Best time to play
When to play golf in Scotland
Month by month: temperature, sunshine, rain and wind from the official weather service, with what the clubs themselves say about their seasons.
The wind
At Leuchars: calmer months are June, July, August (average wind 8.1–8.5 knots). Windier months are January, February, March (10.7–10.8 knots).
Leuchars, for St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high (°C) | 6.8 | 7.7 | 9.6 | 11.8 | 14.4 | 17.1 | 19.3 | 19 | 16.8 | 13.2 | 9.5 | 7 |
| Average low (°C) | 0.7 | 1 | 2.1 | 3.8 | 6.1 | 9.1 | 10.9 | 10.7 | 9 | 6.2 | 2.9 | 0.8 |
| Sunshine (hours a month) | 62 | 90 | 129 | 169 | 209 | 183 | 185 | 171 | 139 | 105 | 78 | 54 |
| Rain (mm) | 63 | 47 | 46 | 44 | 50 | 63 | 64 | 69 | 54 | 80 | 68 | 63 |
| Rain days | 11.9 | 9.5 | 9 | 8.3 | 10 | 10.9 | 10.9 | 10.6 | 9.3 | 11.7 | 12.3 | 11.6 |
| Average wind (knots) | 10.7 | 10.8 | 10.7 | 9.5 | 9.1 | 8.5 | 8.1 | 8.1 | 8.8 | 9.4 | 9.4 | 9.9 |
Met Office long-term averages, 1991–2020.
Edinburgh Gogarbank, for Muirfield and North Berwick
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high (°C) | 6.9 | 7.5 | 9.3 | 12 | 14.9 | 17.5 | 19.4 | 19.2 | 16.9 | 13.2 | 9.5 | 7 |
| Average low (°C) | 1.5 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 4.3 | 6.7 | 9.4 | 11 | 11 | 9.4 | 6.5 | 3.6 | 1.4 |
| Sunshine (hours a month) | 47 | 78 | 111 | 148 | 190 | 159 | 161 | 146 | 125 | 94 | 67 | 38 |
| Rain (mm) | 73 | 61 | 52 | 46 | 50 | 69 | 72 | 75 | 55 | 83 | 74 | 75 |
| Rain days | 13.3 | 10.7 | 10.3 | 9.2 | 10.8 | 11.1 | 11.4 | 11.2 | 10.5 | 13 | 12.9 | 13.1 |
| Average wind (knots) | 9.6 | 9.6 | 9.4 | 8.5 | 8 | 7.2 | 6.7 | 6.9 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 8.6 |
Met Office long-term averages, 1991–2020.
Strathallan, for Gleneagles
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high (°C) | 6.5 | 7.3 | 9.2 | 12.1 | 15.2 | 17.7 | 19.6 | 19.4 | 16.9 | 12.9 | 9.2 | 6.6 |
| Average low (°C) | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 3.7 | 5.8 | 8.8 | 10.6 | 10.3 | 8.4 | 5.4 | 2.4 | 0.2 |
| Rain (mm) | 118 | 86 | 76 | 54 | 61 | 71 | 81 | 77 | 69 | 109 | 99 | 110 |
| Rain days | 15.5 | 12.6 | 12.6 | 9.9 | 11.3 | 12 | 12 | 11.5 | 11.7 | 14.5 | 14.8 | 14.5 |
| Average wind (knots) | 7.2 | 7.6 | 7.5 | 6.8 | 6.1 | 5.7 | 5.5 | 5.3 | 5.7 | 5.9 | 6.2 | 6.3 |
| Sunshine at Perth (hours a month) | 43 | 70 | 115 | 164 | 188 | 160 | 173 | 155 | 122 | 83 | 62 | 35 |
Met Office long-term averages, 1991–2020.
What the clubs say about their seasons
- Gleneagles: Open all year round
- Kingsbarns Golf Links: Closed 8 November 2027 to 26 March 2028
- North Berwick Golf Club: Visitors 1 March to 30 November 2026; 1 March to 31 October 2027
- Dumbarnie Links: Closed for the winter; re-opens Friday 02 April 2027
- Muirfield: Visiting golfers are welcomed on Tuesdays and Thursdays year round.
- St Andrews Links: Low season runs 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027, with fairway mats in use on the Old Course.
Courses open to the wind
Only where the club itself says so.
- Muirfield: The club says calm conditions are the exception and golfers must adapt to frequent changes in the angle of the wind.
Championships here
- 8–11 July 2027Genesis Scottish Open 2027DP World Tour / PGA TourThe Renaissance Club · North Berwick, ScotlandOfficial page
- 15–18 July 2027The 155th OpenMajor (men)St Andrews Links · St Andrews, Fife, ScotlandChampionship week from 11 JulyOfficial page
- 30 September – 3 October 2027Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2027DP World TourSt Andrews Links, Carnoustie Golf Links, Kingsbarns Golf Links · St Andrews / Carnoustie / Kingsbarns, ScotlandOfficial page
Sources: the national weather service and the clubs’ own websites
- www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/location-specific-long-term-averages/gfjbwzhev
- www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/location-specific-long-term-averages/gcvw5vmsn
- www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/location-specific-long-term-averages/gfj27jy4d
- www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/location-specific-long-term-averages/gfj8c74ey
- www.muirfield.org.uk/
- www.standrews.com/golf/courses/old-course
- www.muirfield.org.uk/the-course/