Discover the magic of night golf: A first-hand experience under the lights

There is something special about stepping onto a golf course after sunset. The temperature drops, the floodlights come on and a familiar game suddenly feels completely different.

Night golf has become an increasingly popular addition to golf holidays around the world, particularly in destinations where warm daytime temperatures make an evening tee time especially appealing. From championship courses in the UAE and Turkey to spectacular floodlit layouts in Vietnam, there are now plenty of opportunities to experience golf after dark.

But what is night golf actually like, and where are the best places to play it? Golfbreaks' David Ford shares his first-hand experience before we explore some of the standout destinations for golf under the lights.

Night golf is exactly what it sounds like: playing golf after sunset on a course illuminated by floodlights.

Unlike glow-in-the-dark golf, where illuminated balls and markers are often used on otherwise dark courses, floodlit night golf allows you to play much as you would during the day. Powerful lighting illuminates the tees, fairways and greens, while the contrast of a golf ball against the night sky makes watching your shots particularly memorable.

It is especially popular in warmer golf destinations, where playing later in the day can mean more comfortable temperatures and gives golfers the freedom to spend their daytime relaxing, sightseeing or enjoying the resort.

I can still remember my first experience of night golf back in September 2018.

I was in the Middle East on business and we had time to squeeze in a round. To my surprise, our tee time was booked for 7pm. After a few days experiencing the heat and humidity, it soon became clear why playing after sunset was such an appealing option.

We arrived at Al Hamra Golf Club as the sun was beginning to set. For the opening holes, we found ourselves in that unusual period between daylight and darkness, before the floodlights gradually took over and the full night golf experience began. It lived up to everything I had imagined.

I've been fortunate enough to play some of the world's best golf courses, but that first round under the lights is one I'll never forget. A course you might recognise during the day can look completely different at night, with the floodlights highlighting every contour and undulation.

There really is no hiding a bad shot when you play night golf. Against the dark sky, everyone gets a great view of where your ball is heading. The upside is that when you hit one perfectly, it looks fantastic.

• Enjoy cooler evening conditions

In warmer destinations such as the UAE, daytime temperatures can make golf challenging during certain times of the year. Playing later in the day gives you the opportunity to enjoy the course in cooler evening conditions.

• Maximise your holiday

A round of golf can take up a large part of the day. With night golf, you can spend the morning sightseeing, relax by the pool or head to the beach before teeing off later in the day. For mixed groups and families, that can make fitting golf into a holiday considerably easier.

• Experience something completely different

Even if you've played hundreds of rounds, golf under floodlights feels different. The atmosphere changes, the course looks different and seeing your ball flight illuminated against the night sky adds another dimension to the game. It's an experience that every golfer should try at least once.

• Turn your round into an evening out

Night golf can also have a more relaxed, social feel. Tee off in the evening, finish under the lights and head straight to the clubhouse for dinner or drinks afterwards. For groups in particular, it's a brilliant addition to a golf holiday.

• Where are the best places to play night golf?

Night golf is available in a growing number of destinations, but the UAE, Turkey and Vietnam are among the standout choices for golfers looking to play after dark.

Night golf in Turkey is centred around Belek, one of Europe's leading golf holiday destinations. Here, golfers can experience two renowned tournament venues after sunset in Carya Golf Club and Montgomerie Maxx Royal.

Combine the golf with Belek's impressive collection of luxury all-inclusive resorts and you have one of the easiest destinations in which to build night golf into a complete golf holiday.

Experience one of Europe's most famous floodlit golf courses Location: Belek, Turkey | Designer: Peter Thomson | Holes: 18 | Floodlit: Yes

Why play here? Carya Golf Club stands out as Europe's first fully floodlit golf course, giving golfers the chance to experience a complete round long after the Turkish sun has gone down.

Inspired by traditional British heathland golf, the course winds through pine and eucalyptus woodland, with rolling terrain, strategic bunkering and distinctive holes creating a memorable test.

Once the floodlights come on, the experience changes completely. The fairways glow against the surrounding forest, contours become even more pronounced.

Why it's great for night golf:

• Fully floodlit 18-hole golf course
• Opportunity to play well into the evening
• Distinctive heathland-inspired design
• Beautiful pine and eucalyptus setting
• Perfect for adding extra golf to a Belek holiday

Who it suits:

• Golfers ticking off bucket list experiences
• Groups looking for something different
• Players wanting a full 18-hole night golf experience
• Golfers staying at Belek's nearby all-inclusive resorts

Night golf highlight: Few golfing experiences compare with standing on the first tee of a fully floodlit championship course knowing you have 18 holes ahead of you beneath the lights.

Championship golf takes on a new character beneath the floodlights Location: Belek, Turkey | Designer: Colin Montgomerie | Night golf: Available

Why play here? Designed by Colin Montgomerie, Montgomerie Maxx Royal combines generous fairways, challenging bunkering and immaculate greens with a beautiful natural setting.

