4 Tips for Getting a Tee Time On the Old Course, St Andrews

VIP packages that guarantee a tee time on the Old Course, get booked up fast, so if you know your travel dates, drop us a line so that we can secure your tee times. They do cost a bit more than our other packages, but they do 100% guarantee you will be playing the Old Course and also include rounds on Kingbarns, the New Course and Carnoustie as well as staying in 4* or 5* accommodations; giving you a very special golfing experience.

The chances of being successful in the Ballot vary with the time year from over 80% in the Spring and Autumn to under 50% in peak season. However, it is a well-trodden route and many golfers in the past have got to walk the hallow turf through this method. Our St Andrews packages include playing Kingsbarns, The New Course and Carnoustie, as well as Dumbarnie Links, The New Course and the Old Course. Alternatively take in some of the hidden gems in the area such as Crail, Elie, Scotscraig and the Jubilee Course.

• Top Tip: Enter the Old Course Ballot every day that you are in St Andrews. If you are successful, just give us a ring and we will rearrange all your tee time to accommodate the tee-time-of-all-time!

Note that the ballot takes place daily for tee times 48 hours before the day of play and there needs to be at least two of you to enter it. Good luck!

If ballot success is alluding you or you are a night owl, set your alarm and get yourself to the starter's hut at first light. The starter will then proceed to fill the gaps in the day's tee sheet with singletons. To stand a chance of securing an Old Course tee time, you need to get there early, stand in line and be patient, as no doubt quite a few other golfers will have had the same idea. Note that if you are a group you will need to split into singles, but on the upside this is a well-trodden path to Old Course glory, and you'll make lots of new friends!

Due to the large number of reservations scheduled from 2020 and 2021 into next year, and with reduced capacity from hosting The 150th Open in 2022, there are limited opportunities to apply for reservations. For those that did apply and were successful, firstly huge congratulations, and secondly, we can arrange your trip around your Old Course dates. No doubt you will be wanting to play the other great courses in the area like Kingsbarns and Carnoustie, or perhaps add a few days in the Scottish Highlands playing the likes of Royal Dornoch, Nairn, and Castle Stuart.