how to play st. andrews old course

by Miss Fannie Fadel Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago 5 min read

How to Play The Old Course at St Andrews

The Ballot. Famously, nearly half of tee times each year are drawn from a daily ballot in the most democratic of fashions.
Advanced Reservations. Due to the 150th Open, this option isn't available for 2022, but in normal years, golfers can apply in the autumn to play the next summer.
Singles List. ...
Winter Packages. ...
Authorised Provider Times. ...

Full Answer

How to book a round at St. Andrews Old Course?

Offers & Packages

Unlimited Golf. The 3 Day and 7 Day tickets offer fantastic value with unlimited golf per day on all six St Andrews Links courses excluding the Old Course.
Group Package: The Castle Course. ...
Group Package: Jubilee Course. ...
The Castle Course: Second Round Rate. ...
Scottish Golf Rate: The Castle Course. ...
Winter Package. ...

What is the Old Course at St Andrews?

I took a few photos around the 3 most popular tourist spots, St Andrews Old Course, St Andrews Castle and also St Andrews Cathedral. I hope you like my offerings and if you have visited St Andrews i hope these images stir your memories of that visit.

Can I play golf at St Andrews?

Likewise, people ask,Can I play golf at St Andrews? Although it may sound sacrilegious, it is still possible to play golf in St Andrews without a round at the Old Course and still enjoy one of the best golf trips in Scotland. The town is filled with excellent courses and the Old Course is just one of them.

How much to play St Andrews?

Travel to and from St Andrews is permitted from across the UK. Groups can consist of up to 4 golfers with no restrictions on number of households. How much does it cost to golf at a golf course? According to a Golf Channel survey, the median cost for an 18-hole round at a public golf course is $36 including cart.

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How much does it cost to play St Andrews Old Course?

about $250For a round, it costs about the same as your normal PGA Tour venue open to the public. Depending on the exchange rate, the 2018 green fee to play the Old Course is 180 pounds, which is about $250.

Can anyone play at St Andrews golf course?

Anyone can play golf in St Andrews. Of the town's 10 golf courses only the Old Course requires a handicap and there are plenty of options depending on your budget.

How hard is the Old Course at St Andrews?

The 17th on the Old Course is considered to be one of the most difficult holes in all of golf. On a course labelled the “Home of Golf” there are always going to be tests that push your golfing ability to the limit. The Road Hole is for sure the toughest test.

What handicap do you need to play the Old Course at St Andrews?

36 forThere are strict handicap restrictions for golfers wishing to play the Old Course. The handicap limit is 36 for both men and ladies. All golfers must provide a current handicap card or certificate at the time of play. Also, there are no pre-bookable tee times for Saturdays and the Old Course is closed on Sundays.

How much do you tip a Caddie at St Andrews?

Andrews. Caddies there – as they are at most courses – are independent contractors, earning their standard fee of 55 pounds ($69) plus gratuity, usually another 20 to 25 pounds ($25-$30). That's roughly $100 for a four-hour round, or $25 an hour.

Can residents of St Andrews play the Old Course?

Here is the good news! Residents in St Andrews can apply for a Links Ticket which provides access to the seven St Andrews courses for a yearly fee of only £240.

Which is the hardest course at St Andrews?

The Jubilee CourseThe Jubilee Course is considered by most locals to be the most difficult course at St Andrews. It is the closest course to West Sands Beach and is therefore the most exposed to the elements. The course has gorse lined, narrow, fairways and tough sloping greens.

Is St Andrews easy?

It will amaze many, but with a bit of planning and a bit of luck playing St Andrews is actually very easy. You just need to be organised. Have a good a look at the website as pretty much all the information is well laid out there. The easiest way to book is by application.

Why is the Old Course so good?

Strategic options are endless on the Old. The fairways are hundreds of yards wide in places and many of the double greens are over 25,000 square feet. That combination leads to a huge variety of angles and pin placements that, in combination with the wind, mean no two rounds are ever alike.

Is St Andrews a difficult golf course?

The course isn't the most technically challenging, but teeing off in front of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club is as nerve-racking as it gets.

Can you wear shorts on the Old Course?

Women shall wear attire consistent with that acceptable on the golf course, except that no shorts are permitted.

Can I use a trolley on the Old Course?

There are currently no restrictions on the use of trolleys for the Old Course.

The Ballot

Famously, nearly half of tee times each year are drawn from a daily ballot in the most democratic of fashions. Golfers have to enter as a two, three or four ball, 48 hours before they wish to play, with that random draw being made two days ahead of the round.

Advanced Reservations

Due to the 150th Open, this option isn't available for 2022, but in normal years, golfers can apply in the autumn to play the next summer. Applicants will choose dates to play and will be drawn from the pack to best fit that requirement to ensure their tee time months in advance. Certainly the best option for those coming from overseas.

