what time should i arrive to play the old course st andrews as a walk on

by Dr. Nathanial Crona MD 7 min read

Full Answer

How much is it to play St Andrews Old Course?

From £145. Including one guaranteed tee time on the world-famous Old Course, the package also offers a round of golf on two other St Andrews Links courses. If you stay locally, each golfer is also eligible for a £25 food and drink voucher to spend in one of our clubhouses. Winter Package 2021/22.

How to play the Old Course at St. Andrews?

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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.

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.

Can you walk on St Andrews Old Course?

If you are visiting Edinburgh a real recommend as a day trip plus the town of St. Andrews with its historical castle and cathedral etc., an added bonus. Great review! You're right, the Old Course is a public course, open to all and there are public footpaths that run alongside the course.

How long is the wait to play St Andrews?

It is drawn 48 hours in advance of play and golfers should provide their names, home club and handicaps either online, by phone or at one of the clubhouses before 2pm, two days before the day they wish to play. To enter there must be a minimum of two and a maximum of four players.

Can you walk the course at St Andrews?

Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 20 min to complete. This trail is great for trail running and walking. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Old Course at St Andrews is the ruling house of golf worldwide.

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.

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 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 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.

Can you play St Andrews Old Course 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.

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.

Do I need a handicap to play St Andrews?

You will need a handicap certificate to play the Old Course. So be sure to register for one with the USGA or your local club in advance of your trip. Maximum allowed handicaps are 24 for men and 36 for women.

Which is the best course to play at St Andrews?

After initially getting your bearings, play the St Andrews New or Jubilee courses. Both of these links courses are underrated and don't get the credit they deserve because they live under the shadow of the Old Course. The greens on the New and Jubilee are typically faster than the Old Course.

Can you play a round of golf 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.

What is the best course to play at St Andrews?

Best golf courses in and around St AndrewsChampionship Course, Carnoustie Golf Links. ... The King's Course, The Gleneagles Resort. ... Kingsbarns Golf Links. ... New Course, St Andrews Links. ... Panmure Golf Course. ... Balcomie Links, Crail Golfing Society. ... The Duke's Course, Old Course Hotel, St Andrews. ... Medal Course, Monifieth Golf Links.More items...•

How do you play single at St Andrews?

If you are a single golfer, you cannot make a tee time reservation for any of St Andrews' courses, so you need to show up on the day you want to play and see the starter. If you are in a group, book in advance or call and get in their tee time lottery. The rest of this is for players looking to walk on as a single.

Can you play the Old Course without a handicap?

ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS REGARDING PLAY ON THE OLD COURSE? There 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.

How to Play the St Andrews Old Course in 2022

This brief outline will help explain all the different methods that can be used to obtain a tee time on the Old Course at St Andrews.

Advanced Application Process

Each year, St Andrews Links has an allocation of tee-times that are sold directly to clients. Applications are accepted for these tee-times during a two-week period in August and these are drawn randomly by a computer. We can assist you in the application process but you must submit the forms directly.

The "Ballot" (Lottery)

Nearly half of Old Course tee times each year are allocated to the Ballot to give people who have been unable to book a chance of playing. It is drawn 48 hours in advance of play and golfers should provide their names, home club and handicaps two days before the day they wish to play.

The Lineup (Standing-By)

There are normally between 10 and 20 spaces on the Old Course each day that the starter will fill in with golfers that are registered on the stand-by list. Any golfer wanting to walk on will need to report to the Old Course Pavillion on the day they wish to play.

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.

Why is April a good month to visit?

Indeed, just as with your chances of scoring an open ballot time, April is a great month to visit because there tend to be fewer golfers in town than in later months. Especially the second half of April when days are getting longer and more tee times are available in the day.

How many walk up slots are there in 2019?

Of which around 25 single slots per day were left open for walk-ups. The greater number of single slots in 2019 than 2018 (4,809 v 3,677) is due in part to the greater number of days when ballot times were available (154 v 145).

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.

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.

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St Andrews at Christmas is truly magical...yes we may be slightly biased, but we're certain that visitors and locals will agree! Find out what you can get up to in St Andrews at Christmas time in our latest blog piece.

What is the Old Course at St Andrews?

How to Get to Play The Old Course at St. Andrews. The Old Course at St. Andrews is arguably the most popular bucket-list course on any golfer’s list of must-play links. This is not only because of its famed difficulty, or the long list of incredible players and stars who have crossed the Swilcan Bridge, or the list of important tournaments ...

Can you play the old course in Scotland?

Getting to play The Old Course is a special treat, especially for anyone making a point of traveling to Scotland to play. But booking a round isn’t as straightforward as it is at many clubs throughout the world. There are several ways to get to play the Old Course, although few are guaranteed.

Can you walk on the old course?

Walking On to The Old Course. As a final way to get on to the Old Course, it’s possible to walk on the day of golf as a single golfer. To do so, check in at the Old Pavilion the day you wish to play, and the staff may be able to add you onto a threesome or twosome.

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.

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.

RECENT POSTS

St Andrews at Christmas is truly magical...yes we may be slightly biased, but we're certain that visitors and locals will agree! Find out what you can get up to in St Andrews at Christmas time in our latest blog piece.

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.

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