If you think about playing golf at night, then you’re probably thinking about heading to the driving range to work on your swing. But this doesn’t have to be the only way to enjoy your favourite pastime after the sun goes down.
Night golf offers you a fun alternative way to play, and is an excellent chance to develop new skills and sample courses in a very different way. This guide tells you all you need to know about playing night golf in the UK.
What’s great about playing night golf in the UK?
Playing night golf can give you a very different experience compared to playing during the day. Whether you’re relying on floodlights or a glow-in-the-dark ball for visibility, the dynamics of planning and executing each shot will be very different. You might not be able to rely on your usual sightlines and markers, and so it’s a good way to sharpen different skills.
The other major plus about night golf is that it gives you far more flexibility and convenience. If you have work or family commitments, then it can be difficult to find time to play during the week, and just as hard to get a tee time during the busy periods at the weekends. Night golf courses give you the chance to fit in a quick nine on a weekday evening.
Key things to know about playing night golf
As hinted above, there are two very different ways to play night golf, and your preparation and approach will vary substantially depending on which one you choose.
The first is to play on a floodlit course, in which case all you need to do is turn up with your clubs and play: the approach is just the same as daytime golf, and it’s just the source of light that’s different. However, it’s important to bear in mind that golf courses have to make major investments in night golf infrastructure, not to mention the fact that all those lights will be very expensive to run right now! As a result, you may well have to pay a premium for floodlit course access.
The other option is to play glow-in-the-dark golf, where only the essentials are illuminated: balls, flag poles, fairway sticks for guidance, golf buggies and so on. The glow-in-the-dark balls tend to be very hard and so won’t travel as far as you’re used to, meaning it’ll be tougher to achieve the same scores you might manage in daylight. And it’s much easier to lose them, so make sure you bring plenty!
In either case, it’s likely to be pretty chilly when you play night golf in the UK even in the summer, so don’t forget to bring plenty of layers and possibly even your winter kit with you.
Where to play night golf in the UK
Understandably, not every course is able to make the investment into enabling night golf. Indeed, at the moment there is only one course in the UK that offers floodlit play, which is Country Golf in Hull. Its nine-hole par three course is open late every Friday, and is suitable for all abilities and handicaps, so that everyone can get a taste of playing golf after dark.
Alternatively, there are many golf clubs around the UK that often organise one-off night golf events where they will temporarily illuminate a section of their course. These events are often open to non-members as a way to encourage people to join, or to raise money for charity.
Can I play night golf outside the UK?
Absolutely! If the thought of chilly nights in the UK doesn’t appeal to you, then there are plenty of countries with warmer climates that are packed with floodlit golf courses. It’s an excellent chance to combine your passion for golf with a holiday, and enjoy top-notch food, drink and accommodation at the same time.
Our recommendation would be to head for Dubai, where the hot desert sun makes evening golf the preferable option. Dubai is packed with some of the best courses in the world, many of which offer tee-times on nine-hole night golf courses up to 9pm and even beyond. Take a look at our guide on playing golf in Dubai for more information.
Get golf insurance with SportsCover Direct
As with any type of golf, playing at night has a certain risk of accident or injury. Indeed, these risks can be increased in the dark: you might stumble while walking in a poorly-lit area, or may hit and hurt someone with an errant shot which they can’t pick out against the floodlights.
These are just two of the reasons why having the best-quality golf insurance in place is essential for playing night golf UK style. At SportsCover Direct, our specialist golf insurance policies are suitable for all ages and abilities, covering accident and injury for yourself, liability if you injure someone else, and protection if your clubs are lost, damaged or stolen.
Our policies are available from just a few pounds a month, making them suitable even for golfers on the tightest of budgets. Compare our Golf Insurance policy to find the most suitable option.
