Skip to content
    • Tour Homepage
    • PGA Tour
    • LIV Golf
    • DP World Tour
    • LPGA
    • LET
    • The Masters
    • The Open
    • The Players
    • US Open
    • PGA Championship
    • Ryder Cup
    • Solheim Cup
    • WITB
    • Betting
    • News
    • Features
    • Equipment Homepage
    • Reviews
    • Drivers
    • Fairway Woods
    • Hybrids
    • Irons
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Golf Balls
    • DMDs
    • Apparel
    • Shoes
    • Trolleys
    • Features
    • News
  • Buying Advice
    • Rules
    • WHS
    • Features
    • News
    • Instruction Homepage
    • Driving Tips
    • Long Game
    • Iron Play
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Learn from the pros
    • Course Management
    • Fitness
    • Mental Game
    • Nutrition
  • Giveaways
    • Top 100 Rankings
    • Travel
    • Top 100s Tour
    • Society Guide
    • NCG Golf Podcast
    • NCG Top 100s Podcast
    • Your Golf Podcast by NCG
  • Digital Magazine
National Club GolferNational Club Golfer Logo
  • TourHas submenu items

    Tour Homepage

    • PGA Tour
    • LIV Golf
    • DP World Tour
    • LPGA
    • LET
    • The Masters
    • The Open
    • The Players
    • US Open
    • PGA Championship
    • Ryder Cup
    • Solheim Cup
    • WITB
    • Betting
    • News
    • Features
  • EquipmentHas submenu items

    Equipment Homepage

    • Reviews
    • Drivers
    • Fairway Woods
    • Hybrids
    • Irons
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Golf Balls
    • DMDs
    • Apparel
    • Shoes
    • Trolleys
    • Features
    • News
  • Buying Advice
  • ClubHas submenu items
    • Rules
    • WHS
    • Features
    • News
  • InstructionHas submenu items

    Instruction Homepage

    • Driving Tips
    • Long Game
    • Iron Play
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Learn from the pros
    • Course Management
    • Fitness
    • Mental Game
    • Nutrition
  • Giveaways
  • CoursesHas submenu items
    • Top 100 Rankings
    • Travel
    • Top 100s Tour
    • Society Guide
  • PodcastsHas submenu items
    • NCG Golf Podcast
    • NCG Top 100s Podcast
    • Your Golf Podcast by NCG
  • Digital Magazine

Sign up here for our newsletter and you'll never slice a drive again. Promise.

Newsletter sign up

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
National Club Golfer Logo

© 2026 National Club Golfer | 2 Arena Park, Tam Lane, LS17 9BF

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Editorial Policy
  • Meet the NCG Team
  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
Country: gb Page generated at: Friday, 1 May 2026 at 7:22:31 British Summer Time
club
19th hole
Is it acceptable to play golf on Christmas Day?

published: Dec 18, 2023

|

updated: Apr 15, 2024

Is it acceptable to play golf on Christmas Day?

Matt ChiversLink

FacebookXInstagramYouTubePodcast0 comments

And are courses even open? If so, you could say it’s the perfect day to sneak in 18. The NCG team has their say

Christmas bauble

Table of Contents

Jump to:

  • Is playing golf on christmas day ok?
  • Are golf courses open on christmas day?

Play golf on Christmas Day? What an absurd thought! But it happens.

Are you planning on sneaking out between opening presents and the King’s speech? Here’s what the NCG team have to say…

Is playing golf on Christmas Day OK?

Tom Irwin:

I would play on Christmas Day just to avoid talking to people.

Hannah Holden:

I was literally scrolling our club website to book a tee time for a Christmas Day game of golf when I was asked this question.

Strangely enough, only one tee time was booked up. (Now two.) Why not get out early for some fresh air before you end up in a food coma later?

Steve Carroll:

If I could scale the fence at the club I would do this every year. It’s a perfect day for a quick nine holes.

There’s no one about, you’ve usually got some new gear to put to the test, and you can whizz around in about an hour. That’s exactly the time my other half is usually out of the house at the Christmas Park Run so everyone is a winner.

Dan Murphy:

This used to be a tradition when I was a kid. My dad and I would wander on to the golf course and play nine holes, with me usually trying out a new driver and one of those quite atrocious golf ball cleaner things from a well-meaning auntie attached to my bag.

Nowadays it’s not really on the agenda but hopefully when the kids get a bit older, why not?

golf on christmas day

Matt Chivers:

I don’t think it is actually. You don’t have to play golf on Christmas Day, do you? Having said that, I like the thought of taking your children out for a game and I’d no doubt enjoy that when I have some of my own.

