St Andrews Discontinues 3-Day Unlimited Pass

[stymied]

Supply and demand are for sure what this is about. There were no new links tickets issued this year. They are looking at various different ticket options.

All that being said the following does show they are thinking about accessibility which is really hard to do (what's to stop the richest person in Scotland from booking a discounted time). Honestly not sure they should be thinking about accessibility on the old course.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8dg022g05po

 

[cliveb]

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.

Could they not add a 245% "tariff" to visiting American players to help with this?

 

[Doon frae Troon]

And free ale!

Free Beer Tomorrow.
Always a good advertising strategy as tomorrow never comes.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

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.

Is there much difference between what St Andrews charge and fees for other Open Championship venues throughout the UK

 

[KenL]

Is there much difference between what St Andrews charge and fees for other Open Championship venues throughout the UK

No, but The Old Course used to be cheaper than the others. Apart from Turnberry I’m not so sure it is now.

 

[IanM]

Is there much difference between what St Andrews charge and fees for other Open Championship venues throughout the UK

Yes. The ownership model.
(If you see what I mean)

 

[KenL]

Yes. The ownership model.
(If you see what I mean)

I think Carnoustie has a similar ownership model to St. Andrews.

 

[rystaman]

Supply and demand are for sure what this is about. There were no new links tickets issued this year. They are looking at various different ticket options.

All that being said the following does show they are thinking about accessibility which is really hard to do (what's to stop the richest person in Scotland from booking a discounted time). Honestly not sure they should be thinking about accessibility on the old course.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8dg022g05po

Oof, so if you'd moved up to St Andrews with that in mind, as I'm sure a lot of us dream of, you'd be fuming.

 

[3offTheTee]

Oof, so if you'd moved up to St Andrews with that in mind, as I'm sure a lot of us dream of, you'd be fuming.

Have you considered Opens on the way, in Fife, or on your return.

Golf Empire is your place.

Also if anybody on here plays regularly in Opens become a Premium Member for around £11. In addition to the courses available there are some tremendous options for different areas plus when new Opens become available. It’s is one/The Best app for Opens. Happy golf is OK which is free but does not compare

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Yes. The ownership model.
(If you see what I mean)

Perhaps I should have simplified it by saying difference in cost. [OOPS I did]

I believe that most Open Courses are pretty similar, perhaps Turnberry is more expensive and Carnoustie cheaper.
Seems strange to me why folk always seem to single out St Andrews.

 

[IanM]

It's in the box above , since we've descended into sarcasm.

Might be a personal view, but St Andrews is as much a national monument, as it is a golf course. It isn't a purely commercial operation, and therefore the extent to which many ordinary golfers are priced out , doesn't sit well with me. Yep, they need to make a profit, but their operating model is not geared to maximising shareholder dividends.

Can't do much about commercial operations like Kingsbarns etc, they'll charge what the market will carry.

Just a personal view as I said, you can disagree, no matter.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

It's in the box above , since we've descended into sarcasm.

Might be a personal view, but St Andrews is as much a national monument, as it is a golf course. It isn't a purely commercial operation, and therefore the extent to which many ordinary golfers are priced out , doesn't sit well with me. Yep, they need to make a profit, but their operating model is not geared to maximising shareholder dividends.

Can't do much about commercial operations like Kingsbarns etc, they'll charge what the market will carry.

Just a personal view as I said, you can disagree, no matter.

I disagree
In my opinion TOC it is one of the poorest courses on the circuit.
Over hyped in the extreme.
Not the home of golf and Johnny come lately to starting virtually everything associated with the history of golf.

In the 1950/60's it was in very poor condition when run by the local council.
Improved a lot with the introduction of the Links Trust

 

[KenL]

I disagree
In my opinion TOC it is one of the poorest courses on the circuit.
Over hyped in the extreme.
Not the home of golf and Johnny come lately to starting virtually everything associated with the history of golf.

In the 1950/60's it was in very poor condition when run by the local council.
Improved a lot with the introduction of the Links Trust

Ignore Doon. The Old Course is the best experience in golf. I treasure the memory of the time I spent there.

 

[PJ87]

Have to admit this kind of rubbish puts me off going. Was planning a trip for Mine and My mates 40th next summer (as he 40 before me) but I know he can't afford it as it was .. now with this rubbish just makes it too much

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Ignore Doon. The Old Course is the best experience in golf. I treasure the memory of the time I spend there.

It’s better than any experience I have ever had on a golf course

Even the walk through town and turning the corner

We are very lucky that we get the chance to not just walk in the footsteps of the greats but also play the same course as them

There is no other experience that can match it for me

Love the course and love the experience

 

[IanM]

Ignore Doon. The Old Course is the best experience in golf. I treasure the memory of the time I spend there.

I'm still in shock at his Torylike acceptance of profiteering and exclusion of the lower classes!

I've always enjoyed my trips to Jonny Come Lately Country Club.

Although Prestwick was up there.

 

[KenL]

I'm still in shock at his Torylike acceptance of profiteering and exclusion of the lower classes!

I've always enjoyed my trips to Jonny Come Lately Country Club.

Although Prestwick was up there.

Never played Prestwick. Are there a lot of blind shots. Not a big fan of that but would like to give it a go. If they’ll have me.

 

[IanM]

A few old school quirky holes that wouldn't be build now Blind holes are only blind once!

Wonderful atmosphere, lovely place to play golf.

 

[pendodave]

Have to admit this kind of rubbish puts me off going. Was planning a trip for Mine and My mates 40th next summer (as he 40 before me) but I know he can't afford it as it was .. now with this rubbish just makes it too much

I definitely don't want to go back, especially now that's it's turned itself into an American tourist attraction, but I reckon if you sent on an early spring weekend before peak tourist season you'd really enjoy it. Play the Eden and the ladies putting club to get a view of the hordes on the OC, and walk it in the Sunday evening when nobody's about to get the ambience in the best light and see each hole.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Prestwick is like TOC and North Berwick
They contain about 6 really good holes, 6 OK ish holes and 6 totally daft holes. IMVHO