Why St Andrews Is the Perfect Golf Weekend Destination
Everything is close. The Old, New and Jubilee sit beside West Sands with the Links Clubhouse in the middle for lockers, showers and the Tom Morris Bar & Grill upstairs for breakfast, lunch or a late plate. You finish, walk upstairs, and keep the day moving.
Access is clear. Book the New, Jubilee, Eden, Strathtyrum and Castle online. The Old Course uses advance applications and a 48-hour ballot, plus a Singles Daily Draw for solo golfers. So you can anchor the weekend with confirmed rounds and still chase a famous tee time once you arrive.
Choice helps when wind shifts. The New is classic links with narrower driving lines than the Old. The Jubilee is the stern test. The Castle sits on the cliffs and runs a spring–autumn season, then closes for winter. If you want a guaranteed seaside showpiece without a ballot, Kingsbarns is fifteen minutes down the coast and opens next-season bookings on 1 June each year. Dumbarnie Links sits eleven miles south for another modern links day.
Weekend Golf Trip Itinerary: 2 Days in St Andrews
Play the Old Course (if you’re lucky)
Build flexibility into your diary. Enter the Old Course ballot by mid-afternoon two days before you want to play, then check results later that day. If you’re solo, put your name in the Singles Daily Draw at the Old Pavilion or Links Clubhouse the day before play. Keep your phone on and your bag ready. Many weekend travellers get a last-minute spot by staying nimble.
If you land a time, great. Arrive early, warm up at the range, and walk over the Swilcan Bridge with a grin. If not, don’t worry. The neighbours are superb and far easier to book.
Best alternatives if you can’t book the Old
Go straight to the New Course or Jubilee Course via the online portal and lock times that fit your meals and travel. If the weather looks calm, add the Castle Course for cliff-top views; remember it runs a seasonal schedule and often uses mats in early March. Prefer a guarantee without Trust systems? Kingsbarns releases next-season slots from 1 June and offers a three-day “last-minute” window at rack rate when you’re already in Fife.
Where to eat after 18 holes
Stay around the Links on busy weekends. The Tom Morris Bar & Grill serves all day and lets you watch groups come up the fairways while you eat. If you’re returning from the Castle or Kingsbarns, book in St Andrews town for less rushing between courses and dinner.
Morning vs afternoon tee times
Mornings are calmer more often than not. Book earlier starts for the Castle or Jubilee if the forecast shows a fresh cross-wind. Leave a floating slot on day two to slot in an Old Course ballot win or a Kingsbarns last-minute time. That way, nothing breaks if the wind turns.
Best Courses for Short Breaks
Old Course
Bucket-list golf, public access, no Sunday play. You’ll need a ballot win, an advance application, a singles draw slot or an authorised-provider package. On some dates the Trust publishes “busy days” when ballot chances fall. Build backup rounds and keep expectations realistic for a weekend.
New Course
Old Tom heritage, par 71, out-and-back beside the Eden Estuary. Book direct online. Many golfers rate it as the best value in town.
Jubilee Course
Often called the toughest test at St Andrews. Tight corridors and exposure make it a handful when the breeze pipes up. Book online.
Castle Course
Cliff-top drama east of town. Runs spring–autumn and closes in winter; early spring can use fairway mats. Book on the same portal or phone the team.
Eden & Strathtyrum
Perfect for a relaxed afternoon or for mixed-ability groups. Easy to secure online and close to the Links Clubhouse for post-round food.
Kingsbarns
World-top-100 modern links fifteen minutes south. Advance requests open 1 June for the following year, and a three-day last-minute window appears online at rack rate. Strong caddie pool. Expect premium green fees, premium views, and slick service.
Dumbarnie Links
Another modern option down the A917. Eleven miles from town; allow around 30 minutes with traffic. Good when you want a guaranteed tee time in peak months.
Where to Stay for Your Golf Weekend
Pick a self-catering base you can walk from. Central streets put you five to ten minutes from the Links, shops and restaurants. Short Stay St Andrews manages homes sized for two-balls, four-balls and full groups, with lockable storage for clubs and space for drying gear. A town-centre flat keeps the ballot routine painless and lets you drift to the clubhouse on foot before breakfast. If you’re playing Kingsbarns or Dumbarnie as well, you’re still a short, scenic drive away.
FAQs for Weekend Golfers
Can I play the Old Course on a weekend trip?
Yes, but treat it as a bonus. Enter the 48-hour ballot as a two or four ball, check the ballot results page later that day, and consider the Singles Daily Draw if you’re travelling alone. Keep alternative rounds booked so you’re always playing.
What’s the best short itinerary in St Andrews?
Day one: New or Jubilee in the morning, lunch at the Links Clubhouse, light nine or practice in the afternoon. Day two: aim for the Old Course via ballot; if it doesn’t drop, play Castle (calm day) or Eden/Strathtyrum (windy day). Kingsbarns fits either day if you fancy a guaranteed showpiece.
Where should I stay for a 2-night golf break?
In town. You’ll walk to the first tee, restaurants and shops, and you can pivot quickly if the ballot comes good or the wind changes. Self-catering suits early starts and late finishes without chasing tables.
What courses are easier to book on short notice?
New, Jubilee, Eden, Strathtyrum and the Castle book online. Kingsbarns releases a small pool of last-minute times up to three days ahead at rack rate. Dumbarnie also posts visitor availability and is an 11-mile hop down the coast.
Is it possible to walk to multiple courses?
Yes. The Old, New, Jubilee, Eden and Strathtyrum share the same complex beside West Sands with the Tom Morris Bar & Grill at the hub for food between rounds. The Castle is a short drive east; Kingsbarns and Dumbarnie are close along the A917.
Plan your Trip
Ready to plan your golf weekend St Andrews? Browse our Accommodation in St Andrews and we’ll match you to homes near the Links. Then book your tee times on the portal, enter the Old Course ballot, and keep one slot free for a late win. For deeper planning, see our course pages for the Old, New, Jubilee, Castle, Kingsbarns and Dumbarnie, plus our St Andrews golf trip itinerary tools and packing checklist.
