last year.

Look closer and you’ll see that many of these aircraft are only 20% full at the moment. I expect airfare to decrease at least somewhat over the next couple months before it stabilizes.

[David_Tepper]

Ben -

I sure hope you are right.

DT

[Adam Lawrence]

You can still play Enniscrone and Carne for less that 200 Euros. And some of the other courses in Ireland, like Rosses Point, if you buy a day pass and play 36 you'll average less than 200 a round. Even still, it's incredible how quickly the prices have gone up in the last five years. There's no doubt they gouge the overseas visitor. On the other hand, it's still less than many of the top public courses in the US. And I appreciate that the vast majority of great courses in the UK and Ireland allow public access.

It's not overseas visitors. It's visitors generally. I am not aware of any clubs that have a specially high American rate 

[John Handley]

I spoke to a GM of a Top 100 GB&I course this week and he acknowledged that prices have gotten a little high and he expects them to level out.  While there has been a flood of visitors since Covid, people are starting to take notice.  Golf is off-the-charts expensive and it's not just UK&I. 


I love Bandon Dunes and have been there 8x.  My last visit in Sept was $6K for Wed-Sun.  $350 a night for the room, $350 for the first round, $175 for the second round.  But to their credit, they are mostly sold out for 2024.  So pricing is a supply & demand thing.



But I just got back from the grocery store and it is ridiculous.  Pretty much anything you put into the cart is $5 or more.  We just got back from skiing in Park City, UT and luckily we have season passes but the daily fee to ski is over $250 now.  I guess that is cheap compared to golf. 

[Ally Mcintosh]

GB&I. Golf is geographical, not political.


Anyone have an inkling of the %ge of visitors to top links courses that are American (or Overseas) in 2023 vs 1983?

[Dan_Callahan]

It's not overseas visitors. It's visitors generally. I am not aware of any clubs that have a specially high American rate 

I was talking about Ireland, and given that it's an island, I would consider pretty much all visitors as being "overseas." Wasn't limiting that to just Americans.

[Niall C]

It's not overseas visitors. It's visitors generally. I am not aware of any clubs that have a specially high American rate 

I was talking about Ireland, and given that it's an island, I would consider pretty much all visitors as being "overseas." Wasn't limiting that to just Americans.

A visitor is anyone who isn't a member of the club. I don't know about Ireland but in Scotland at a lot of clubs most visitors are Scottish/locals and therefore not from overseas.


Niall

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