Menu
If you’re planning a golf trip to St Andrews and want to play the Old Course, this guide explains, step by step, how to get on, what it costs, when to apply, and where to base yourself in St Andrews.
Securing a tee time on the Old Course at St Andrews can be challenging due to its global popularity, but there are several ways to do so:
Advance reservations are made online through St Andrews Links Trust, typically for play in the following year. Applications open annually, and golfers should submit their preferred dates as early as possible. Demand is high, and reservations are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Ballot 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 2 PM, two days before they wish to play. To enter, there must be a minimum of two and a maximum of four players.
Single golfers can now enter the daily singles ballot. Solo golfers need to visit the Old Pavilion next to the first tee of the Old Course or the St Andrews Links Clubhouse between 9am until 5pm the day before you wish to play. There is now no all night queue option at the starters hut.
If you’re successful, you have to accept the tee time within the required time frame and book in and pay the green fee.
Authorized tour operators such as Scotland for Golf and St Andrews Golf Travel provide guaranteed tee times as part of golf packages that include accommodations and rounds on other courses. Bookings are made directly through these operators, offering a convenient way to secure a time on the Old Course.
The Old Course Hotel and other hotels and guesthouses offer exclusive packages that include guaranteed tee times on the Old Course. Guests should book through the hotels or guesthouses to take advantage of this option, which often includes additional amenities and rounds at other local courses.
St Andrews Links Trust offers multi-course golf packages that guarantee a round on the Old Course alongside access to other St Andrews Links courses. Packages are available for groups and are booked directly through St Andrews Links Trust.
For 2025, prices start from £90 per person, with the standard peak-season green fee widely reported for the Old Course being around £340. Prices vary by season and product, and the Trust occasionally runs special access schemes for Scottish residents at much lower rates. These offers are specific and eligibility-limited; most international visitors should budget for the standard fee.
Check the official site for current fees and any winter packages. The Castle Course typically closes over winter, while the other Links Trust courses run year-round.
Yes. To play the Old Course you must present a current handicap certificate. The maximum is generally cited as 36 for men and women; have your proof ready for the starter.
Caddies are available to book through St Andrews Links. For 2025, the caddie fee is £75 plus gratuity, payable direct to the caddie, with a tip at your discretion for good service. Booking early helps during peak months.
For advance reservations, apply in that late-August/early-September window for the following season. If you miss it, don’t panic. Plenty of golfers succeed via the 48-hour ballot or as singles via the Daily Draw once they are in town for a few days.
It’s a 48-hour lottery for two-balls and four-balls. Enter two days before you want to play and check the official ballot results page later the same day. If you fail, re-enter for the next day and keep playing the other Links courses in the meantime.
Be flexible on timing, travel with your clubs, and keep most of a day free. Register at the Old Pavilion or Links Clubhouse the day before, then be ready to slot into a two or three-ball with a gap. Patience helps; many singles get their round by staying nimble for a day or two.
If you love strategy and shared greens, the Old Course is unmatched. The New and Jubilee sit next door and deliver classic links tests with easier access. The Castle Course offers cliff-top drama and closes in winter. All book through St Andrews Links Trust. Smart itineraries mix at least one of these with your Old Course plan.
Yes, subject to availability and rules. You’ll need to meet the handicap requirement and secure a time through one of the routes above. On Sundays, the course is closed to play and used as public open space.
Prices start from £90 per person but plan for the standard seasonal green fee (about £340 at peak in 2025), with lower winter rates. Always check the official site for current fees when you book your trip.
Arrive early, warm up, and check in with the starter at the Old Pavilion. Play briskly, repair pitch marks, and mind the shared greens and crossing fairways. Caddies can help with lines and pace, which keeps the round smooth for everyone. Review the “Before Your Round” guidance on the official site ahead of time.
Holiday home highlights, hidden spots, and updates straight to your feed.
© 2025 Short Stay St Andrews – All Rights Reserved | Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Guest Login | Owner Login
Popular Searches
Upcoming events
Join our insiders list for early access to new stays, exclusive offers, and local tips across St Andrews and the East Neuk. Sign up now for 5% off your next booking.
