How to Play St. Andrews: Ballots, Prices, and Tips

Photo by Gerda Kauks on Unsplash

Playing the Old Course at St. Andrews is the most meaningful round of golf most players will ever experience. The birthplace of the game, the course where the rules were first codified, and the venue of more Open Championships than anywhere else in the world — it's a pilgrimage every golfer should make at least once. Here's everything you need to know to make it happen.

The Ballot System Explained

Tee times on the Old Course are allocated through two systems: advance balloting and a same-day ballot. The advance ballot allows golfers to apply online for tee times up to two years ahead; successful applications are notified and required to pay within a specific window. The success rate varies significantly by season — summer months have low odds (20–30%) while October-April odds are considerably better.

The same-day ballot (sometimes called the "singles ballot") opens at 2 PM each day for the following morning's tee times. Golfers enter their details online or at the starter's box and winners are drawn at 4 PM. This is the most accessible route for golfers already in St. Andrews who have flexibility to play whenever they're drawn. Success in the singles ballot is genuinely unpredictable but free to enter.

Booking Through Hotels and Tour Operators

Several luxury properties and golf tour operators in Scotland have allocation agreements with the St. Andrews Links Trust that guarantee tee times for their guests. The Old Course Hotel (immediately adjacent to the 17th and 18th holes), Fairmont St. Andrews, and various golf tour operators offer packages that include guaranteed Old Course tee times in exchange for booking accommodation and packages through them. This is the most reliable path to playing the Old Course, particularly for visitors with inflexible schedules.

Green Fees and What's Included

Green fees at the Old Course run approximately £260–£330 depending on season (roughly $320–$410 at recent exchange rates). This includes the course fee but not caddie or equipment rental. Caddies at St. Andrews are a non-negotiable recommendation — they know every break, every wind effect, and every piece of history attached to every hole. Caddie fees run £60–£80 plus tip for the round, and the investment is returned many times in experience and insight.

Which Other St. Andrews Courses to Play

The St. Andrews Links complex includes six courses beyond the Old Course. The New Course (actually opened in 1895) is a superb links track at around £90 per round. The Jubilee Course is particularly challenging and offers exceptional value. The Strathtyrum is the most beginner-friendly option. Playing the New Course the day before or after the Old Course gives context for how St. Andrews approaches links design across different eras and budgets.

What to Do in St. Andrews Beyond Golf

St. Andrews is a charming medieval university town. The ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral, the British Golf Museum (immediately adjacent to the Old Course — essential for golf history enthusiasts), the fishing harbour, and the extraordinary seafood restaurants make St. Andrews a complete destination beyond the golf itself. Budget two to three nights minimum; arriving the evening before your tee time to walk the Swilcan Bridge at sunset is a rite of passage.

Playing St. Andrews is a profound experience — not just because the course is beautiful (it is) or because it's challenging (it is), but because you're standing on ground that has been played continuously for six hundred years. No other experience in golf carries that weight.