Thinking about a pilgrimage to the Home of Golf is one thing, but actually making it happen can feel overwhelming. This is your no-nonsense guide to visiting St Andrews Links. We'll walk through exactly how to get a tee time on the legendary Old Course, what to do if you can't, and how to soak in the atmosphere even if you never tee it up.
Before we go any further, let's clear up a common point of confusion. "St Andrews" isn't a single golf course. It's the St Andrews Links Trust, a public institution that manages seven distinct public courses. The Old Course is the most famous, but it's part of a larger family. The other six are:
Knowing this is your secret weapon. While everyone fixates on The Old Course, securing a time on one of the other six is far simpler and offers a world-class links experience in its own right.
Okay, this is the holy grail. Getting a tee time on the Old Course requires planning, a bit of luck, or a healthy budget. There is no simple online booking system for visitors. Here are the four realistic methods to get on.
This is the most popular method for groups of two, three, or four golfers. Think of it as a daily lottery for tee times. You enter your group's details, cross your fingers, and hope your name is drawn.
Pro tip: The ballot is for groups of two or more. If you're a foursome, you have a better chance of being drawn than a twosome, as they try to fill the course in fours. Don't be discouraged if you don't succeed on the first try, many people enter it several days in a row.
If you are traveling alone, this is your best shot. Each day, a number of slots are left open to accommodate single golfers. The Old Course starter will fit these single players into twosomes or threesomes that have been drawn in the ballot.
There's no online form. You just show up. Early. Very early. The tradition is to get in line at the Old Pavilion (the small building next to the first tee) in the wee hours of the morning. In peak season, this means arriving at 2 or 3 AM to find a handful of people already there. You wait in line until the staff arrives (usually around 6 AM), give them your name and handicap information, and then wait to see if you get a spot.
Success is not guaranteed. It depends on how many slots are available and how many people are in the queue. You might get out right away, or you might be told to come back later in the afternoon. It's an adventure, and it's a great way to meet fellow golf fanatics from around the world. Just bring coffee, a book, and a good attitude.
If you're planning your trip a year or more in advance, you can try the Private Advance Tee Time application. St Andrews Links allocates a portion of tee times to these applications.
This method requires long-term planning, but it's a great option if you have a specific travel window in mind.
This is the most certain - and most expensive - way to play The Old Course. A select number of Authorised Providers of Old Course Tee Times (golf tour operators) are allocated a certain number of guaranteed tee times each year. You book a package with them that includes your Old Course round, accommodation, and often other golf and transport.
This bypasses any lottery or uncertainty. If you have the budget and want to eliminate all stress, this is the way to go. Be prepared to pay a significant premium for the convenience and guarantee. A quick search for "St Andrews Old Course Authorised Provider" will give you a list of official partners.
What if the ballot fails and the singles queue is a mile long? Don't even think of being disappointed. You are at the Home of Golf, with six other incredible links courses at your disposal. The New Course, designed by Old Tom Morris, is considered a championship test by many locals. The Jubilee is a rugged course that hugs the coast. The Castle Course offers a more modern links design with dramatic cliffside views.
Unlike The Old Course, booking these courses is straightforward. You can book them well in advance directly on the St Andrews Links website, just like a "normal" golf course. Playing one or two of these is an essential part of any golf trip to St Andrews and will leave you with an amazing experience.
You don't need a set of clubs to have an unforgettable time at St Andrews. The entire area is a living golf museum.
A trip to St Andrews is the ultimate goal for many golfers. Success relies on understanding your options - from the lucky-dip ballot to the guaranteed tour package - and embracing the incredible alternatives if you can't get that coveted Old Course time. With a little planning and the right mindset, you're sure to have an amazing visit, whether you're playing 18 or just walking the historic fairways.
If you're one of the fortunate golfers who secures a time, you’ll face shots you've probably only seen on TV. Playing The Old Course for the first time is full of blind shots and tricky situations. We actually built Caddie AI for moments like these. When you don't have a caddie or just want a second opinion, you can get instant strategic advice on how to play a new hole or handle a difficult lie, all so you can step up to every shot with confidence instead of uncertainty.
Playing a friendly competitive match is one of the best ways to get more out of your golf round. Tee games add a layer of focus, camaraderie, and excitement that can turn an average day on the course into a memorable one. This guide will walk you through the rules, strategies, and nuances of some of the most popular golf tee games so you can confidently suggest or jump into a game on the first tee.
You did it. The one shot every golfer dreams of. That little white ball is now more than just a piece of equipment, it's a trophy, a story, a symbol of a perfect moment in time. Now the big question isn't how you hit the shot, but how to properly honor it. This guide will walk you through the best ways to display your hole-in-one golf ball, covering everything from classic plaques to modern-looking custom ideas, ensuring your incredible achievement gets the recognition it deserves.
Pointing your golf club correctly at the target sounds like the simplest part of the game, yet it's where countless shots go wrong before the swing even starts. Good golf is built on a foundation of solid fundamentals, and it all begins with knowing exactly where you're aiming. This guide will give you a repeatable, step-by-step process for lining up your club and body, giving you the confidence to swing freely at your target, every single time.
A simple, thin rectangle of fabric could be the most powerful feedback tool in your golf bag. That's a golf training mat, and this guide will show you exactly how to use its instant feedback to diagnose your swing faults, dial in your ball striking, and finally understand the why behind your good and bad shots. We'll cover everything from setup to interpreting the story your swing leaves behind.
That sinking feeling when your ball vanishes is something every golfer knows all too well. One moment it's soaring through the air, and the next, it's seemingly vaporized, leaving you to wonder what comes next. Knowing how to proceed confidently and correctly is an important part of the game. This guide will walk you through exactly what to do when your ball is lost, explaining the official rules, practical options, and how to keep your round moving without any confusion.
Playing a golf course for the first time should be exciting, but for many golfers, it’s a source of anxiety. Without local knowledge, every tee shot feels like a guess and every green holds a hidden surprise. This guide will give you a simple, repeatable process to take the guesswork out of playing a new course, helping you play with more confidence, shoot better scores, and, most importantly, have more fun.
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
