A new survey from the Golf Highland co-operative, which represents 34 Scottish clubs, finds that 2025 green fees totalled more than £12 million – double the figure recorded in the first research project commissioned in 2018.
Not only is this good for golf clubs in the Scottish Highlands but, according to the group, it also means that golf tourism is injecting an estimated £60 million into the local economy.
And it’s not just world-renowned destinations like Royal Dornoch, the Castle Stuart Golf Links at Cabot Highlands and Nairn that are luring golfers in their droves.
Golf Highland chair Neil Hampton (pictured), general manager at Royal Dornoch, which recently unveiled a new £13.9 million clubhouse, said golf tourism – domestic and international – was now a key economic driver in the area.
“The Highlands has been attracting ever increasing number of golfers year on year since the pandemic and that is good news for all kinds of businesses, which enjoy substantial spin-off benefits,” he said.
“Golf Highland was represented at the recent Scottish Golf Tourism Week in Edinburgh and we were delighted with the interest being shown by tour operators at home and abroad, including several bringing golfers from China.
“It is estimated that for every £1 spent on golf, the wider economy benefits by £5.
“By that reckoning more than £60 million is spent by visitors across the Highlands in transport, food and beverage, accommodation and gifts, in addition to any golfing merchandise bought as a memento of their visit.”
Mr Hampton noted it wasn’t just the “signature courses” charting an income boost.
“In 2022, we saw 101,955 visiting golfers playing Golf Highland member courses and the latest figures are up 16 percent at more than 120,000. The latest clubs to join are Spean Bridge and Lochcarron.
“It’s great to see many of the smaller community clubs welcoming more visitor golfers, with nine-hole courses like Bonar Bridge and Ardgay, and the Isle of Skye, reporting rises of 95 and 66 percent in green fee income after investing in their websites and online booking systems.
“Members of the spin-off High9s Golf group are benefiting from a higher profile and golfers fitting in scenic, value for money, nine-hole courses to travel itineraries which might include some of the ‘bucket list’ courses.
“Many of our smaller community courses rely heavily on enthusiastic volunteers so any additional visitor income is to be warmly welcomed.
“Golf Highland has been supporting member clubs with marketing and financial workshops and encouraging investment in photography to showcase what they have to offer, and to enhance their social media presence.
“Neighbouring clubs are also being encouraged to work in partnership rather than seeing themselves as competitors.”
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