Playing beneath the floodlights adds another dimension to the course and gives golfers staying in Belek the chance to extend their day well into the evening.

Why it's great for night golf:

• Championship-quality golf after dark
• Convenient for golfers staying in Belek
• Cooler evening playing conditions
• Excellent option for groups wanting additional golf
• A distinctive alternative to a traditional daytime tee time

Who it suits:

• Groups on a Belek golf holiday
• Golfers looking for championship night golf
• Players staying at luxury all-inclusive resorts
• Anyone wanting to maximise the number of rounds on their trip

Night golf highlight: Seeing a championship layout transformed beneath the floodlights makes Montgomerie Maxx Royal feel like a completely different course after sunset.

Portugal might be best known for long days of golf in the Algarve sunshine, but there are opportunities to keep playing once the sun goes down too.

For golfers who want to experience night golf without travelling to the Middle East or further afield, the Algarve provides a convenient European alternative.

Extend your day on the fairways with floodlit golf in the Algarve Location: Algarve, Portugal | Night golf course: Academy Course | Holes: 9 | Floodlit: Yes

Why play here? Amendoeira Golf Resort gives you the chance to combine championship golf during the day with a relaxed round under the floodlights in the evening.

The resort's nine-hole Academy Course is floodlit, meaning your golf doesn't necessarily have to end when the Algarve sun goes down.

The real attraction is how easily night golf fits into a stay here. Play the Faldo or O'Connor Jnr. Course during the day, head back to your accommodation to relax, then return to the course for a completely different golfing experience after dark.

Why it's great for night golf:

• Floodlit nine-hole Academy Course
• Two 18-hole championship courses at the resort
• An easy way to fit additional golf into your holiday
• On-site accommodation makes evening golf particularly convenient
• Ideal for a relaxed round after a day on the championship courses

Who it suits:

• Groups wanting to maximise their time on the course
• Golfers looking for something different from a standard Algarve golf break
• Players who want a more relaxed evening round
• Anyone wanting to try night golf closer to home

Night golf highlight: Play one of Amendoeira's championship layouts in the Algarve sunshine before heading back out beneath the floodlights for another nine holes after dark.

Vietnam has rapidly established itself as one of Asia's most exciting golf destinations, combining modern course design with dramatic landscapes and the opportunity to experience several courses beneath the floodlights.

From the surroundings of Hanoi to the mountains near Da Nang, night golf provides yet another reason to consider Vietnam for your next long-haul golf holiday.

Lakeside golf takes on a peaceful new atmosphere after sunset Location: Near Hanoi, Vietnam | Night golf: Available | Setting: Lakeside

Why play here? Located near Vietnam's capital, BRG Kings Island Golf Resort is renowned for its lakeside scenery and beautifully maintained golf courses.

Playing here at night offers a very different experience, with the cooler evening air and peaceful surroundings creating an atmospheric setting for golf after dark.

Why it's great for night golf:

• Cooler evening playing conditions
• Scenic lakeside surroundings
• Convenient addition to a Hanoi golf itinerary
• Opportunity to experience the course from a completely different perspective

Who it suits:

• Golfers visiting Hanoi
• Players looking for scenic night golf
• Groups building a multi-stop Vietnam itinerary
• Golfers wanting to maximise their time on a long-haul trip

Night golf highlight: The combination of floodlights, cooler evening air and the resort's tranquil lakeside setting creates a memorable contrast to daytime golf.

Take on Luke Donald's spectacular mountain course beneath the floodlights Location: Da Nang, Vietnam | Designer: Luke Donald | Night golf: Available | Setting: Mountainous

Why play here? Ba Na Hills Golf Club was the first course designed by former World No. 1 Luke Donald and occupies a spectacular setting in the mountains near Da Nang.

The natural topography creates two distinctive nines and makes Ba Na Hills an impressive course at any time of day. Once the floodlights come on, however, the dramatic landscape takes on a completely different appearance.

Why it's great for night golf:

• Dramatic mountain setting
• Floodlit golf after sunset
• Designed by Luke Donald
• Cooler conditions for evening play
• Easy to incorporate into a Da Nang golf holiday

Who it suits:

• Golfers seeking a bucket list night golf experience
• Groups visiting Da Nang
• Players who enjoy dramatic, modern course design
• Golfers combining multiple courses on a Vietnam tour

Night golf highlight: Watching the floodlights illuminate the natural contours of Ba Na Hills makes an already spectacular course even more dramatic after dark.

Further south, golfers travelling towards Ho Chi Minh City can find additional opportunities to play beneath the lights, making it possible to incorporate night golf into several stops on a wider Vietnam golf tour.

Few destinations are better suited to night golf than the UAE. Floodlit courses allow golfers to make the most of the country's outstanding golf while avoiding the hottest part of the day.