Singles List

The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated this process, but it's hoped that the singles list will return in the future. Golfers who have been unsuccessful in the ballot can literally queue - often overnight - and be paired up with any group that has a free spot during the day.

Winter Packages

Each winter, the St Andrews Links Trust offers packages to golfers that include a guaranteed time on the Old Course. Golfers will also have the chance to play two additional rounds on a choice of the other layouts on the peninsula. Fairway mats will be in operation, but the package offers excellent value for money on those crisp winter days.

Authorised Provider Times

For those who want to have their tee time secured well in advance, there are several Golf Tour Operators and Local Accommodation Providers, such as Golfbreaks, offering packages that feature guaranteed Old Course rounds. These are limited and usually come at a premium cost - but it's a way to ensure your date with destiny.

What is the least expensive way to play?

Daily Ballot. ‘The Ballot’ is the least expensive way of playing and unlike the other methods, doesn’t come with any strings at all. It’s a straight-up standard green fee only. You can enter by phone or on-line, or simply ask Faraway Fairways to do it on your behalf.

Is St Andrews Old Course guaranteed times?

There are numerous different ways in which you might secure a round on the St Andrews Old Course. As a general rule though it comes down to cost versus certainty. ‘Guaranteed times’ are never sold in isolation. They will always come with ‘strings attached’.

Is St Andrews a small town?

The Old Course Itself. St Andrews is a small town, but a combination of golfers and a thirsty student population means it punches well above its weight! discover.

What is the old course in St Andrews?

The Old Course is one of seven public courses in St Andrews which is managed by the charitable St Andrews Links Trust, one of the largest employers in St Andrews. The Trust do a superb job in promoting the game of golf and have over the last 20 years greatly modernised and improved the towns golf facilities. To many The Old is simply the most ...

When did Bobby Jones return to St Andrews?

However, he returned to St Andrews in 1926 for the Open Championship and won and over time grew to love the subtleties of The Old course.

Can you play medals on the old course?

Becoming a member of The Royal & Ancient Golf Club, The New Golf Club, The St Andrews Golf Club, St Andrews Thistle Golf Club or The St Rule Club will allow you as a member to play your medals on The Old Course. Members of these clubs usually need to be Proposed, Seconded and go through an application and interview process.

Can single golfers book a tee time at the Old Course?

There is no advanced option for single golfers to book a tee time on The Old Course. Be prepared for an early wake alarm call and turn up at The Old Course pavilion on the day of play. In the past we’ve had groups of 4 who have been lucky and secured late afternoon tee times. Golfers will be tired after all the hanging around but the adrenaline rush of securing your place will more than compensate and adds to this unique experience.

Tips and tricks on how to play the Old Course at St Andrews

The Old Course at St Andrews is one of the most iconic in all of golf, earning it the nickname “The Home of Golf” and for good reason too! St Andrews last held The Open in 2015. These tips and tricks can help get you through in one piece or at least without losing an entire bag full of balls.

How long do you have to head up to play the old course?

You will have 48 hours ‘heads-up’ to make alternative arrangements if you are unlucky. Your last chance saloon is to take the ‘walk-up’ option. The ‘walk-up’ option offers the realistic opportunity of getting to play the Old Course since….

When is the first tee time in April?

First tee time in April is around 07:00hrs during the first half of the month, then 06:40 in the second half. It’s then 06:30 May through the latter part of August, then 07:00 in September and 08:00 in October. Make sure to check the daily ballot draw sheet for the first tee time on the actual date you wish to play.

What is the best day of the week for single slots?

In both years, Saturday and Thursday stand out as the best days of the week for single slots. They are the days with on average the fewest actual player slots allocated (within advance, reserved and ballot tee times), thus offering the most single golfer slots unallocated and available. In 2019, that’s an average 24.3 single slots (ex Dark time slots) each Saturday , and 21.8 on Thursday. In 2018, it’s an average 20.0 each Saturday , and 19.0 on Thursday.

How many tee times are there in September 2019?

Furthermore, on those 7 ballot-available days in September 2019, there were on average around 28 tee times each day which were Reserved or Advance times yielding almost no singles slots. Likewise for the 13 days in September 2018, there were around 25 tee times each day which yielded almost no single slots.

When does the Old Pavilion open?

The Old Pavilion staff arrive to open up at 06:00hrs in the Summer months (May through August) when you can get access to some hot drinks, toilets, wi-fi etc. In other months, staff will arrive around 30 minutes prior to the first tee time.

Can you walk up on a golf course?

The ‘walk-up’ option is NOT restricted to single golfers. Groups of 2 or more golfers may also queue up to get on, although they may well be split up to fill the available slots. All potential players must join the queue. You cannot nominate just one golfer to queue on behalf of your whole group.