As the clocks shift back and the nights draw in, it’s impossible to not reminisce on the joys of evening rounds during the summer months. Tee times become increasingly competitive and even early afternoon rounds can become rushed. But what if there was a way to get around this, even if just for a special occasion.
Night golf is a phenomenon of the game that could be the solution to this issue. Floodlit fairways, glow in the dark balls, it all sounds rather alien to me, but it seems like an experience you have truly got to try out for yourself.
Night Golf: Great or Gimmick? What is The Hype About?
The hype seems pretty suitable to me, playing under the floodlights with glow in the dark balls – what more could you possibly want? Under the moonlight, the course will have a completely different layout, and not being able to rely on your usual sightlines and markers will benefit different aspects of your shot making game.
I particularly like the idea of the glow in the dark ball as it should make losing your ball near impossible. Any loose slices and hooks into the trees should be found quite simply, just look for the phantom orb that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie!
Many courses abroad offer night golf as a regular experience. This is especially beneficial in extremely hot countries, allowing golfers to escape the blazing sun by playing under the stars.
Where Can I Play Night Golf?
If you are based around Derbyshire, then you may be familiar with Morley Hayes Golf Club. Here, floodlights have been dotted around the Tower Course, pins have been illuminated, and LED golf balls are now available for purchase from the clubhouse, allowing you to play under the Derbyshire stars.
Just like Morley Hayes, other golf clubs have begun to set up night golf on their par-3 and academy courses. Some courses are also opting to set up one-off events where players can play their local course under the floodlights – so be sure to keep an eye on your local course’s social media pages to see if night golf could be coming to your area!
How Can Night Golf Benefit a Golf Club’s Revenue?
Golf courses in the UK are struggling to stay open. Overall costs of maintenance and many other factors are causing golf courses to shut their doors permanently across the country, despite the increasing numbers of people playing golf. Golf courses take an even bigger hit during the winter when many golfers put their clubs in the shed until spring rolls around. On top of this, golfers that choose to carry on playing throughout the winter cannot play half as much golf as they can during the summer due to the dwindling hours of daylight.
Therefore, it becomes pretty clear how beneficial night golf can become for a golf club’s revenue. Allowing golfers to play the same amount of golf during the winter as they can in the summer will have a huge affect on a golf club’s overall intake. Night golf does come with the additional staffing and electricity costs, but it remains a great option to help keep golf courses open!
Golfshake Ambassador Experiences
Andy Picken and Mel Davies, both Golfshake Ambassadors, spoke of their experiences of night golf in the UK.
Andy spoke of playing two rounds in one day at Broughton Heath Golf Club in Derbyshire. Illuminated tee boxes and flags, glow in the dark balls and head torches, it all sounded like great fun. Andy also spoke of playing alongside a scratch golfer who played immaculately as he dialled in on the flags and removed all distractions that hid in the dark.
Mel Davies said: “Tonight was the fourth time I’ve played night golf. The last two times have been at my home course Churchill & Blakedown. The club made the decision to buy all their own gear two years ago and do it all themselves. It’s been a massive success, and it is always full.
“You have to make sure you bring your own torches as it’s still very dark in places. I myself use a head torch which has been a great purchase. The golf itself is very good and enjoyable. You get to see the flight of the balls and exactly where they land. They are not 100% golf balls but they are very good. Once hit they stay lit for a good while enabling you to reach your shots.
“The fairways are marked out with lights as are all hazards and the greens. The flag is also lit up with lights wrapped round. Chipping and putting is a challenge but still good fun. All very good, really enjoyable and a real laugh. Definitely worth a go for anybody.”
Negatives of Night Golf in The UK
Night golf in the UK comes with one massive negative, however, the British weather. Daytime golf in the winter can be brutally cold at times, now just imagine how cold it would be on the fairways during the evening hours – just imagining it sends an icy shiver through my hands.
Night golf in the UK could definitely be enjoyed on the odd occasion, but if the freezing temperatures put people off doing it regularly, I wouldn’t blame them!
Playing Night Golf Abroad
If night golf is something you are desperate to try, but you would rather not deal with the harshness of the British weather, then here are some world class golf courses abroad that offer night golf throughout the year:
Carya Golf Club, Belek, Turkey
Thanks to a hefty investment, Carya Golf Club now has floodlights across the entire course, allowing you to play at any time of day. The course is kept in immaculate condition, and it is an extremely challenging and fierce course, with multiple hazards on every hole. The fairways are also notably tighter, making your accuracy off the tee crucial to your score.
Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, UAE
To me, the idea of playing golf under the Dubai sun sounds like a horror movie, but Emirates Golf Club offers the perfect solution to this problem. Here there is the Faldo Course and the Majlis Course, meaning you can play one course during the day, then the other at night. The courses themselves are some of the most prestigious courses in the world, and it is no surprise that the Majlis is the annual host for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
Al Hamra Golf Club, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
If you don’t get along with water hazards, then maybe this isn’t the one for you. With four inter-connected lagoons and the Arabian Gulf coming into play on the majority of the 18 holes, this course can challenge even the best golfers. For those who want to escape the beating Arabian sun, then there is also a nine-hole floodlit golf option available.
Ba Na Hills Golf Club, Da Nang & Hoi An, Vietnam
Designed by Ryder Cup legend Luke Donald, this course was opened recently in 2016. The front nine is carves through pine forests, whilst the back nine features more rolling hills, It features a lot of elevation changes which provides both impressive views and challenges for golfers. The course has 118 carefully placed floodlights, allowing guests to take advantage of the cooler evenings.
Night golf truly is something every golfer must experience, be sure to head over to Golfbreaks to find out more about these courses and to get the best possible deals on your visit.
Fin Tait is a sports journalism graduate and emerging golf writer for Golfshake. Originally from Sheffield, he brings a fresh perspective shaped by a passion for both playing and following the professional game. Fin enjoys early morning rounds and is focused on improving his own performance, working towards consistent scoring milestones. His writing blends personal experience with a growing knowledge of courses, travel, and the evolving landscape of modern golf.
