Autumn woodland and a mountain perfectly reflected in the still water of Glencoe Lochan

Shoulder season

Golf in Scotland in October

Autumn colour, quieter courses and softer light, with the clocks going back at the end.

Glencoe Lochan in autumn

Early October can be lovely: autumn colour in Perthshire and the glens, quiet courses and good value. Weather becomes more changeable as the month goes on, and rain increases on the west coast in particular.

The clocks go back on the last Sunday of October, so afternoons shorten sharply. It suits flexible groups focused on a few famous courses, with time for castles, whisky and the countryside.

Daylight in October

On 15 October, in UK local time. The latest start allows about four hours to finish 18 holes before sunset.

Sunrise, sunset and daylight on 15 October
Place	Sunrise	Sunset	Daylight	Latest 18-hole start
St Andrews	07:42	18:10	10 hr 28 min	14:10
Troon	07:48	18:19	10 hr 31 min	14:19
Dornoch	07:50	18:12	10 hr 22 min	14:12

How late can you tee off?

Choose a course and a date to see sunrise, sunset and the latest start that should let you finish 18 holes in daylight, allowing about 4 hours for a round on foot.

CourseDate

Sunrise: –
Sunset: –
Daylight: –
Latest 18-hole start: –

Typical weather

Long-term averages for October on Scotland’s three main golf coasts. Averages smooth out a great deal: expect the odd glorious day and the odd wild one, sometimes within the same round.

Average climate in October, 1991–2020
Coast	Average high	Average low	Rainfall	Sunshine
St Andrews, Fife and the east coastLeuchars weather station	13.2°C	6.2°C	80 mm	101 hrs
Glasgow and the Ayrshire coastPaisley weather station	12.9°C	6.8°C	134 mm	89 hrs
The Highlands and the Moray FirthNairn weather station	12.9°C	5.9°C	70 mm	83 hrs

Monthly averages for 1991–2020 from Met Office station records. The Paisley and Nairn stations closed during this period, so their averages cover roughly twenty years. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Average sunshine by month, east coast

Hours of bright sunshine per month at Leuchars, beside St Andrews (1991–2020)

100

150

200

Plan your routePick your courses and see the best order, drive times and where to stay.Playing the Old CourseHow the ballot, advance times and Sunday closures work.

Thinking of October?

Tell us your dates and the courses you have in mind. We will advise honestly on what is realistic and design the journey around it.

Begin Planning Your Journey