Staggering rise of UK green fees revealed

A new study has revealed the staggering rise of green fees at top golf clubs in the UK over the last decade.

Conducted by UK Golf Guy, a popular account on X, it shows that the average green fee at a selection of top 20 venues has increased by 105% between 2015 and 2025.

In 2015, the average green fee for a top 20 course was £182, but that sum has crept up to an average of £374 only ten years later.

While this represents peak summer rates, the findings make for tough reading for the average golfer. Had green fees risen in line with UK inflation, the average cost would be just £246.

As noted, the biggest percentage change has been seen at North Berwick Golf Club, in East Lothian. Its green fee has risen by 185% from £100 to £285.

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Meanwhile, Royal Dornoch has risen 167%, from £120 to £320, Trump Turnberry 120%, from £250 to £600, and Trump International 130%, from £215 to £495.

Some of the Open venues have shot up, too. Royal Portrush is up 114%, from £180 to £385, St Andrews 100%, from £170 to £340, and Royal Birkdale 78%, from £225 to £400.

Like UK Golf Guy wrote, several trends have emerged over the last ten years that would point to increased rates.

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In some places, members’ annual fees being subsidised by visitor green fees, while fewer visitor’s times are being made available at some clubs (see Elie in the summer of 2025).

Costs have also skyrocketed at clubs all over the UK and others have enjoyed a higher percentage of visitors from overseas.

You can read the full thread here.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.