Advertisement

But largely I don’t agree with it. As I said, you don’t need to play golf on Christmas Day. You wouldn’t go for a kickabout, so I don’t see the difference.

Tom Bullough:

The thought of heading out with some fresh golf attire, balls and the unwanted but appreciated giant dog headcover in the boot of the car is a lovely idea.

The reality of being slide tackled making a charge for the door as the dinner prep and tidying operation is underway doesn’t sit so well. If you can, do, if you can’t, settle in for hours of Hannah Holden’s YouTube content.

Jack Backhouse:

I really dislike playing games at Christmas, which is a problem as it’s basically a tradition in both my partner’s family and my own.

Playing golf would allow me to be out of the house and “sadly” miss these shenanigans while getting some much-needed fresh air.

Are golf courses open on Christmas Day?

Golf courses are generally closed on Christmas Day – particularly to visitors – but if you’re a member, it’s worth checking with the club to see if it’s OK to sneak out for a few holes.

NOW READ: Golfing Gifts For Christmas

So, should you be playing golf on Christmas Day? Tell us on Twitter/X!

About the author

Matt Chivers
Matt Chivers

Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.

Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.

Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.

Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as the Masters, The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spoken to many of the biggest names in the sport.

Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.

What’s in Matt’s bag: Cleveland HiBore XL Driver driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, Benross BR-Pro irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.

Twitter

Comments (0)

Leave a Comment

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

What's Popular

Victoria Golf Resort & Spa, Managed by Accor, in Vilamoura, Giveaway | Source: NCG

Win a 2-night stay for two at the Victoria Golf Resort & Spa, Managed by Accor, in Vilamoura

By Paul Miller | Apr 17, 2026

Read full article Win a 2-night stay for two at the Victoria Golf Resort & Spa, Managed by Accor, in Vilamoura
Golfers signing scorecards | Source: Getty Images Handicap allowances scorecard

Ireland, Scotland and Wales adopt WHS allowance changes – as England go it alone

By Steve Carroll | Apr 1, 2026

Read full article Ireland, Scotland and Wales adopt WHS allowance changes – as England go it alone
Bryson DeChambeau at LIV Golf Korea | Source: LIV Golf

Show me the money! How much has each LIV player made since signing up?

By Matt Chivers | Apr 28, 2026

Read full article Show me the money! How much has each LIV player made since signing up?
Is Tiger Woods playing in The Open

Where will The Open Championship be held in 2027, 2028 and 2029?

By Matt Chivers | Apr 27, 2026

Read full article Where will The Open Championship be held in 2027, 2028 and 2029?
how do you qualify for the Masters

How to qualify for the Masters in 2026

By Matt Chivers | Aug 26, 2025

Read full article How to qualify for the Masters in 2026
highest paid caddies

Who are the highest-paid caddies in golf? The figures might shock you…

By Samuel Neale | Oct 21, 2025

Read full article Who are the highest-paid caddies in golf? The figures might shock you…
MALELANE, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 05: Golf balls are seen on the practice facilitates prior to the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek Country Club on December 05, 2023 in Malelane, South Africa. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)

Can I get away with playing a ball that was out of bounds?

By Steve Carroll | Apr 27, 2026

Read full article Can I get away with playing a ball that was out of bounds?
David Puig of LIV Golf | Source: Getty Images

Big DP World Tour events still allow LIV Golfers to compete, but how?

By Matt Chivers | Apr 27, 2026

Read full article Big DP World Tour events still allow LIV Golfers to compete, but how?
golfers private jets

Which golfers own private jets and how much do they cost?

By Matt Coles | Oct 16, 2025

Read full article Which golfers own private jets and how much do they cost?
Gary Player of South Africa on the driving range before the final round in the 42nd Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 1978 | Source: Getty Images

Masters Special: Which Major golf brand could be the next to fade into history?

By Paul Miller | Apr 13, 2026

Read full article Masters Special: Which Major golf brand could be the next to fade into history?

Who is Rory McIlroy’s wife? Meet Erica Stoll

By Matt Chivers | Jan 3, 2025

Read full article Who is Rory McIlroy’s wife? Meet Erica Stoll
Masters champion Rory McIlroy plays an approach stroke during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club | Source: Kohjiro Kinno

Masters Sunday tee times 2026

By Matt Chivers | Apr 11, 2026

Read full article Masters Sunday tee times 2026