St Andrews — Old Course
The Home of Golf — a public links in the heart of St Andrews where the game was born, and where any golfer can win a tee time in the daily ballot.
St Andrews — Old Course in photos
Can I play St Andrews — Old Course?
Yes — the Old Course is public. Most visitor tee times are allocated by a daily ballot (lottery) or won in an advance application; the course is closed to golf on Sundays.
How to book: Enter the free daily ballot by 2pm two days before you want to play, apply for an advance tee time up to a year ahead, or book a guaranteed time through an authorised travel provider. Single golfers can also queue as a "single" to fill groups.
About St Andrews — Old Course
The Old Course is the most historic course in golf and, remarkably, one of the most accessible: it is public, and most visitor rounds are handed out by a free daily ballot. Its quirks are legendary — enormous shared double greens, hidden pot bunkers, the Swilcan Bridge and the fearsome Road Hole 17th. It has hosted The Open 29 times, more than any other venue. Winning a ballot spot and walking up the 18th into the grey stone town is one of golf’s great pilgrimages.
Signature hole
The par-4 17th "Road Hole", with its blind drive over the old railway sheds and a green guarded by the Road Hole bunker and a stone road — plus the 18th over the Swilcan Bridge into the town.
What makes it special
The birthplace of golf
Six centuries of history and 29 Open Championships on a course anyone can enter to play.
The daily ballot
A free lottery gives visitors a genuine shot at a tee time without paying a premium.
The Road Hole & Swilcan Bridge
The most famous closing stretch in the game.
Tournament pedigree
- The Open Championship (29 times — most recently 2022)
- Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
Need to know
Best time to play
May–September for the best weather and daylight; The Open returns to the Old Course periodically. Book the ballot day-to-day once you are in town.
Dress code
Smart golf attire; the links plays firm and fast — links footwear and layers for wind are wise.
Good to know
Caddies are highly recommended to read the blind lines and shared double greens. The course is walking-only. Closed Sundays (you can walk it then).
Watch the pros at St Andrews — Old Course
St Andrews — Old Course hosts professional golf — book tickets to see a tournament here, then add a hotel and flights for the trip.
Getting there
Nearest airports
Edinburgh (EDI) ~1 hr 30; Dundee for regional connections; Leuchars rail station ~10 min.
On arrival
St Andrews is on the Fife coast about 90 minutes north of Edinburgh. Drive or take the train to Leuchars, then a short taxi/bus into town; the Old Course sits right at the edge of St Andrews.
Stay near the course
The Old Course Hotel and the Rusacks overlook the links; the town of St Andrews has hotels, guest houses and B&Bs within walking distance of the 1st tee.
★★★★★ 5-starTap for live prices Rusacks St. Andrews
St. Andrews
★★★★★ 5-starTap for live prices Seaton House - Small Luxury Hotels of the World
St. Andrews
★★★★★ 5-starTap for live prices Seaton House
St. Andrews
A taste of the luxury stays near St Andrews — Old Course — tap any hotel to see live availability and prices for your dates, or search them all.
Plan your golf trip
Hotels near the course
Live-priced stays a short drive from the 1st tee.
Search hotelsFlights
Get to St Andrews — search fares to the nearest airport.
Find flightsTournament tickets
Rather watch the pros? Book golf tournament tickets.
See golf ticketsThings to do
Tours and experiences around St Andrews.
Explore St AndrewsFrequently asked questions
Can anyone play the Old Course at St Andrews?
Yes — it is a public course. Most visitor times come from a free daily ballot or advance applications, and single golfers can queue to join groups. A handicap certificate is required (28 men / 36 women).
How does the St Andrews ballot work?
Enter the free ballot by 2pm two days before you want to play; results are posted that afternoon. It is a lottery, so allow several days in town to improve your odds, or secure a guaranteed time via an advance application or authorised provider.
How much is a round on the Old Course?
Peak-season green fees are around £320, dropping sharply in winter (indicative — confirm on the official site). Caddies cost extra. Entering the ballot itself is free.
Is the Old Course really closed on Sundays?
Yes — traditionally no golf is played on the Old Course on Sundays, when locals and visitors are free to walk the links instead.
More golf courses to play
Carnoustie Golf Links — Championship Course
Carnoustie, Scotland · Links
Golf guide
Trump Turnberry — Ailsa Course
Turnberry, Scotland · Links
Golf guide
Royal Dornoch Golf Club (Championship Course)
Dornoch, Scotland · Links
Golf guide
North Berwick Golf Club (West Links)
North Berwick, Scotland · Links
Golf guide
Kingsbarns Golf Links
Kingsbarns, Scotland · Links
Golf guide
Cruden Bay Golf Club (Championship Course)
Cruden Bay, Scotland · Links
Golf guideSources & pricing note
Green fees, access rules and tee-time policies change frequently and vary by season. The figures here are indicative for trip planning — always confirm on the official site before booking.
Hero image: Gordon Hatton, CC BY-SA 2.0 — via Wikimedia Commons
Guide updated 2026-07-27.