How to get a Tee Time on the Old Course, St Andrews

Date Updated: January 14th, 2025

The Old Course at St. Andrews is more than just a golf course; it’s the very birthplace of the game. Steeped in centuries of history, it’s where golf as we know it began, and its iconic fairways have witnessed the evolution of the sport from its humble origins to the global phenomenon it is today. 

For most, playing the Old Course is the ultimate dream — a chance to walk in the footsteps of legends like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Arnold Palmer, all of whom have competed on its storied grounds.

The best part – anyone can tee off at the legendary course — but don’t be fooled into thinking booking a tee time is a simple process at all.

​​​​​​​However, there are many methods of securing a tee time on the Old Course, supported by our Premier Golf team based in St Andrews.

1. Authorized Provider of Guaranteed Tee Times

Premier Golf is one of the few companies globally appointed as an ‘Authorised Provider’ of Old Course tee times by the St Andrews Links Trust. However, due to the high demand and limited availability, these premium-priced tee times are typically sold 18 to 24 months in advance, and 2025 and 2026 is already fully booked. We are now only able to accept bookings for tee times in 2027.

While booking through an Authorised Provider guarantees a tee time for 2026, it is the most expensive option. Additionally, the St Andrews Links Trust requires that you include another course, such as the New, Jubilee, or Castle Course, as part of your reservation. Premier Golf recommends including these premium courses as part of a package for groups of seven or more days and four or more golfers.

You can find more information about our St Andrews packages here.

2. Direct Application (Swilcan Packages)

The Links Trust invites direct tee time applications for the Swilcan Package each September, ahead of the upcoming season. For those wishing to play the Old Course at St. Andrews in 2026, applications will be accepted in August 2025. Tee times are awarded via a lottery, with successful applicants notified in October. 

It is also worth noting that your chances increase if you apply across a wider range of dates. For instance, instead of picking one single day, consider applying across a 1-2 week span of availability for the best chances, and avoid the “busy dates” which are shown on the application website. Then, if successful, we’ll plan the rest of your trip around that tee time. 

The Swilcan package is the most cost-efficient way to play. The St Andrews Links Trust requires that another of their courses be added to the Old Course reservation. If not successful, then our office in St Andrews will manage the Ballot process for you.

We suggest signing up for the St Andrews News Letter for announcements in regards to the Direct Application.

3. The Ballot

Ballot Lottery:

• Those who book closer to travel dates or didn’t get a Direct Allocation or Authorized Provider tee time must use the Ballot lottery for a tee time on The Old Course.
• Best chance of success: Book at least four days in St Andrews, with Wednesday to Saturday being the best days to enter the ballot, 
• Ballot Allocation: roughly 50% of tee times on The Old Course are allocated through the ballot, so most visitors must rely on it.

• Applications are made in groups of 2 to 4. Larger groups will likely be split up, and you most likely will not play together.

Local Team Assistance:

• Our St Andrews team will manage the ballot process for you.
• We submit your entry in the ballot two days in advance, such as Wednesday morning for a Friday tee time. Results are announced at 4:30 pm on Wednesday.
• If unsuccessful, we will continue submitting your entry daily until hopefully you are successful, and our team will keep you updated.

Do not submit your own ballot application — duplicate entries will be automatically disqualified. Also, bribing the starter will result in disqualification (they’ve seen it all!).

We will try to adjust your golf schedule as needed to fit availability on The Old Course. For example, if you get a tee time on The Old Course, we will try to switch your round at Carnoustie or Kingsbarns to accommodate it.

4. The Singles Daily Draw

Single players can enter the draw between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm the day before they wish to play. Entries can be submitted at either the Old Pavilion, located next to the first tee, or at the Links Clubhouse. After entering, the starter will notify you via text or call if you’re successful in securing a tee time.

This new system, introduced in March 2024, replaced the previous overnight queue outside. Now, single players may have the opportunity to play if there are vacancies within groups of 2 or 3, or if there are no-shows. The process uses a random draw to allocate any available on-the-day tee times for single players on The Old Course.

For advice or further questions, your local Premier Golf staff will be happy to assist you with the process.

5. Advanced Reservations for Off-Season Play

During the winter months, demand is lower, and more tee times are available. Off-season rounds may require mats in the fairways to protect the turf, but the experience remains authentic and can be much less expensive.

Booking Tips

For the best chances of securing a tee time at St. Andrews, it’s advisable to book well in advance, ideally during the off-peak seasons, such as the spring season or during the winter months when demand is lower. Trying to get a guaranteed tee time with less than a year’s advance notice is just about impossible, unless we get a cancellation (don’t forget to ask!). 

Believe it or not, April usually has the least amount of rainfall in St Andrews, so consider a spring trip to maximize your chances with The Ballot or Singles Daily Draw. 

May usually has several tournaments so make sure that we discuss and avoid the “busy dates”. June has the St Andrews University graduation weeks so often hotels are limited and at a premium. July is usually busy but outside of The Open Championship every 5 years, is generally unobstructed, but Ballot chances are decreased with the sheer number of visitors.. August is also impacted as local clubs take more tee times so the visiting public has less access to the Old Course. 

Note that normally in the last three weeks of September, The Old Course is closed for the two-week R&A Autumn Meeting and week of The Dunhill Links Championship. Typically only the first week of September is available.

Alternative St Andrews Courses to Visit

St. Andrews is so popular that tee times on the Old Course can be hard to come by, especially during peak seasons. However, the town offers several excellent alternatives within the Links Trust portfolio, including the New Course, Jubilee Course, and Castle Course. Each course features the same rugged seaside terrain and prestigious atmosphere as the Old Course, with unique layouts and challenges. 

The New Course offers a classic links experience, the Jubilee Course is known for its tough greens, and the Eden Course provides a more relaxed but memorable round. These options allow golfers to enjoy St. Andrews’ iconic setting, even if the Old Course is unavailable.

New Course

The New Course, one of the oldest “new” courses in the world, offers a layout that’s just as challenging and rewarding, with similar links-style features. 

Jubilee Course

The Jubilee Course, known for its tough, undulating greens, is considered the most challenging course on the infamous Links.

Castle Course

Perched on the cliffs overlooking the town, the Castle Course offers a stunning, elevated experience with panoramic views of St. Andrews and the North Sea. Like the other courses, it features challenging links terrain, but with a more modern design.

Additional Options

Conclusion

We encourage all clients to plan early! Due to the current surge in demand for golf travel, the number of golfers wishing to play the Old Course will continue to exceed the availability of tee times for the foreseeable future.

Inquire now with Premier Golf to check the Old Course off your bucket list.

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