Is it acceptable to play golf on Christmas Day?
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
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?
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.
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!
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, 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 Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some 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: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
