Join a Scottish Golf Club - let me explain...

When I paid my membership subscription at my home club Cruden Bay Golf Club this week, it was not lost on me that I have a VERY good deal. A world top 100 golf course designed by Old Tom Morris and redesigned by Tom Simpson, a great 9 hole course - the perfect spot to teach my two little boys the game, as well as great practice facilities.

Not bad for £875. Not per month…for the year. Better still, because I was a junior member I had no initiation fee!

Becoming an overseas member of a Scottish golf club gives a flavour of our golf culture in ways that can’t be achieved by one round or one visit.

By taking up membership at one of our great golf courses gives the golfer an anchor point for an annual trip and an opportunity to immerse yourself in the Club, membership and place.

Royal Dornoch is home to 700 overseas members and General Manager Neil Hampton explains the benefits,

“These members are hugely supportive and proud to wear club clothing and bag tags. They fly the flag for Scotland, the Highlands and Royal Dornoch at every opportunity, encouraging friends and contacts to make the trip across the Atlantic.”

The benefits don’t end there.

Depending on the level of membership (full voting rights may not apply), overseas members are able to take advantage of reciprocals with clubs both domestically in Scotland but also around the world, enjoy discounts in the Pro Shop and sign on friends/guests at a substantial discount.

Nairn Golf Club have made a real push to drive their overseas membership onboarding 40 new members this year already. An overseas membership here would cost £1,400 for the first year with an initiation fee and £750 for a renewal.

Members can sign on a maximum of three guests with them at any one time i.e to make up a 4-ball and can sign on the same person up to a maximum of four times within the calendar year. Other than this there are no restrictions and the guest fees are £30pp for AM tee times and £20pp for PM tee times.

With 2025 green fees at £300 per round and presuming that it is a golf club you want to play on repeat, membership is a no brainer.

Demand for overseas memberships for many of Scotland’s best links golf courses have, just like the tee times seen an unprecedented demand so don’t expect to pick up a membership at the likes of Muirfield, Crail, Cruden Bay, Royal Dornoch or North Berwick. Even 33-year-old me might not live to see my bag tag!

Some courses for your membership radar are as follows:

2026 tee times

If you are planning your 2026 Scottish golf trip know that Royal Troon and Carnoustie are holding requests so get in touch now. Royal Dornoch will be opening their tee sheet in late April while North Berwick will likely be May but that is still to be confirmed.

For golf trips to the northeast of Scotland for courses such as Royal Aberdeen, Trump International or Cruden Bay - did you know I own a holiday rental overlooking Cruden Bay Golf Club? Our 2026 calendar is open. Email us here.

Links, listens and reads

Sole greenskeeper at Durness scoops prize at Scottish Golf Tourism Awards

St Andrews Links battle coastal erosion with dumper trucks and sheep

St Andrews property overlooking Swilcan Bridge can be yours for £7 million

Podcast - Ru Macdonald Talks Cruden Bay & Scottish Golf Tourism