Playing a round in the dark

Players use luminous golf balls at night

Aberdonians are using technology developed for the oil industry to help them play a round in the dark.

They are getting into the swing of a new sport - night time golf.

Insch Golf Club, north of Aberdeen, is in the driving seat when it comes to this unusual nocturnal pursuit.

Players use special illuminated markers developed from oil industry technology to find their way around the course.

Who on earth in their right mind would play golf at night?

Bob Philips, Insch Golf Club

They also use a luminous golf ball when they take to the fairways after dark.

The sport is relatively new to Scotland, but is already being played in almost 50 countries worldwide.

Bob Philips of Insch Golf Club admitted that the idea of night golf was "absolutely mad".

He said: "Who on earth in their right mind would play golf at night?

"It really is an idea to generate income over the winter months, when the clubhouse is closed and we don't have anything coming in, but we still have wages to pay.

Good fun

"It is an ideal way to generate a bit of income and keep the members happy."

However, the idea has already proven a hit with some members at the Aberdeenshire course.

One told BBC Scotland: "It is good fun. It is a new experience, something I have never tried before."

And another said: "It is a good thing for the winter nights."