St. Andrews Golf

do you have to pay that company any money?

I'm waiting for their bid but saw their packages were for 5 nights - do not need that amount of time. I did some further checking. AirBB right near Old Course entire home - very inexpensive compared to the Old Course place to stay... just trying to find out how to get a tee booked. I just do not know their "system" as to walk on's, confirmed times etc... thank you

Wow... great info, thank you. Though we a party of two, only one golfer so I see best to go to the Pavilion and see if able to match up my friend. Great news re the weather too! The package is through Golf International and generally their min packages are for 6 nights - they willing to reduce to 4 and they had the one date at 2:00 T time at Old Course - then two other dates we booked at two other courses- but staying at Old Course. Of course very expensive and would seriously consider but no guarantee as to getting $$ back if unable to physically get there due to COVID19 if travel restrictions (we US). What they have been doing for 2020 is just credit folks but we are in mid 70's terrific health - today - but in a year just hesitate to pay so much for one never knows... thank you!

The U.K. government today announced that it’s likely to be another year until we are on top of COVID, so whatever you book for May 2021, make sure that it’s fully refundable. Scotland and Wales are clamping down harder than the English government if COVID flares.

I have a school reunion planned for May and think the chances of this happening are less than 50%.

So helpful, thank you!! I think greater caution is to just pass this one. Look to 2022!

Thank you
diane

I looked into this for my husband as an anniversary gift. It was a little confusing, so I emailed standrews.com directly. They responded promptly, but the news wasn’t encouraging for a single player.
If you give them your circumstances, they can give you a more specific answer. In my husband’s case, he needed to line up at the starter’s box VERY early (4:45 a.m.) and wait to see how many spots were available. A prior poster has explained that just because there isn’t a foursome doesn’t guarantee you a spot. In his case, he was given a tee time that afternoon (I think he was 6th in line). Yes, 6th in line at 4:45 a.m. He made friends with others in line and one that had a car, collected a foursome and they played another course in the region the next day.

I do remember there being twosomes that were able to put their name in for the ballot the next day, but that option was not open to a single. As I said, I would go to the source for information as things can change.

He loved every minute of the trip. He would tell you that a caddie is a must. Also, he rented clubs from Auchterlonies that were top of the line and their service was amazing. I hope the trip works out for you.

My husband got on as a single in August, 2011, [ so my info is a bit dated.]
He arrived about 4:30 am, and there were already a few folks there with sleeping bags, who arrived around midnight. About a dozen folks were ahead of him, at 4:30 am.
The starter arrived at 6:00am to take names,
and instructs you to check back in. My husband had breakfast, checked back in after breakfast, waited a little bit, and received a tee time. Apparently the guys with sleeping bags had asked for a later time, and caught a few hours of sleep before they played.

I was too intimidated to play that course. Hole #1 and #18 fairway/green are pretty wide open, so golfers tee off and play those holes in front of the crowds. Can you imagine whiffing a shot in front of such an audience?

The course is closed on Sundays, but the locals give walking tours, so one can experience the course without playing it.

Also, the course is public, and golfers are allowed to bring their dogs, leashed to their walking pull carts. There are no riding carts allowed.

We stayed at the Russacks House [MacDonald Hotel chain] , across the street from the course, in a room with a great view of the first and last holes, and felt the cost was reasonable, given the view and location. [Certainly a better price than Pebble Beach!]

Best of luck and wishing you good health!

There are seven ways to get a time in The Old Course, several have been covered here and there are numerous books and articles written on the subject. One way not mentioned: befriend a local at a pub the night or a few days before; he is likely a golfer and a Member of one of the local clubs that has access on certain days and times. If you are lucky enough to go in May 2021 due to Covid, it could be the easiest early morning wait in the last 30 years.

You used to have to show your golf handicap card, so check on that.