AYR'S pensioner golfers say they've been left "teed off" by a decision to increase the cost of playing on council-run courses.

Players over the age of 65 previously got a 35 per cent discount from South Ayrshire on the price of a year's green fees.

However as part of a series of council cost cutting measures, the discount on their season ticket has been reduced to just 10 per cent.

It's meant older golfers having to fork out between £80 and £90 extra to play South Ayrshire's eight public courses this year.

One veteran golfer, 77-year-old Ewen Will, says many of his fellow players will struggle to continue playing at the current prices and feels they have been discriminated against.

The Ayr resident added: "The annual fees have also gone up by five per cent which has added to the final cost.

"In real terms we are paying more than 25 per cent extra this year, which is well above the rate of inflation.

"It is also unfair to pensioner golfers as the 35 per cent discount still applies to younger golfers, including under 30s."

Ewen says the new charge to pensioner golfers for a five day season ticket – allowing them to play Monday to Friday – has shot up to £396 from around £310.

He added: "We all got an email from the council to say that the fees were going up, but no explanation or apology

"It's a big increase given that most pensioners' earnings will still be the same.

"It's also annoying that the council have claimed that the green fees only went up by five per cent, when in fact it was a 25 percent rise for the over 65's.

"There is quite a few older golfers affected and I don't think the council realise the full impact of this increase on us."

A season ticket allows golfers to play unlimited games of golf, for five or seven days a week, at Belleisle Park, Seafield and Dalmilling in Ayr, the Darley, Fullarton and Lochgreen courses in Troon, and in Girvan and Maybole.

A South Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “As part of the council budget setting process, the present 'Access to Leisure' discount scheme was to be reviewed and we therefore developed a new golf concession scheme.

"We have a number of membership categories available for season 2023/24, which have reduced costs compared to full membership.

"These include a senior, five day and Pay and Play flexi membership."