Playing a round at St Andrews is a rite of passage for many golfers, but knowing the cost and how to book a tee time can feel confusing. This guide breaks down exactly what you can expect to pay for the Home of Golf, covering everything from the famous Old Course green fees to securing a time, hiring a caddie, and enjoying the other spectacular courses on the property.
First, it's important to know that "St Andrews" isn't just one course. The St Andrews Links Trust manages seven public courses, each with its own character and price point. While the Old Course gets the spotlight, the others offer incredible golf experiences, are often easier to book, and are more affordable. The family of courses includes:
Understanding these options is the first step, as it provides multiple pathways to experience St Andrews golf, even if you can’t get on the Old Course.
Let's get straight to the big question. A tee time on the Old Course is one of golf's most coveted tickets. The price varies depending on the time of year, operating on a three-tiered seasonal system.
Here are the established green fees for the 2024/2025 season:
From a coach's perspective, before you even think about the fee, make sure you meet the handicap requirement. To play the Old Course, men and women must present an official handicap certificate showing a maximum handicap index of 36.0. They do check this, so come prepared with your handicap documentation (a digital version on your phone is usually fine). This rule helps maintain a good pace of play on a course that hosts thousands of visitors annually.
Paying the green fee is the easy part, securing the tee time is the real challenge. The cost of your round on the Old Course isn’t just money, it's also time, patience, or a premium for a guaranteed booking. There are three primary ways to do it.
The Old Course Ballot is essentially a daily lottery. It is by far the most popular way for groups of two, three, or four golfers to get a time. What’s amazing about this system is that there is no fee to enter the ballot. You only pay the green fee if you are successful.
How It Works:
Coach's Tip: Your odds of success are tied to demand. They are lower during the peak summer months (July and August) and anecdotally higher when entering as a 2-ball rather than a 4-ball. Give yourself several days in St Andrews to enter the ballot multiple times, which significantly increases your chances. Don't build your whole trip around a single ballot entry, have backup plans to play the other courses.
If you are a solo traveler, this is your best bet and a truly classic St Andrews experience. Every day, a number of ballot-won tee times are not full 4-balls. The starter will fill those empty spots with single golfers who are physically waiting in a queue.
How it Works:
The cost here is time and a bit of discomfort, but it costs nothing extra financially - you just pay the standard green fee if you get a slot. It's a fantastic way to meet fellow golfers from around the world. As a coach, I love this method. It shows dedication and a pure love for the game. Bring warm clothes, a portable chair, a good book, and you’ll walk away with a story regardless.
For those who need a guaranteed tee time locked in far in advance, the only way is to book through a golf tour operator or "Authorised Provider." These companies are allotted a certain number of Old Course tee times each year, which they sell as part of a larger travel package.
This is the most expensive route by a large margin. You aren't just paying the £320 green fee, you are paying a significant premium for the certainty of play. These packages typically include:
The total cost for such a package can easily run into several thousand pounds or dollars per person. This option is best for those with a rigid schedule and a healthy budget who want to eliminate all uncertainty.
One of the best pieces of advice I give to golfers heading to Scotland is this: do not overlook the other St Andrews Links tracks. The New and Jubilee courses are revered by golf purists and provide a phenomenal links experience for a fraction of the Old Course's price and without booking hassles. Advanced online booking for these courses is simple and readily available.
Indicative High-Season Green Fees (2024):
You can easily build a fantastic week of golf playing these other courses while you wait for your ballot result on the Old.
Your total cost doesn't end with the green fee. To get the full experience and plan your budget, you’ll need to account for these extras.
I cannot stress this enough: for your first round on the Old Course, hire a caddie. They are not just bag carriers, they are your guides, strategists, and historians. A caddie's knowledge of aim points from the tee, devious bunker locations, and subtle green slopes is invaluable. Their guidance will almost certainly save you several strokes and dramatically enhance your enjoyment.
The Old Course is primarily a walking course, a tradition that preserves its turf and character. Buggies (electric carts) are generally not permitted unless you have a permanent medical condition and secure pre-approval. For all other courses, buggy hire is less restrictive.
If you're not bringing your own clubs, you can rent high-quality sets from the Links Clubhouse. It's wise to book them in advance, especially during the high season, as popular brands can run out.
While the cost to play St Andrews can be high, particularly for a guaranteed Old Course round, the ballot and single-golfer systems make it far more accessible than many golfers realize. A trip to the Home of Golf is a journey worth making, and by planning ahead and exploring all seven courses, you can create an unforgettable experience, whatever your budget.
Once you’ve invested time and money on a trip like this, the last thing you want is to feel unprepared when you step onto the first tee. You can prepare your strategy before you even travel - that's where our work with Caddie AI comes in. I can guide you through preparing for your round by teaching you how to use our app to analyze unique situations. You can, for instance, ask what kind of shot you’ll need to hit off a tight lie to a firm green, or ask for strategies for a specific hole shape you’ve read about online. Having an A.I. golf expert that gives you clear, simple answers helps you arrive with more confidence, ready to make the most of every shot on your dream round.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
