Can You Join A Golf Club In Scotland?

Scottish golf clubs are almost always semi-private, which means they have membership rosters, but also do their best to make visitors welcome. In many clubs, only members are allowed to play on the weekends, which is good news for anyone on vacation, because midweek is cheaper! A number of courses have affiliate memberships that provide non-residents a limited range of privileges.

Play golf in Scotland...

St. Andrews is an obvious prime destination for most North American golfers. Playing the Old Course is considered a privilege, and tee times are often booked many months in advance, or by lottery. The Heritage Golfing Society, a St. Andrews golf club, was founded for non residents. Membership allows you to develop and maintain an international handicap, use certain clubhouse facilities right at St. Andrews, gives you access to affiliated clubs around the world, as well as advice and assistance in booking tee times at St. Andrews, and the ability to "network" with other St. Andrews members. (www.standrews.com/hgss/hgsmembership.htm). The 2005 cost is a reasonable $65 US.

If you want to try some of the hidden gems in the Scottish Highlands, check out the web site of the Highland Golf Club (www.golfhighland.com). Joining the club will cost you 250GBP, but this allows you to play any of about 20 courses at no charge (one membership per twosome). Club membership also gives you access to extensive information on the 46 or so courses in the Highlands, the ability to obtain an international handicap, and the opportunity to meet and correspond with some fellow golfers in Scotland. Other discount packages are also available.

The International Golfers Club (www.golfclubgb.co.uk) is based in England and offers similar membership benefits: information on member and "friendly" courses, discount offers, handicap monitoring, advice on where to play and where to stay, etc. Membership is 16.50GBP for a 3 month trial membership.

Country Memberships, especially for out-of-country visitors are available at a number of golf courses through out Scotland.

• The Tain Golf Club (www.tain-golfclub.co.uk) offers a country
  membership for 150GBP. This allows you to play as often as
  you want for an entire year, and lets you bring a limited number of guests at a reduced rate.
• Nairn Dunbar (www.nairndunbar.com/membership.htm) a country
  membership costs 275GBP to join plus 160GBP per year.
• Inverness(http://www.invernessgolfclub.co.uk/overseas/
  overseas_key_features.htm) such a membership costs 294GBP.
• At Cruden Bay a favorite of many travelers, it is 180GBP for the men, and 170 for the women.(www.crudenbaygolfclub.co.uk)