St Andrews Discontinues 3-Day Unlimited Pass

[rystaman]

I’m heading up to St Andrews again this year around the May bank holiday (it’s become a bit of a recent tradition) and just had confirmation that the 3-day unlimited pass, easily one of the best value options they had, has been scrapped entirely from the end of 2024.

They’ve replaced it with something called the “Links 54” package: three rounds (Castle, Jubilee, and Eden) plus £25 food and drink credit for £380. But it’s only available to groups of two or more. I asked if there’s anything for solo golfers and was told, “we do not have any packages we can offer to single golfers in 2025.”

I’ve been making the solo May bank holiday trip for years with my missus walking the course with me, and this was the first time I planned to go all-in with the unlimited pass. Now, unless you’re in a group or happy to pay full whack for the ever-climbing green fees, you’re out of options.

It feels like another shift toward catering exclusively to overseas tourists on a ‘once in a lifetime’ trip, while UK golfers get left behind.

Just for context, I found back in 2015, the 3-day pass was £200 and a round on the New Course was £75. That same round now costs £150, literally double in 10 years, far outpacing inflation or wages.

Feels like, more recently than anything, that the game in the UK keeps getting more expensive and more exclusive.

 

[Crow]

No doubt all a part of the R&A's very valuable "Growing the Game" master plan.

 

[IanM]

No doubt all a part of the R&A's very valuable "Growing the Game in countries you haven't heard of " master plan.

 

[Crazyface]

When I'm PM, all green fees for ALL courses will have a limit of £75 for all residents of Great Britain. Also, the National Trust / English Heritage any other building of significance will be brought under the umbrella of Great British heritage and will be free to enter like museums and art galleries. Vote for ME !!!!

 

[Red devil]

When I'm PM, all green fees for ALL courses will have a limit of £75 for all residents of Great Britain. Also, the National Trust / English Heritage any other building of significance will be brought under the umbrella of Great British heritage and will be free to enter like museums and art galleries. Vote for ME !!!!

And free ale!

 

[3 jabber]

When I'm PM, all green fees for ALL courses will have a limit of £75 for all residents of Great Britain. Also, the National Trust / English Heritage any other building of significance will be brought under the umbrella of Great British heritage and will be free to enter like museums and art galleries. Vote for ME !!!!

If you promise the above I will definitely vote for you!!!

 

[rystaman]

No doubt all a part of the R&A's very valuable "Growing the Game" master plan.

Only thing that's growing is the money in their pockets. Looks like all the courses around Fife are cashing in, places like Leven Links getting rid of their twilight times and charging full whack

 

[IanM]

It's quite obscene what they are charging for the OC etc these days. No need for it all given the percentage (and price) of tee times that are sold as green fees.

Supply and demand isn't a valid defence, they've been balloting out excess demand for years.

 

[sjw]

When I'm PM, all green fees for ALL courses will have a limit of £75 for all residents of Great Britain. Also, the National Trust / English Heritage any other building of significance will be brought under the umbrella of Great British heritage and will be free to enter like museums and art galleries. Vote for ME !!!!

And are tee times going to be reserved for GB residents?

 

[Starter]

No doubt all a part of the R&A's very valuable "Growing the Game" master plan.

What has this to do with the R&A?

The courses and, therefore green fees are under the control of the Links Trust.

 

[Crow]

What has this to do with the R&A?

The courses and, therefore green fees are under the control of the Links Trust.

Do you not think that there might be some communication between the two?

On their home page the The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews lists its five objectives, number two of those is "To maintain the position of St Andrews as the home of golf and to assist the Trustees and the Management Committee of the St Andrews Links Trust in the development of appropriate golfing facilities".

 

[abjectplop]

OP......is going somewhere else an option? You can play all 3 courses at Carnoustie for £315 in April, or all 3 at Gullane for £300.

 

[Crazyface]

And are tee times going to be reserved for GB residents?

Yup!

 

[Tashyboy]

Personally I find premier golf courses could be going the same way as premiership football clubs. Tourists bring in more money.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Since the OC is very pro Scottish residents, as an Englishman they can charge what they like, I'm never going to get the chance to play there.

 

[Starter]

Do you not think that there might be some communication between the two?

On their home page the The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews lists its five objectives, number two of those is "To maintain the position of St Andrews as the home of golf and to assist the Trustees and the Management Committee of the St Andrews Links Trust in the development of appropriate golfing facilities".

Assist not control.

There are a number of bodies involved in assisting the Links Trust.

 

[need_my_wedge]

Assist not control.

There are a number of bodies involved in assisting the Links Trust.

It’s a tough balance methinks. Keeping enough times for the 1000’s of local ticket holders vs visitor times for the 100’s of 1000’s of visitors hoping to play their dream course. The visitor fees help keep the local ticket price low, if you drop the visitor fees you’ll need to increase the local fees to make up the shortfall. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, but it can’t be easy trying to please everyone.

 

[rystaman]

It's quite obscene what they are charging for the OC etc these days. No need for it all given the percentage (and price) of tee times that are sold as green fees.

Supply and demand isn't a valid defence, they've been balloting out excess demand for years.

Their justification somehow was even worse. They basically said the pass was becoming less value for money because the courses were so busy, and that, with time slots before 10am now blocked off for yearly ticket holders it would be apparently be “disingenuous” to keep selling an unlimited golf pass.

 

[rystaman]

It’s a tough balance methinks. Keeping enough times for the 1000’s of local ticket holders vs visitor times for the 100’s of 1000’s of visitors hoping to play their dream course. The visitor fees help keep the local ticket price low, if you drop the visitor fees you’ll need to increase the local fees to make up the shortfall. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, but it can’t be easy trying to please everyone.

I completely get that, but when it's massively outpacing inflation, the excuse doesn't really hold weight when you look back through the years.

 

[IanMcC]

Yup. Leave it be. Go to East Lothian instead. better value and definitely better courses.