Old Course Ballott 2024

[louise_a]

Just had and email saying that applications are now beong accepted £600 to play TOC plus one other, includes 3 course meal and some practice balls, singles can also apply (is this a new thing)

 

[need_my_wedge]

No it's not. I've done it a couple of times in the past, and was successful both times, but it's gone up considerably since then. Was £330 last time I did it.

If you go for it, the best value in terms of courses for money, is play the Old and the Castle. That fee is still more expensive than the two green fees though, although you are effectively booking way in advance.

 

[Mel Smooth]

Ridiculous amount of money for a round of golf. Especially when you can walk round there on pretty much any given Sunday for nack all, without the stress of trying to justify how much you've paid to play while hacking it around 15 shots over your handicap...

 

[abjectplop]

This has been on the go for years but prices have massively increased.

The shoulder season price (first 2 weeks in April) is now £450. I last played in 2016 and it was £152 for the 2 rounds.

 

[IanM]

I've played there a few times. Probably won't ever go again. They are taking the pee at those prices!

I'll spend the cash somewhere else that isn't

 

[AAC]

As others have said it has increased in cost massively, doubt I would apply at £600.00.

I can't remember how much I paid around 2013 but pretty sure it was sub £200.00

 

[Bratty]

I'm lucky that I played it in 2013 off-season for £100. And I know a couple of members now, so played it a couple of years ago for £75!
I played the New earlier this year for £27.50 with last year's R&A Captain.
No way would I pay £300 for the Old having played it. If I hadn't, then I would, as it's a bucket list course, and the sheer history and magnitude makes it special.

 

[Springveldt]

That's nearly the price of an annual membership at a few courses around here. Crazy price for 2 rounds of golf and a dinner.

 

[pendodave]

Blimey!
I rocked up on the 48 hour ballot one autumn day about 5 years ago and iirc it was about £125.
I'm certainly never doing it again!
I think that the best option for the keen golfer is to book the 3 day links ticket and gorge yourself on the other courses, then walk the course on a Sunday when it's open access to get a view of all the holes, greens etc.
You can then blag shamelessly about various arcane features of the course to anyone you meet at a dinner party/ Works do etc.

 

[howbow88]

I can't get over that price. I paid £180 for a round at TOC in 2018. 5 years later and it is now £295 for what's left of this Summer. But based on that £600 price for TOC, plus Castle/New Course, and a nice dinner, I'm guessing TOC will be around £350 at least for Summer 2024. They are clearly cashing in on the US tourist market and whilst I understand that, it's still quite sad to see a public course do this and totally disregard the UK market.

I always thought that I would play TOC again one day, but there's absolutely no chance of that now (get out the world's smallest violin for me!)

 

[Dando]

Looks like I won’t be playing there at those prices

 

[rystaman]

I can't get over that price. I paid £180 for a round at TOC in 2018. 5 years later and it is now £295 for what's left of this Summer. But based on that £600 price for TOC, plus Castle/New Course, and a nice dinner, I'm guessing TOC will be around £350 at least for Summer 2024. They are clearly cashing in on the US tourist market and whilst I understand that, it's still quite sad to see a public course do this and totally disregard the UK market.

I always thought that I would play TOC again one day, but there's absolutely no chance of that now (get out the world's smallest violin for me!)

Feel like courses like TOC are just getting more and more out of range for the average UK golfer. I played the Eden and Strath this year but christ that's ludicrous. Definitely cashing in on the US tourists (of which there are ever more and more)

 

[Yorkhacker]

Looks like I won’t be playing there at those prices

You can play there without having to pay those prices.
I'm playing the Old, New and Jubilee in November for £215, including £25 food voucher. Ok, it will be off mats and possibly cold and wet, but it's still 3 top courses.
Also, its Scotland, so it can be cold and wet any time of the year. At least I will be prepared for the worst weather.

 

[mister v]

Has anyone who applied had their ballot results yet?

 

[upsidedown]

Has anyone who applied had their ballot results yet?

yes, missed out

 

[mister v]

havent had mine yet, im not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing........... its the hope thats killing me

 

[KenL]

yes, missed out

Just head to St. Andrews for a few days. Enter the draw each day and you should get lucky. Half the times are released that way. Plenty other quality courses to play on the days you miss.

 

[Crow]

I dreamt for many years of playing The Old Course but it's sadly no longer in existence, in its place is a new course called "The Very Wealthy Overseas Visitor Experience".

It's a pity, but there you go.

 

[IanM]

£320 in summer 2024 is quite mad. Someone on charge needs to give their head a wobble.

 

[KenL]

£320 in summer 2024 is quite mad. Someone on charge needs to give their head a wobble.

I know, a real shame the price has gone up so much.
I played 7 years ago. £175.