PENSIONER members of council-run golf courses have been slapped with a 45 per cent price hike in fees.

A range of prices have increased, with the 18-hole courses going from £134-a-year to £195.

Glasgow Life defended the move saying it was “unsustainable” amid budgetary pressures.

It follows the controversial scrapping of free swimming for over 60s by Glasgow Life.

Retired senior janitor Robert Louden, 68, plays at Linn Park Golf Course.

The grandad said: “It’s easy for them to sit behind a desk and say ‘we’ll just put it on those pensioners’, but it’s not right.

“I think they target pensioners because they think ‘what are they going to do? Moan?’.

“I can see a 10 per cent rise, but 45 per cent? That will stop people playing.

“Don’t get me wrong, I just want justification for it, that’s all.

“Can someone can give me a good reason?”

Glasgow Life said it was costing £41.12 on average per round of golf at current prices.

It praised its new prices as being lower than most other council-owned golf courses.

Customers can pay £8 to £12 for an individual round.

Mr Louden argues regular players are being penalised “for keeping fit”.

He added: “This is how many of us stay out of doctor’s surgeries and hospitals.

“I’m trying to keep myself fit and I’m effectively being penalised for it.”

Conservatives councillor Thomas Kerr attacked the SNP-run council, saying: “We’ve already seen with the increase in swimming charges that this administration is not interested in standing up for Glasgow’s pensioners and now this, which has gone relatively unnoticed.”

The SNP deputy leader David McDonald said: “They [The Conservatives] have no vision for sport in the city and they don’t explain how they would pay for free golf.

“What local service or sports centres would they close?

“If they want to be taken seriously they should put forward costed suggestions not just cheap political attacks.”

Labour’s leader Councillor Frank McAveety, a former council leader, condemned constant cuts to council budgets by UK and Scottish governments.