The arrival of October may mark the official end of the traditional golf season, but that doesn’t mean your clubs should be packed away just yet. In fact, autumn might just be one of the most rewarding times of the year to play.
Sure, the sunshine may not be as consistent and those long drives won’t roll out quite as far, but golf in autumn brings its own charm and plenty of advantages that make it worth continuing through the cooler months.
The Charm of Autumn Golf
Temperatures drop, daylight fades a little sooner, and while many people turn their attention to other activiries, the golf course takes on a quieter, calmer atmosphere. Autumn is the perfect bridge between summer and winter – a transitional season that offers golfers the opportunity to extend their play and enjoy a different side of the game.
For some, golf ends with summer. The clubs get stored in the garage, and they spend months wishing they had made more time to play. But it doesn’t have to be this way. The keenest golfers know that autumn golf is one of the sport’s best-kept secrets – full of beauty, value, and opportunity.
Below are just a few of the best reasons to keep playing as the leaves turn and some of the golf courses we recommend
More Space Out There
When the fair-weather golfers call it a day, the rest of us get the run of the place. Tee times are easier to come by, rounds are quicker, and the course feels that little bit more peaceful. There’s something special about having the fairways almost to yourself.
Easier on the Wallet
As peak season fades, so do the prices. Autumn brings lower green fees and tempting off-peak offers, giving you the perfect excuse to explore new courses or revisit old favourites without spending as much. You might even find a few hidden gems you’d never played before.
Keep the Swing Going
Golf takes constant practice – and the best players know there’s no such thing as an off-season. With fewer competitions on the calendar, you can relax, experiment, and work on your game without the pressure of chasing scores. Stay sharp now, and you’ll hit the ground running come spring.
All About the Views
Golden leaves, crisp mornings, and low afternoon sunlight – autumn golf can be stunning. The changing colours and quieter atmosphere make for some of the most memorable rounds of the year. It’s a time to slow down, breathe it all in, and remember why you love the game.
The Best Golf Courses To Play This Autumn
To help unearth some new courses, possible hidden gems, and venues offering the perfect mix of playability and value for autumn golf, we’ve been back through the Golfshake archives, previous autumn features, and the most recent course reviews to handpick some of the very best golf courses that are accessible to all golfers this autumn.
Abbeydale Golf Club Barton-on-Sea Golf Club Berkhamsted Golf Club Charnwood Forest Golf Club Chiltern Forest Golf Club China Fleet Golf Club Clandeboye Golf Club Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club Dunbar Golf Club Enville Golf Club Farnham Golf Club Foxhills Club & Resort Frilford Heath Golf Club Fulford Golf Club Hindhead Golf Club Laceby Manor Golf Club Lancaster Golf Club London Golf Club Mar Hall Golf Club Mid Kent Golf Club Rochester and Cobham Park Golf Club Silloth-on-Solway Golf Club Southerness Golf Club St Enodoc Golf Club Tandridge Golf Club The Manor House Golf Club The Roxburghe Golf Club Weston super Mare Golf Club Woking Golf Club Wynyard Golf Club Yelverton Golf Club York Golf Club Final Thoughts
Autumn isn’t the end of the golf season – it’s an extension of it. With quieter courses, better value, and some of the most breathtaking scenery of the year, there’s every reason to keep swinging.
So, before you hang up your clubs for winter, take advantage of this overlooked season. After all, golf isn’t just a summer sport – it’s a year-round passion.
