Where to play golf in Shetland

The Shetland Islands sit at the northernmost point of the UK and offer a golfing experience that feels wonderfully different to anywhere else in the country. Here, the courses are shaped by the elements: rocky headlands, rolling hills and the surrounding sea. There are few trees in Shetland too, meaning every course is exposed to plenty of wind and adding an extra layer of challenge for golfers.

If you are visiting in summer, don’t miss the chance to experience golf during the Simmer Dim – a period where the sun barely dips below the horizon and you can play late into the night under a soft, glowing sky.

Green fees in Shetland are quite reasonable compared to many mainland courses, and from May to September, the long daylight hours give you plenty of time to play. Most courses in Shetland offer club hire, so you don’t need to bring your own unless you prefer to. And if you do decide to travel with your own gear, it’s easy to bring clubs and equipment when sailing with NorthLink Ferries.

We hope the below guide is helpful for those looking to enjoy a golfing break in Shetland.

Shetland Golf Club

The 18‑hole Dale Golf Course sits just a short drive from Lerwick and is home to Shetland Golf Club. Set within a natural valley, it has great views over Dales Voe and the surrounding landscape.

This course was established in 1976 as a 9-hole course and was expanded two years later to become the 18-hole course known today. It stretches over 5,500 yards, encompassing generous fairways, water hazards and plenty of hills to keep things interesting.

Shetland Golf Club has a great range of facilities, including a clubhouse with a bar which is run by volunteers, so opening times can vary – we recommend contacting the club ahead of time if you are looking for a refreshment after your game. They also offer club and trolley hire, as well as practice facilities in the form of two indoor simulators, meaning you can practice all year round, whatever the weather.

Asta Golf Club

Opened in 1992 and still lovingly run by the Leask family of Asta, Asta Golf Course sits nestled between Tingwall and Asta Lochs and takes claim as the most northerly 9-hole course in the UK. The setting is nothing short of idyllic, with swans, oystercatchers, Arctic terns, Shetland ponies and bursts of wildflowers often appearing around the course.

Built on flat farmland, the course is ideal for beginners while still offering enough challenge to keep experienced golfers engaged. Each hole feels different with fast greens and angles to navigate. Asta also offers something unique: two different 9-hole layouts that switch halfway through each month. The Classic Course (yellow flags) is the more challenging of the two, while the New Course (red flags) offers a more open and forgiving round.

Visitors are always welcome and there’s no need to book ahead unless you are bringing a big group, and the clubhouse runs on a friendly honesty system for green fees and club hire. It’s a lovely spot to relax before or after a round, with drinks and refreshments available. If you time it right, you might catch the long-standing fortnightly music night which brings together musicians of all ages for a relaxed session.

Whalsay Golf Club

If you are after a round of golf with a real sense of drama, Whalsay is the place to go. Set on a small fishing island just north of Mainland Shetland, this is Britain’s most northerly golf course run by the community since its opening.

The 18-hole course stretches over 6,000 yards across open moorland with clifftop views, seabirds wheeling overhead, and the occasional seal or porpoise gliding past as you line up a shot. Bordered by the sea on both sides, the location leaves the course exposed to bracing winds – making conditions tricky even for the most experienced golfer. Visitors can make use of the pleasant and well-maintained clubhouse, with convenient club and trolley hire available on site.

Getting to Whalsay is part of the adventure: hop on the 30-minute ferry from Laxo, then it’s only a 10-minute drive from Symbister harbour to the golf course.

The Knab

Only a short stroll from Lerwick’s historic town centre, The Knab is a small 9-hole course with big views overlooking Breiwick Bay. It sits on a windswept headland which is popular with walkers thanks to its sweeping coastal scenery and peaceful setting.

The course itself is as simple as they come: no clubhouse, no facilities, no fees. From May to September, anyone can wander up with their own clubs and enjoy a round. But don’t mistake simplicity for ease. The Knab’s 939 yards still packs a challenge, with small greens, sloping fairways and a thick rough to contend with. Players can download a scorecard in advance if they wish before enjoying a relaxed pitch-and-putt style round against a spectacular backdrop.

Fair Isle Golf Course

Lying midway between Shetland and Orkney, Fair Isle is small island home to what might be the most remote golf course in the UK – the Lighthouse Keeper’s Golf Course. This six-hole layout was created in the early 1900s by the lighthouse keepers who once operated the southern lighthouse; they loved the game enough to build their own course.

After Fair Isle South became automated in 1998, the lighthouse keepers departed and the course became overgrown and faded away; however in 2006, islander Tommy Hyndman brought it back to life with a little help from the island’s sheep (who still keep the fairways neatly trimmed today!). The course rolls over a rugged peninsula of jagged cliffs and crashing waves on almost every side, offering a round that is as challenging as it is exhilarating.

It’s free to play though donations are welcome, and clubs, balls and tees are available on the island. Bring binoculars too, as the surrounding coastline is one of Fair Isle’s best spots for bird and whale watching.

By Amy Leith
Born and raised in Aberdeen with an admiration for Orkney and Shetland, loves to travel and visit new places, enjoys cooking, always listening to music, spends a little too much time on TikTok.

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