Old Course Help/Advice

[Crow]

My wife suggested we have a week's holiday in Fife this year, with no prompting from me, yes I am suspicious but hey, I'll go with it.

Anyway, being so close to The Old Course I'd like to try and play it some time during the week.
I've heard talk of ballots and turning up early and queuing, but can anybody offer any advice on the options available and which has the best chance of getting on?

I'm driving up on Saturday so should be able to play any day Monday 10th to Friday 14th August.

Thanks.

 

[fundy]

http://www.standrews.com/Ballot

You can only enter the ballot as 2 or more, if thats not an option then its try on the day at the Old Pavillion it seems

 

[matt71]

Only option you have is getting down to starter hut really early and I mean very early and then see if anyone will let you join them

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Just for info, you will be there the same week as the Eden tournament is on so getting onto some of the other courses will be limited. The Eden will be busy all week, the New busy on Mon/Tues and the Jubilee busy on Thursday.

If you are only interested in TOC though then your only option is silly o'clock at the starters hut I'm afraid.

 

[Crow]

Thanks, I guess I should have looked at the website first!

Hmm, the turn up early looks the best bet, what time is "very early"?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Are you sitting down??








3am

 

[SugarPenguin]

If it fails play the castle courseor new course.
You won't be disappointed

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

The Old course is £170 this year, if you can't get a time have you considered Kingsbarns? It is superb (£226) :thup:

 

[Crow]

3 am!!!

I'm going to have to think about this oo:

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If you can get on then you'll enjoy it. It's simply iconic. If the Eden event is holding an event the other courses will be busy and spaces limited. However, there are plenty of other courses in the area and none of them would disappoint. Scotland really is God's golfing country

 

[Crow]

It's The Old Course or nothing, well I say nothing, I'll play another course in the area but I can only justify big money for TOC.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Carnoustie is 40 minutes up the road

 

[Bratty]

I was first in the queue at 05.45 on Easter Saturday 5 years ago.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I was first in the queue at 05.45 on Easter Saturday 5 years ago.

Yeah but we are talking mid summer 3 weeks after the Open now

 

[Bratty]

Yeah, good point.

 

[richart]

Lundin links looks fantastic. Had dinner in the hotel over looking the course, and will definitely try and get a game when I return in 2016.

Ladybank is a very nice heathland course not too far away. Scotscraig has a good reputation, and Steve1969 is a member.

If you want a top course though, and don't fancy a 3.00 am queue, I would get up to Carnoustie. It is the toughest course I have played, though it didn't help that it was pouring with rain, and blowing a gale.

 

[richart]

The Old course is £170 this year, if you can't get a time have you considered Kingsbarns? It is superb (£226) :thup:

Just noticed you can get a second round for £113 if played within 7 days. The more you play the cheaper it gets.:thup:

 

[mikeb4]

Lundin links looks fantastic. Had dinner in the hotel over looking the course, and will definitely try and get a game when I return in 2016.

Ladybank is a very nice heathland course not too far away. Scotscraig has a good reputation, and Steve1969 is a member.

If you want a top course though, and don't fancy a 3.00 am queue, I would get up to Carnoustie. It is the toughest course I have played, though it didn't help that it was pouring with rain, and blowing a gale.

I am lucky enough to stay in the kingdom of fife there is an abundance of good courses in the area including in Dunfermline

 

[Crow]

Thanks for the tips on other courses, sounds like I won't be too disappointed even if I don't get on The Old Course.

 

[backwoodsman]

Other thing to remember/try (if HID is being generous with time) is the St Andrews 3 day pass. £200 gets 3 days unlimited golf to be played within a 7 day period. Given that the Castle is £110 and New & Jubilee are £75 as single rounds, the pass is cracking value. We used them for 6 rounds at start of this month so certainly got our money's worth. (You'll not be surprised it doesn't include TOC).