St Andrews Old Course - Single Golfer

[3puttmaster]

Morning all,

Through work I will have to be visiting St Andrews and the surrounding area on and off for the next year or so for a week at a time. I shall be driving and hence the 'bats' will always be in the boot of the car.

Just wondering if any of you good folk have any experience of going up to the starter at the Old Course and seeing if you can join in with other golfers? I will be making sure I play the New Course and others such as Leven Links etc but have never had experience of trying to get on the Old Course via the starter on the day.

Any top tips or best times to attempt this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks :thup:

 

[patricks148]

Morning all,

Through work I will have to be visiting St Andrews and the surrounding area on and off for the next year or so for a week at a time. I shall be driving and hence the 'bats' will always be in the boot of the car.

Just wondering if any of you good folk have any experience of going up to the starter at the Old Course and seeing if you can join in with other golfers? I will be making sure I play the New Course and others such as Leven Links etc but have never had experience of trying to get on the Old Course via the starter on the day.

Any top tips or best times to attempt this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks :thup:

Not 100%, but someone will be along to confirm later, but i think you have to turn up at the crack of dawn to the starter to see about getting on as a single.

I would also play the Jubilee as well. theres also a few other nice courses in the area, juts over the bridge the other side of Dundee, like Monifieth, Montrose well worth a game

 

[pbrown7582]

you can enter the ballot 48 hours before or turn up at daft o clock and join the queue obviously dependant on weather and time of year the time needed to be in the queue varies.

 

[Paul_Stewart]

Just get there at 4am and enjoy the wait - the atmosphere amongst all the other people waiting is usually great as you're all there for the same reason. Have your bats and your handicap certificate with you. The starter will arrive around 6am and take the list of people waiting for spare slots. Then you just wait for your name to be called. It's worth it in the end. I've done it a few times and got out as quickly as 6.40am, 8.20am with the longest I've had to wait was 11.10am.

 

[Duckster]

you can enter the ballot 48 hours before or turn up at daft o clock and join the queue obviously dependant on weather and time of year the time needed to be in the queue varies.

Isn't the ballot 2 person minimum?

 

[Jimaroid]

It's hard to predict as a single and depends mostly on foreign tourist numbers and the day's weather forecast. You just have to give it a go. Sometimes I've walked up at 7am and found myself first in the queue and I've been slotted in and teeing off by 7:30. Other times I've turned up at 5am and found myself 20th in the queue. For perspective, on Monday just gone and the last week of the course being open ahead of The Open, people were queuing from 2am to play. So I think that gives you an idea of best and worst cases.

Of course, if you wanted to go into the ballot or play any of the other courses and just need a partner I'd be happy to play depending on my workload. Feel free to get in touch.

 

[3puttmaster]

It's hard to predict as a single and depends mostly on foreign tourist numbers and the day's weather forecast. You just have to give it a go. Sometimes I've walked up at 7am and found myself first in the queue and I've been slotted in and teeing off by 7:30. Other times I've turned up at 5am and found myself 20th in the queue. For perspective, on Monday just gone and the last week of the course being open ahead of The Open, people were queuing from 2am to play. So I think that gives you an idea of best and worst cases.

Of course, if you wanted to go into the ballot or play any of the other courses and just need a partner I'd be happy to play depending on my workload. Feel free to get in touch.

Brilliant advice Jim......many thanks.

I might just take you up on your kind offer. When I know exactly when work needs me up there I'll get things rolling. Thanks again :lol:

 

[Jimaroid]

You're welcome, look forward to it.

Forgot to mention that past the end of October, everything plays off mats which is a bit rubbish but does mean it's easier to get on.

 

[3puttmaster]

You're welcome, look forward to it.

Forgot to mention that past the end of October, everything plays off mats which is a bit rubbish but does mean it's easier to get on.

I had heard about the 'mats' side of things & would probably want to play the Old Course without them if I'm honest. I've only played there once and we finished literally in the pitch black with no chance for the usual photos on the Swilcan Bridge etc and a walk up the 18th to remember. Having to use the light on my mobile phone to putt out was slightly strange to say the least so I would want to put that right if I can. :blah: