tee times on st andrews old course how far in advance?

How do I book a tee time at St Andrews Old Course?

Securing a St Andrews Old Course tee time can be a complicated and confusing process. It requires more than a call to the reservations department, a click of a mouse or a tap on a tablet to book your tee time.

How far in advance are tee times given on the Old Course?

Roughly half the Old Course tee times allotted are via the Daily Ballot, a lottery system that’s drawn 48 hours in advance, for play two days hence. Until 2015, the ballot provided only 24 hours advance notice.

How do I get a St Andrews golf membership?

Start the process by applying directly to the St. Andrews Links Trust. Contact them by phone (011-44-1334-466718) or e-mail (reservations@standrews.com) during a two- to three-week window that begins each year in late August and ends in mid-September. The tee times are allocated lottery-style, and winners are notified in early to mid-October.

Do I need to book in advance for St Andrews Links?

Pick the St Andrews Links course you wish to play to find out more. Ordinarily, the nine-hole Balgove Course doesn't require an advance booking however the turn up and play policy has temporarily been suspended. Booking info: 2021 Guidelines

How far in advance can you book tee times on golf now?

The majority of golf courses make their tee times available between five (5) and fourteen (14) days in advance. However, some golf courses may choose to make their tee times available 30 to 90 days in advance or further depending on their business practices. Did I get the tee time?

How long before a tee time should you arrive?

Give yourself plenty of time to get ready for your round. It's best to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled tee time. When you get there, check in with the starter -- either in the golf shop or near the first tee -- to let him or her know you're there.

How do I guarantee a tee time at St Andrews?

To catch the sweet spot of a guaranteed tee time at close to the regular green fee rate, you can make a direct application for a Private Advance Tee Time (PATT) to the Reservations Team at St Andrews Links Trust (SALT).

Can you walk the Old Course at St Andrews on a Sunday?

The centuries-old edict to refrain from golf on Sundays is a sacred part of the Old Course's traditions. Historians trace the Old Course's Sunday closure to religious laws dating at least to the 16th century, when some residents of St. Andrews were cited in town criminal logs for playing on the Sabbath.

Should I go to the driving range before playing golf?

A pre-round range session is just a way to warm up the engine, that's all. So many players judge how they are going to play by how they hit it on the range in warm up. I have seen Tour players flush every shot on the range and skank it on the course and vice versa, so the same applies to the club golfer.

How early is a player allowed to show up to the golf course to begin warming up?

WARMING UP PRIOR TO ROUND Players shall make every reasonable effort to arrive no more than 1 hour before their scheduled tee time. Players are allowed on the driving range from 1 hour to 20 minutes before their scheduled tee time.

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.

Can anyone play the Old Course at St Andrews?

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.

When should I play St Andrews?

Remember, remember the month of September! If you know that you want to play the Old Course next year, mid-September is the cut-off date to apply for advanced reservations through the St Andrews Links Trust.

Can you visit St Andrews golf course without playing?

The only day that the public are free to walk the course is a Sunday, provided there is no golf taking place. The course is closed to normal play on a Sunday but sometimes there may be a competition or event.

Can you play St Andrews the day after the Open?

Yes you can. However, please be aware of the uneven terrain. Yes, re-admission will be permitted.

Is St Andrews walkable?

Yes, you can explore everywhere in St Andrews on foot so skip on the car and invest in some walking shoes. The further parts of the town are, at most, a 30-minute walk and that's for slow walkers like myself.

When do links tee times become available?

These tee times typically become available in April the year prior to play and are usually completely sold within a matter of days. Translation: Plan early. Direct Application – The Links Trust accepts applications for tee times in the September prior to the next year’s season.

How many players are needed to play St Andrews?

Entries can be made via the St. Andrews app or by phone and require a minimum of two players. Singles Queue – Each day, The Old Course fills a number of open slots via the Singles Queue. These spots are filled by the Starter when The Old Pavilion opens at 6am, and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

How early can you enter the old course ballot?

Ballot – Nearly half of all Old Course tee times are awarded by lottery, known officially as the Old Course Ballot. The ballot is drawn 48 hours prior to the date of play, and must be entered by 2pm each day. So, for example, a group hoping to play on Wednesday would need to enter the ballot by 2pm on the Monday before.

Will the 150th Open be played in 2022?

In addition, the postponement of the 150th Open Championship means there will also be fewer tee times available for The Old Course in 2022. At risk of sounding like a broken record, any golfer hoping to play The Old Course over the next two years needs to plan early.

Can you play the old course at St Andrews?

While this means that anyone can play The Old Course at St. Andrews, securing a tee time at The Home of Golf is not as simple as phoning the pro shop. Here’s what every golfer needs to know when planning a golf trip to St. Andrews. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

Will there be fewer tee times at St Andrews in 2021?

The full effect on guaranteed tee times is still being measured, but thanks to thousands of postponed St. Andrews golf trips, there’s certain to be fewer times to go around in 2021 and 2022. In addition, the postponement of the 150th Open Championship means there will also be fewer tee times available for The Old Course in 2022. At risk of sounding like a broken record, any golfer hoping to play The Old Course over the next two years needs to plan early.

How far in advance can you book a tee time on a golf course?

They are, however, allowing single golfers to book a tee time on any course 24 hours in advance by calling the Links Clubhouse +44 (0)1334 466666 the day ahead. For the Old Course this will only be possible if there’s been a cancellation after the ballot has been drawn.

Where to apply for a private advance tee time?

To catch the sweet spot of a guaranteed tee time at close to the regular green fee rate, you can make a direct application for a Private Advance Tee Time (PATT) to the Reservations Team at St Andrews Links Trust.

When will tee time be allocated?

Authorised Providers will know their actual tee time allocation in July 2020, but you may be able to secure a package by going on a priority wait list beforehand. So the earlier you get in touch to discuss your requirements with me the better chance of being offered an Old Course time that suits.

Can I visit St Andrews without a guarantee?

Many golfers choose to visit St Andrews anyway, without an Old Course guarantee. If you are keen to visit the home of golf but do not have a guaranteed time then I can: Help you with you a ballot-friendly strategy. Organise an appropriate itinerary which allows you multiple attempts at the Old Course ballot.

Can you get a guaranteed tee time in a lottery?

Many tour operators, travel agents and intermediaries may claim to have access to a guaranteed Old Course tee time. In reality they may deliver no more than assistance to give you the chance of a guaranteed tee time in a lottery, without the certainty that you require to plan your itinerary.

Is St Andrews Links closed?

However, with all courses closed in 2020 for several months and travel restrictions and quarantine measures in place, St Andrews Links Trust (SALT) made the decision to offer reservations on any course the opportunity to reschedule to 2021 or 2022.

Is the R&A tournament rescheduled for 2021?

The decision of the R&A to postpone the Open Championship for a year means the tournament originally scheduled for July 2021 has now been rescheduled to July 2022.

The Four Ways of Securing a Tee Time

1. “Advance Reservations” (other names: Private or Direct Application Process, Advanced Application)

So now that you know the four ways of getting on the Old Course, the following explains the two strategies you can select from when booking your trip

Essentially, there are two paths for securing a tee time at The Old Course. The end result of “The Guaranteed Route” is that you will end up with a tee time that is absolutely guaranteed. If booking before September 7 of the year prior to play, the graphic below illustrates that a guaranteed time at the hefty premium is reserved for you.

When is the best time to go?

There are several factors involved that impact the odds of getting a tee time through the Advanced Application, Daily Ballot or Standby Line. The odds depend heavily on things such as the group size, the month of travel and the number of days a group spends in St. Andrews.

How many foursomes can you play at St Andrews?

You can book up to two foursomes, or as few as two players. There are limited advanced times for single players as well. Prepare to give the Links Trust the other names in your group, their handicaps and home clubs as well as a second course to play at St. Andrews.

How early can you play golf in summer?

Arrive as early as 5:30 a.m. in summer’s high season, provide proof that you’re a max handicap of 24 for men and 36 for women, then wait your turn to be paired with a two-ball or three-ball game. Some days you’ll be paired within an hour. You might also check in all day, all week, and never tee it up.

How many nights does the OCE package include?

But if you can handle the tariffs, this route could be for you. The OCE features three-, four- and five-night packages that include luxury lodging (Old Course Hotel, Fairmont St. Andrews, Macdonald Rusacks), clubhouse lunches, course transfers and guaranteed Old Course access for one round.

When does the Standrews lottery end?

Contact them by phone (011-44-1334-466718) or e-mail (reservations@standrews.com) during a two- to three-week window that begins each year in late August and ends in mid-September. The tee times are allocated lottery-style, and winners are notified in early to mid-October.

Does Links Trust have old course tee times?

The Links Trust also allocates a limited number of Old Course tee times to local hotels and guest houses in St. Andrews (stayinstandrews.com). Occasionally, these properties will farm out their tee times to tour operators that bring them business, but most of the time this is a perfectly legitimate option for folks seeking an Old Course time.

1 Advance Reservations

You may apply for an advanced reservation on St Andrews Old Course by completing the application form, which you then email to reservations@standrews.org.uk for play the following year.

2 Old Course Ballot

After the Advanced Reservations have been allocated, almost 50% of the remaining Tee Times are allocated to the Daily Ballot.

Criteria for entering Old Course Ballot

Golfers who are successful must present a current official handicap card, record or certificate to the starter prior to play.

3 Single Golfer

If applying as a single golfer, please note that limited St Andrews Old Course Tee Times are only available between April and July.

Old Course Tee Times

Our Old Course tee times are available as part of a package. Please check our availability below.

Old Course Tee Time Availability for 2022 & 2023

Our St Andrews Old Course tee times are available to visiting golfers as part of a customised golf package which include accommodation, transport and golf (minimum 5 night stay). We offer a selection of three, four and five star accommodation options along with additional golf throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK and Ireland.

What is the handicap limit for 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.

Can you play the old course at St Andrews?

Yes, all Old Course tee times that are booked in advance are sold as part of a two course package. Along with the tee time on the Old Course, golfers also have to take up the option to play another of the St Andrews Links Courses. This option will be the New Course, the Jubilee Course, the Eden Course or the Castle Course.

When is the best time to visit St Andrews?

When is the best time to travel to St Andrews? Weather-wise between May and Sept, but take account of times throughout the golfing season (mid-April to mid-October) when the course is particularly busy, impacting on and your chances of getting a tee time. Check busy dates on St Andrews Links Trust website.

Can you stay and play on an old golf course?

No. Commercial Old Course tee times are only available in ‘Stay and Play’ packages where golf tee times are sold in conjunction with a stay in local hotel and guest house accommodation.