Tee times at St Andrews Hard but doable!
Tee times at St Andrews Hard but doable!
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When you travel to Scotland to enjoy your "Trip of a Lifetime" with a group of friends or just by yourself, you had better know what you're doing and how to go about getting the tee times you want, especially at the Old Course at St. Andrews. Craig Better of golfvacationinsider.com is an expert on these matters, and here he tells us exactly what to do and even offers his assistance (if you need it)
Regular readers of Golf Vacation Insider know I often send reminders of critical dates and deadlines.
Well, one of these critical dates is mid September every year if you plan on playing the Old Course at St. Andrews the following year.
Miss this opportunity, and you'll likely have to pay about $1,000 for an advanced, Old Course tee time you could have obtained for about $245.
What's so important about mid September?
That's when the St. Andrews Links Trust (the organization that manages the Old Course and its six sibling courses) stops taking Advanced Reservations for the following year… and as you can imagine, they go fast.
Without an Advanced (i.e. "Guaranteed") Reservation for the Old Course through SALT, you have to:
Take your chances.
The Daily Ballot, which is drawn 48 hours in advance of the intended date of play…
Try to "walk on"
as a single the day you want to play, just show up at the first tee and talk to the starter. If you are prepared to wait around until a twosome or threesome shows up, you could be put in with them.
Use a travel outfit.
Some Travel Agents have a contract for tee times with the Old Course. Using this last method, you'll likely have to pay what works out to be about $1,000 for a guaranteed tee time you could have purchased for about $245 (at the current exchange rate).
So, if you already know you're taking a Scotland golf vacation next year, and the Old Course is on your list of courses to play, do yourself a favor and put in for an Advanced Reservation.
The application forms are posted on the St. Andrews Links Trust website (standrews.org.uk).
Read them very carefully, fill them out, and email them to reservations@standrews.org.uk between mid-August and mid-September of the year previous to when you plan on playing at the Old Course (exact dates for when to send your application can be found at the Links Trust website).
Note: Applications used to be accepted on a first-come, first served basis, which meant you had to be poised by your computer ready to hit "send" precisely at 14:00 BST on a certain day. But not anymore -- the Links Trust has now set a 20-day window to submit applications. They then select the tee times randomly.
When selecting the date you want to play, keep in mind that…
- the Old Course closes on Sundays.
- August is an extremely busy month (your chances aren't great)
- Sometimes, advanced reservations won't be accepted for September (play is available via a limited daily ballot only)
- The course is unavailable for public play on several other "busy dates". You should review before submitting your application because you will not be contacted if you choose bad dates.
However, it is perfectly acceptable to submit a range of dates that you can play. In fact, this may increase your chances of success.
A "Buddy Trip" to St Andrews is a "Trip of a Lifetime"
There are dozens more Old Course application rules (player minimums, two-round minimums, group requirements, handicap requirements, changes, refunds) and insider tips for scoring a coveted, guaranteed tee time.
Tee times at St Andrews Hard but doable! And, equally important, there's a lot more to know about taking a St. Andrews golf vacation than getting an Old Course tee time.
To these ends, if you'd like the best advice on, "how to do St. Andrews right", simply email me at: editor@golfvacationinsider.com with your specific dates and questions.
I'll then share your inquiry with my colleagues at Golf Odyssey, who can offer expert advice and even recommend a travel provider -- if you're looking for one -- that will likely fit best with your plans, travel style, and budget.
Nope, there's no cost involved. This is just free advice from those in the know.
Source : Craig Better golfvacationinsider.com Mel Sole Golf School.
Pictures : Mel Sole.
Thanks for reading - Tee times at St Andrews Hard but doable!
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