How to Get a Tee Time on the St Andrews Old Course 4.0
- bgtriptips
- Jan 18
- 3 min read
Since writing my first series of posts about How to Play the Old Course, I've had several readers reach out to me asking....."how can I improve my odds of getting a tee time on the Old Course?"
As I explained in my original post, there are only 4 ways to get a tee time on the Old Course. If you are new to my blog and haven't read all my posts about my trip to St Andrews, I encourage you to read all my helpful tips and proper planning for Playing the Old Course. Click here to access all blog posts:
I will again list the 4 ways to get a tee time below in the order of best odds at a tee time:
Purchase a Trip Package from a Travel Vendor (upwards of $10,000)
Play with a Links Ticketholder (member)
Enter the Daily Ballot (2 to 4 golfers required)
Enter the Singles Daily Ballot Draw
For most of us, the second-best option is to play with a Links Ticketholder. Ticketholders are essentially the "members" of the St Andrews Links courses. Ticketholders must also enter their Ballot drawing for a tee time, but I think it's Vegas Rules here if you know what I mean? House wins!!
Option 3 represents the 3rd best odds for a tee time. This option requires that 2 or 3 or 4 players enter the Daily Ballot (explained in my prior post). A single player cannot enter this Ballot and must enter the Singles Draw in option 4. The Singles Draw means you get a chance at any open spots that may be left that day after everyone else has picked over the tee times.
At least the recent addition of the Singles Draw is far better than the prior method for a single to get a tee time. My daughter was there a few years ago and the only option was to get in line the night before and wait all night. The first in line got the first possible spot available, then 2, 3, 4, etc. You might wait in line all night and still not get on.
Recently I was sent an email by Terry O who lives in Canada and had read my blog. Terry plans to be in St Andrews on June 2, 3 and 4, 2025. Like many brave souls Terry wants to check the Old Course off his Bucket List, but he will be there as a Single Player. Realizing his only option is the Singles Daily Ballot Draw, representing the worst odds for a tee time, Terry is trying to find someone to partner with him in the Daily Ballot.
As my stated mission for this blog is to help golfers plan Budget Golf Trips, I'm going to offer to try and assist All the Single Golfers in the World Trying to Get an Old Course Tee Time. If you will send me an email like Terry did to bgtriptips@gmail.com and tell me the dates you plan to be in St Andrews, I will try and connect you with other golfers who may be there at the same time and willing to partner up in the Daily Ballot. Even if you don't have your dates locked in yet, but know you plan to be there sometime in..... say the month of June. Let me know you would like to connect with someone interested in a June date.
If you can connect with someone else (2 or more) to enter the Daily Ballot, you will greatly improve your odds of getting a tee time. If I do get requests from two or more golfers who will be there at the same time/month I will email both/all of you putting you in touch with each other. Together you can then make your own arrangements on how to connect and enter the Ballot and/or synch up your travel dates.
If any of you plan to be in St Andrews on June 2, 3 or 4, 2025, send me an email to bgtriptips@gmail.com and I will connect you with Terry O.
I hope my efforts may help some of you get an Old Course tee time. If I can help with other questions about St Andrews, The Old Course or just Golf Trips in general, just send me an email and ask.
And remember every golf shot makes somebody happy!!
Larry
Comments