For any golfer, the name alone is enough to send a shiver down the spine: St Andrews. The Home of Golf. The hallowed turf of the Old Course. It’s not just a golf course; it’s a pilgrimage, a museum, a church, and the ultimate test of links golf, all woven into one timeless, legendary landscape.
The dream is universal: to walk the same fairways as Old Tom Morris and Young Tom, to tread the Swilcan Bridge, to conquer the Hell Bunker, and to line up a putt on the vast, undulating green of the 18th with the Royal and Ancient clubhouse watching over you. But for many, this dream feels just out of reach, shrouded in the mystery of the Old Course ballot and perceived impossible availability.
Let us demystify the process. Your iconic round on the Old Course is not a myth; it’s a mission we can help you accomplish. This is your guide to not just visiting St Andrews, but experiencing it fully through a tailored golf package that turns the complex into the achievable.
The Allure of the Old: Why This Course Captivates the World
Before we delve into the ‘how’, it’s worth remembering the ‘why’. The Old Course is the original. Dating back to the 15th century, its design wasn’t imposed on the land but emerged from it. This results in a unique layout with shared double fairways, massive greens serving two holes, and fiendish pot bunkers that are more like sandy graves for wayward shots.
Playing here is a lesson in golf’s purest form. It demands strategy over strength, creativity over power. You’ll use putters from 50 yards out, play bump-and-runs along the tight turf, and learn to read the wind as your most critical opponent. It’s a humbling, exhilarating, and utterly unforgettable experience that changes every golfer’s relationship with the game.
Cracking the Code: Understanding Old Course Tee Time Availability
The single biggest question we get is: “How do I actually get a tee time?” The system can seem daunting, but it’s designed to be fair. There are three primary pathways to the first tee:
1. The Old Course Ballot (The “Daily Lottery”)
This is the most common method for individual golfers. The ballot opens 48 hours in advance of the day you wish to play. For example, if you want to play on a Friday, you must enter the ballot by 2:00 PM on the Wednesday prior. You can enter as a single, twosome, threesome, or foursome, with higher chances for larger groups. Success is never guaranteed—it’s a lottery—but it’s the heart of the public access spirit of St Andrews.
2. Advanced Guaranteed Tee Times (The Package Key)
This is where a specialised golf tour operator becomes invaluable. A limited number of advance tee times are allocated to authorised providers for packaged tours. By booking a curated golf package, you secure your Old Course tee time well in advance, often 12-18 months prior. This eliminates the anxiety of the ballot and allows you to build your entire trip around this guaranteed round. This is the ultimate peace-of-mind solution.
3. The Singles Queue (The Dawn Patrol Adventure)
For the spontaneous and dedicated, there is always hope. The Starter reserves a number of slots each day for single golfers. This involves arriving at the Starter’s hut before dawn, adding your name to the list, and waiting patiently for a slot to open up due to no-shows or gaps in pairings. It’s a rite of passage for many, filled with camaraderie and coffee, and your chances are surprisingly good, especially in the shoulder seasons.
Beyond the Old: Crafting Your Ultimate St Andrews Golf Package
A journey to St Andrews is about more than one round. The Fife region is a treasure trove of world-class links golf. A premier golf package ensures you experience the full spectrum of what makes this area sacred ground.
Your package should include:
- Guaranteed Old Course Tee Time: The crown jewel, pre-booked and confirmed.
- Play on the St Andrews Links Trophy Courses: The Old Course is one of seven public courses in the town. A complete package will include rounds on its magnificent siblings: the New Course (a classic, strategic test older than most countries’ ‘old’ courses), the Jubilee Course (the longest and most demanding championship layout), and the Eden Course (a delightful, shorter but tactical challenge).
- The “Next Door” Greats: No trip to St Andrews is complete without venturing just beyond the town. Your package must include rounds on iconic nearby links like Kingsbarns Golf Links, a modern masterpiece perched on clifftops above the North Sea, and Carnoustie Golf Links, the formidable “Beast” from Angus that has hosted multiple Open Championships. These courses provide a stunning contrast and complement to the Old.
- Luxury Accommodation: Stay in the heart of the action. Packages include premier hotels like the Old Course Hotel (with its infamous Road Hole looming outside), the Rusacks St Andrews (overlooking the 18th fairway), or other luxurious, centrally located properties that put you steps away from the history and buzz of the town.
- Expert Local Guidance: From arranging caddies (highly recommended to unlock the secrets of the courses) to securing premier dinner reservations and managing all logistics, your tour operator handles the details, so you can focus on your swing and soaking in the atmosphere.
Your Invitation to History
The dream of playing the Old Course is powerful because it represents a connection to everything that is great about golf: history, tradition, challenge, and beauty. The perceived barriers to entry are just that—perceived.
With careful planning, expert partnership, and the right package, your place on the first tee is waiting. You can stop dreaming about watching Opens on TV and start preparing for your own backswing on the 1st, your own approach to the 18th, and your own triumphant walk over the Swilcan Bridge.
Don’t leave the most important golf round of your life to chance. Let us transform the complex quest for availability into a seamless, luxurious, and guaranteed golf adventure. Contact us today to discuss crafting your personalised St Andrews Old Course package. Your place in history awaits.