Dubai leads the way with an impressive choice of evening golf. Combine a day beside the pool, on the beach or exploring the city with a round after sunset, and you have a golf holiday that makes full use of every hour.

Experience one of Dubai's most famous golf venues after the sun goes down Location: Dubai, UAE | Night golf: Floodlit golf available | Setting: City golf

Why play here? Emirates Golf Club is one of the most recognisable names in Middle Eastern golf and provides the opportunity to continue playing after dark.

Night golf offers a very different perspective on this famous Dubai venue, with the city's illuminated skyline and the floodlit course creating a memorable backdrop for an evening round.

Why it's great for night golf:

• Play later in the day when temperatures can be more comfortable
• Spectacular surroundings once the floodlights come on
• Easy to combine with a wider Dubai golf itinerary
• Ideal for golfers wanting to maximise their time both on and off the course

Who it suits:

• Groups visiting Dubai
• Golfers looking for an iconic night golf experience
• Players wanting to make the most of their time on holiday
• Anyone looking to combine golf with Dubai's beaches, restaurants and attractions

Night golf highlight: Watching your ball flight beneath the floodlights with Dubai illuminated around you is a completely different way to experience golf in the city.

Combine floodlit golf with one of Dubai's most recognisable waterfront settings Location: Dubai, UAE | Night golf: Floodlit golf available | Setting: Dubai Creek

Why play here? Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club is instantly recognisable thanks to its striking clubhouse and waterfront location. The opportunity to experience golf here after dark makes it an excellent addition to a Dubai itinerary.

With the temperature dropping and the city lighting up around you, evening golf provides a different atmosphere from a traditional daytime round.

Why it's great for night golf:

• Striking setting beside Dubai Creek
• Cooler evening playing conditions
• Convenient option for golfers staying in Dubai
• Easy to combine with sightseeing or pool time during the day

Who it suits:

• Golfers staying centrally in Dubai
• Groups wanting a sociable evening round
• Players looking to fit more into their holiday
• Golfers who enjoy distinctive city golf settings

Night golf highlight: The combination of floodlit golf, water and the Dubai skyline creates a memorable setting once darkness falls.

Insider tip: Dubai Hills Golf Club and Trump International Golf Club also provide amazing experiences of golf beneath the lights, helping make Dubai one of the world's standout destinations for night golf.

If it's your first time playing under the lights, there are a few things worth knowing.

• Book your tee time in advance. Night golf can be popular and availability varies between courses, seasons and days of the week.
• Expect the course to look different. Distances, contours and hazards can feel different under artificial lighting, even when visibility is excellent.
• Watch your ball flight. One of the best parts of night golf is seeing the entire flight of the ball against the dark sky. Unfortunately, your playing partners can see the bad ones just as clearly.
• Check what is floodlit. Some venues illuminate a full 18-hole course, while others offer nine holes or shorter layouts for evening play.
• Build it into your holiday. One of the biggest advantages of night golf is the freedom it gives you during the day. Make the most of it by combining your round with time at the beach, sightseeing, spa treatments or simply relaxing around the pool.

Q. Can you play golf at night? A. Yes. A growing number of golf courses around the world use floodlighting to allow golfers to continue playing after sunset. Depending on the venue, you may be able to play anything from a short par-3 course to a full 18-hole championship layout.

Q. Do you use normal golf balls for night golf? A. On a fully floodlit golf course, you can generally play with the same golf balls and equipment you would use during the day. You don't need glow-in-the-dark golf balls when the course itself is properly illuminated.

Q. Can you play 18 holes of night golf? A. Yes, although it depends on the course. Some venues have all 18 holes floodlit, while others illuminate nine holes or a shorter academy course.

Q. Where can you play night golf? A. Some of the best-known night golf destinations include the UAE, Belek in Turkey and Vietnam. Floodlit golf is also available in a growing number of destinations around the world.

Q. Can you play night golf in Dubai? A. Yes. Dubai is one of the world's leading destinations for night golf, with several clubs offering floodlit golf after sunset. Read our complete guide to night golf in Dubai to find out more.

Q. Can you play night golf in Turkey? A. Yes. Belek is home to two standout night golf experiences at Carya Golf Club and Montgomerie Maxx Royal, making Turkey one of the best destinations in Europe for golf under the lights.

Q. Is night golf suitable for beginners? A. Absolutely. Night golf can be a fun and social way to experience the game, and several destinations offer shorter floodlit courses as well as championship layouts.

If you get the opportunity to play night golf, take it.

Whether you're teeing off on a championship course in Turkey, watching the Dubai skyline light up around you or playing through the mountains of Vietnam after sunset, golf under the lights is an experience that stays with you.

Better still, you don't have to build an entire holiday around it. Add an evening round to your itinerary and you can enjoy everything your destination has to offer during the day before experiencing a completely different side of golf after dark.

Discover our night golf courses and packages and start planning your next golf holiday under the lights.