Ava Romero
St Andrews is considered the birthplace and ''Home of Golf'. Playing a round at the famous Old Course at St Andrews is on the bucket list of many golfers. While green fees at St Andrews have increased in recent years, the Old Course remains open to the public on most days. There are several ways to play the Old Course, which vary in convenience and price. The easiest option is to book a golf package that includes a guaranteed tee time, but this is also the most expensive option. Alternatively, golfers can enter a ballot or queue up very early in the morning to fill open slots on a first-come-first-served basis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | St Andrews, Scotland |
| Course | Old Course |
| Course Management | St Andrews Links Trust |
| Course Status | Open to the public on most days |
| Course Fee | £320 ($408) in high season, £150 in winter |
| Course Fee for Students | £240 ($292) |
| Course Fee for Juniors | £40 |
| Tee Time Ballot | Available daily, closes at 2 pm, results at 4:30 pm |
| Tee Time Reservation | Available through authorised providers, St Andrews Links Trust, or tour operators |
| Tee Time Group Size | 2-4 golfers, smaller groups preferred |
| Tee Time Package | Includes rounds on other Links Trust courses |
| Handicap Restriction | 36 for men and ladies, handicap card required |
| Dress Code | Appropriate golf attire |
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What You'll Learn
Booking a golf package
Golfbreaks, for example, offers a 7-night tour that includes playing all five world-class courses that feature on The Open Championship rotation in Scotland, including St Andrews and Carnoustie. The package includes the Old Course, Castle Course, and New Course, all located in St Andrews, with Carnoustie and Kingsbarns in the surrounding area.
Golfbreaks also offers a range of accommodation options, including the Ardgowan Hotel, a family-run venue with a central location, the Hotel du vin St Andrews, which combines traditional Scottish charm with modern comforts, and the Albany Hotel, a series of converted Georgian townhouses offering a cozy, intimate stay.
Fairmont St Andrews is another option, with its dedicated golf team helping to organise tailored golf packages. The resort boasts two world-class courses, The Torrance and The Kittocks, covering 520 acres of stunning scenery, overlooking the historic Home of Golf and St Andrews Bay. Fairmont also offers golf memberships that provide freedom and flexibility in terms of frequency of play, timing, and pricing.
With its sweeping sea views, Fairmont St Andrews stands as a luxurious golf destination, offering a limited-time package that includes access to its award-winning spa and family activities, such as The Smurfs Resort Trail and footgolf.
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Entering the daily ballot
The Old Course at St. Andrews is open to the public on most days. One of the most popular and effective ways to get a tee time is by entering the daily ballot, also known as the "Old Course Lottery". The ballot is drawn two days prior to the intended play date, except on Fridays, as the course is closed on Sundays. For example, if you wish to enter the ballot for a tee time on Wednesday, you would apply on the Monday.
To enter the ballot, golfers' names, home golf clubs, and handicaps are required. The handicap limit is 36 for both men and ladies. One person can enter the ballot on behalf of their group, with a maximum of four players. The ballot always closes at 2 pm, and results are typically published around 4:30 pm the same day. Entries can be made in person by visiting the Old Pavilion (Starters Hut next to the 1st tee of the Old Course) or the St Andrews Links Clubhouse. Results can be obtained either online or by calling the Links Trust.
There are a few things to keep in mind when entering the ballot. Firstly, Thursdays and Saturdays have the most ballot tee times available, so consider keeping these days free if possible. Secondly, if you are flexible with your preferred time to play (morning or afternoon), this will increase your chances of getting a tee time. Finally, entering multiple ballot entries for the same day will result in disqualification, but golfers can apply for ballot tee times on multiple different days during their trip.
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Playing as a student
If you're a student at the University of St Andrews, you're in luck! You can join the Golf Club and access year-round golf at student rates.
All matriculated students at the University can join the Golf Club. The club runs a successful lessons programme in partnership with Saints Sport and the St Andrews Links Academy. The programme supports club members who want to improve their game and learn new skills. Lessons are led by PGA Qualified St Andrews Links Golf Academy professionals and take place during term time, with most sessions at the driving range and some on the course. Team training happens every Wednesday from 2-4 pm at the driving range, with different lesson content each week.
Full-time students can purchase a Links Ticket, giving them year-round access to all seven St Andrews Links courses for just £240 per year. This includes the Old Course, one of the most important courses in golf history.
As a student golfer, you can access both individual stroke play events and team match play leagues throughout the season in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) championships. The University currently supports four competitive BUCS teams who compete in weekly matches and knockout competitions. The mixed 1st Team are the two-time BUCS National Match Play Team Golf Champions, and the 1st Team squad is formed from Saints Golf Scholars as part of the University's performance sport programme.
So, if you're a student at St Andrews, take advantage of the opportunity to golf at one of the world's most famous courses!
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Playing as a local resident
St Andrews is considered the "home of golf", and its Old Course is the most famous golf course in the world. It has been played on for at least 500 years, and was formally granted to the residents of St Andrews in 1552.
As a local resident, you have priority access to the Old Course. If you're playing by yourself, you can check in at the Old Pavilion on the day and staff will try to match you with a two or three-ball group. If you're playing in a group of two or more, you can enter the Old Course ballot (lottery). This is drawn 48 hours in advance of play (the course is closed on Sundays and before tournament days).
If you're a student at the University of St Andrews, you're considered a local resident. Student rates allow you to play any of the seven courses all year for just £240, or $292.
If you're a member of a local golf club, you also have priority on the ballot and reservation system.
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Booking with a tour operator
There are several tour operators offering golf packages to St Andrews, including Links Golf St Andrews, Cloud 9 Golf & Travel, and St Andrews Golf Travel. Links Golf St Andrews was the first St Andrews-based company to offer comprehensive golf tours, and they have a reputation for creating memorable trips. Cloud 9 Golf & Travel offers a range of itineraries that combine classic links layouts with modern course designs, ensuring a great variety of golfing experiences. St Andrews Golf Travel is a premier travel company specializing in bespoke golfing trips, with owners who have strong relationships with top golf courses, enabling priority access to hard-to-book tee times.
When booking with a tour operator, you can expect a seamless planning experience, with packages that include golf, dining, sightseeing, and other activities. These packages often include luxury accommodations, private transport, exclusive dining experiences, and cultural excursions for a well-rounded trip. Some companies, like St Andrews Golf Travel, offer custom packages that can be combined with activities like whisky tastings and castle tours.
It is recommended to do your research and compare multiple tour operators to find the one that best suits your needs and preferences. Consider factors such as the quality of the courses, the style of the itinerary, and the additional activities offered.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to secure a tee time at St Andrews. The easiest option is to book a golf package that includes a guaranteed tee time, although this is also the most expensive option. You can also enter a daily ballot, either as a single golfer or as part of a group of up to four players. If you are a student at the University of St Andrews, you can play any of the courses, including the Old Course, for a discounted rate of £240 per year.
The cost of playing at St Andrews depends on the time of year. During the peak season from mid-April to mid-October, green fees can be as high as £320. In the winter season, from November 1 to March 31, fees drop to £150.
Yes, there are strict handicap restrictions for golfers wishing to play at St Andrews. The handicap limit is 36 for both men and women, and all golfers must provide a current handicap card or certificate at the time of play.
St Andrews is known as the Home of Golf and is one of the most famous golf courses in the world. Playing at St Andrews offers the opportunity to tee it up on the iconic, 129-yard-wide 1st fairway. It is also a great value compared to other prestigious golf courses.
