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How to get a last-minute tee time in London

A guide from Last Minute Tee

Try to book a Saturday morning at a popular London course a few days ahead and you'll usually find it full. But "fully booked" rarely stays that way. Here's where tee times come back, when to look, and how to be the one who gets them.

Why weekends look full

Most courses open their tee sheet a set number of days ahead, and the best weekend slots go soon after. How far ahead varies from club to club, and members can often book before visitors. It's worth finding out exactly when your course opens bookings — the club's booking page or pro shop will tell you — and being there when it does.

If you missed that moment, the tee sheet isn't the end of the story.

Cancellations come back all week

Plans change. A fourball becomes a three, somebody's knee goes, the forecast turns, a work thing comes up. When that happens, the slot goes back on the tee sheet, usually with no announcement. That tends to happen in the days before, the evening before, and on the morning itself, especially when the weather's uncertain.

Whoever happens to be looking at that moment gets it. That's the whole game.

Seven ways to improve your chances

  1. Check the club's own booking page. It's the tee sheet itself, and it's where a cancellation shows up first. Booking sites that list lots of courses don't always show every time a club has.
  2. Look often, not hard. Checking once a day misses most cancellations. Several short looks, especially the evening before and early on the day, beat one long one.
  3. Be flexible on numbers. A single spot or a two-ball appears far more often than a full fourball. If you can play as a pair and join others, you'll get out more.
  4. Widen the window. 8am on a Saturday is what everyone wants. Early starts, early afternoon and twilight open up more often.
  5. Have a second course. Two or three courses within reach means far more chances to get out. London has plenty — see the list below.
  6. Ring the pro shop. Old-fashioned, and it still works. Staff sometimes know about a cancellation before it's back online, and a friendly regular gets remembered.
  7. Book the moment you see it. A freed-up weekend slot doesn't wait while you check with your mates. Book, then tell them.

Or let us do the looking. Last Minute Tee checks the club's own booking page every five minutes, day and night, and emails you the moment a tee time you want opens up. You book it with the club, the way you always do. Free to start, no card.

Find a tee time

The courses we watch

All 21 of them, mostly around London. Each has its own page with the details.

South West London

South London

West London

North West London

Surrey

Norwich

Quick answers

When do cancellations usually appear?

Any time, but often in the days before, the evening before and the morning of the round, and more when the weather is doubtful.

Can I book a tee time on the day?

Yes, if one's free. Many clubs take bookings right up to the tee time on their own booking page. Some prefer a phone call on the day, so check.

Is it cheaper at the last minute?

Sometimes. Some clubs drop the price on unsold times close to the day, but many don't. The club's booking page shows the price before you pay.

Does Last Minute Tee book the tee time for me?

No. We tell you the moment one opens; you book and pay the club directly.