The sun setting low over the rocky shoreline at Kingsbarns, with long grasses in the foreground

Our pick

Golf in Scotland in September

Firm, fast links, golden light and easing crowds. A favourite of seasoned visitors.

Evening on the shore at Kingsbarns, Fife

September is beloved by experienced visitors. After the summer, courses are often at their firmest and fastest, the evening light turns golden, and demand eases once the school holidays are over.

Days are shorter than in June but still generous. Towards the end of the month, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship affects availability at the Old Course, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.

Daylight in September

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

Sunrise, sunset and daylight on 15 September
Place	Sunrise	Sunset	Daylight	Latest 18-hole start
St Andrews	06:41	19:29	12 hr 48 min	15:29
Troon	06:50	19:36	12 hr 47 min	15:36
Dornoch	06:45	19:36	12 hr 51 min	15:36

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 September 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 September, 1991–2020
Coast	Average high	Average low	Rainfall	Sunshine
St Andrews, Fife and the east coastLeuchars weather station	16.8°C	9°C	55 mm	133 hrs
Glasgow and the Ayrshire coastPaisley weather station	16.7°C	9.9°C	99 mm	116 hrs
The Highlands and the Moray FirthNairn weather station	16.2°C	8.7°C	59 mm	115 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 September?

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