Can anyone play the Old Course at St Andrews?
It also happens to be a truly public course, owned by the local townspeople through a centuries old Act of Parliament. 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.
How do I book a tee time at St Andrews?
Here’s your complete guide to booking a tee time at the birthplace of golf. Start the process by applying directly to the St. Andrews Links Trust. Contact them by phone (011-44-1334-466718) or e-mail ([email protected]) during a two- to three-week window that begins each year in late August and ends in mid-September.
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 ([email protected]) 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.
Can I book tee times in advance for the Old Course?
Good for each of the courses except the Old, you can set up tee times in advance for your morning round at any course and then have space-available replays in the afternoon. This is especially ideal for those willing to enter the Old Course Lottery during their stay in St. Andrews. You will need a handicap certificate to play the Old Course.
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How early should you get to a golf course?
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 get a guaranteed tee time at St Andrews?
How does it work?You should make your online application to St Andrews Links Trust (SALT) on play.standrews.com. ... You have to be organised and ready to submit your application before early-September in the year prior to when you wish to play; so, for example, by 1st September 2021 for play in May 2022.More items...•
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.
Is St Andrews a difficult golf course?
For men, Carnoustie Championship, Trump International, Kingsbarns, St Andrews Castle and Gleneagles PGA stand out as being the most difficult of the premium courses. Fantastic challenges, all of them! Notice how length doesn't automatically equate with difficulty.
How far in advance should golfers who want to play the Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland contact the club?
48 hoursIt 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.
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 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.
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.
What is the best time of year to play St Andrews?
Spring and autumn are great shoulder seasons to visit St. Andrews, and also very similar to each other here. The best part about visiting in spring is the relatively fewer chances of rainfall as compared to the rest of the year; April is the driest month of the year.
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 St Andrews golf course so special?
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.
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 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.
When does the Standrews lottery end?
Contact them by phone (011-44-1334-466718) or e-mail ([email protected]) 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.
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.
How many days before the old course is open to play?
The Old Course holds a tee-sheet ballot every day the course is open to the public, and golfers (minimum of two) can enter the drawing, which is announced two days prior to play (so Wednesday tee times are announced Monday afternoon).
How much does it cost to play the old golf course?
Depending on the exchange rate, the 2018 green fee to play the Old Course is 180 pounds, which is about $250.
How many golf courses has Tucker played?
To date, his golf travels have taken him to over two dozen countries and nearly 600 golf courses worldwide. While he's played some of the most prestigious courses in the world, Tucker's favorite way to play the game is on a great muni in under three hours.
What is the maximum handicap for Dunhill Links?
Maximum allowed handicaps are 24 for men and 36 for women. The Old Course closes for golf and turns into a public park every Sunday with the exception of days it hosts a tournament like the Dunhill Links or Open Championship.
Where is Kingsbarns Golf Links?
Seven miles east of town, the spectacular and modern Kingsbarns Golf Links is a top-10 course worldwide. There are five other courses in the town operated by the Links Trust besides the Old Course, the best being the New Course and Jubilee Course, both true links playing on the same soil as the Old.
Where is the birthplace of golf?
If you've ever put a tee in the ground, you've no doubt thought about what it would be like to play a round in the birthplace of golf: St. Andrews, Scotland. A common misconception of the famed Old Course at St. Andrews is that it's an exclusive, private club like Augusta National. That couldn't be further from the truth.
Is the Old Course Hotel the official hotel of the Old Course?
While the Old Course Hotel comes into play on the famous Road Hole, it's not the "official" hotel of the Old Course and its access to tee times isn't much better than any other hotel in town. When Herb Kohler bought the hotel, he also bought the Duke's Course about a mile outside of town.
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.
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 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 many hours before the day of play can you play St Andrews?
Almost half of the tee times on the Old Course, St Andrews are allocated in the ballot and anyone can enter 48 hours before the day of play as long as your group is two or more.
When is the cut off date for St Andrews Links?
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.
Cost to play golf at St Andrews, Scotland
The first thing you’ll need to know is how much is it to play golf at St Andrews. The 2019 green fees for the Old Course range between £90 in the low season, and £190 in high season.
Direct Application to the St. Andrews Links Trust
For forward planners. During a short 2 – 3 week window in Autumn, the trust runs a lottery-style allocation of tee times. Later on in January, more advanced booking dates open up when any unassigned or cancelled tee times are resold. This is a good option, particularly for a smaller group, as lottery wins are less likely for large groups.
Golf Package Holiday
For large groups. The only way to truly guarantee a tee time on the Old Course at St Andrews is to book a golf package which includes one. These used to be the sole proviso of the Old Course Experience, sold by the Links Trust, but they have recently distributed times out to a few other providers.
Daily Visitors Ballot
For gamblers in small groups. One of the riskiest options, but a great last ditch effort if you haven’t won your spot back in October. The Daily Visitors Ballots is another lottery system, but ballots open for each day only 48 hours in advance.
Daily Local Ballot
For the charismatic and well-connected. A very similar but less fiercely competitive ballot. We recommend making friends with a local with playing privileges, and have them enter your name and play with you. Alternatively, move to St Andrews and become one!
Single Golfer Walk-up
For the flexible single. As they are not permitted to enter the daily ballot, single golfers check in at the Old Pavilion (often from as early at 5:30am during the summer, so set your alarm!) After this, you’ll be paired with any incomplete groups, so cross your fingers and hope for no-shows. This process can take anything from an hour to a week.
The Unlimited Golf Ticket at St Andrews
For the less fussy. Recently, the Links Trust began selling these ‘unlimited golf’ tickets, good for 3 or 7 days of golf on all courses except the Old. 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.
Can I buy Old Course tee times only?
No, our Old Course tee times are sold within a fully managed luxury golf tour programme which includes accommodation in one of our partner hotels. The minimum stay in St Andrews is four nights.
How far ahead should I book?
You should begin to plan your trip 12-18 months in advance to be sure of getting that Old Course time. We will be able to confirm your exact Old Course time by the end of September the year before you travel. Other courses open their books at different times so we may not be able to confirm ALL tee times at time of booking.
What are the handicap requirements?
Make sure you bring your handicap certificate to the first tee and present it to the Starter. (Generally a GHIN card or similar is what is expected). It's your passport to the oldest course in the world. The maximum handicap is 36 for men and ladies on the Old Course.
When is the Old Course closed?
It’s closed every Sunday (apart from when there are tournaments taking place) and we can’t pre-book on Saturdays. It closes in early May, the middle two weeks in September and during the Dunhill Links Trophy which is alternately last week of September or first week of October.
What information do I need to give you in order to confirm my trip?
We need to know what dates you can travel, the room type you want and the hotel of your choice, the courses you want to play and we’ll give you a quotation based on that information. If it’s acceptable, you email your acceptance and you will receive an email of our Terms & Conditions.
Can you arrange airport transfers?
Yes, just let us have your flight details, and we will organise the transport according to group size and let you know the cost.
How do I book a caddie?
When you book your programme, please let us know how many caddies you want for your golfers, and at which courses and we will make the requests in advance. Caddies are not guaranteed but we have an excellent record of securing them for our golfers.
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.