I’ve been a golfer for over 20+ years. On every golfer's bucket list are to play St Andrews Old Course, Pebble Beach Golf Links, and Augusta National Golf Club. Of course, there are plenty more courses to tackle, but these are the main three. To play at St Andrews Old Course, you must book a tee time through authorized providers of Guaranteed Old Course tee times. What is an Authorized Provider? An “Authorized Provider” is a designation awarded to a select group of companies by the St Andrews Trust. Being awarded this designation means that the authorized provider is trusted to provide quality, reliability, and service. This is the only way to guarantee a tee time at St Andrews Old Course, and golfers who book through an authorized provider will have an authentic experience; otherwise, you can try entering a lottery and roll the dice.
How do you find an "authorized provider" for the Old Course at St Andrews?
Work with a travel advisor and they will ensure that an authorized provider will be assisting you in getting a tee time.
What to Expect When Playing Golf at St Andrews Old Course
1. Authorized providers will typically have a 5 day minimum stay/spend. The town of St Andrews want to encourage golfers and vacationers alike to spend time in the town of St Andrews, supporting local businesses. There are additional things to do besides golf.
2. Unlike in the US, on Sundays, St Andrews Old Course turns into a public park. You won’t be able to play the Old Course on Sunday, but you can walk the 3-mile course and say hi to all the dogs.
3. Tee times need to be carefully planned and availability may be limited due to demand and if there is a tournament. You may not be able to get the tee time on a specific date, so you may need to be flexible with your travel dates. The Old Course at St Andrews is just as advertised as what you see on TV, a bucket list experience. You will see Swilcan Bridge, and it will be as flat as you imagine it.
The Old Course vs The New Course
When you say you are playing St Andrews, people might now know there is also the New Course. The Old Course is where the Open is played. The New Course is not as quirky as The Old Course. It's less tricky. It is considered an easier course. Perhaps, you may want to play The New Course first and move to The Old Course.
What Other Golf Courses Are There in Scotland?
There are plenty of other legendary golf courses in Scotland beside the Old Course. Other golf courses to consider are Royal Dornoch, Muirfield, North Berwick (West), Carnoustie (Championship), Cruden Bay, Prestwick, and Ardfin, to name a few. How About Improving Your Golf Skills at St Andrews Academy?
You may want to consider arriving a few days earlier and attending the St Andrews Golf Academy
Staffed with PGA professionals and state-of-the-art technology, why not improve your game before playing a round of golf at the Old Course St Andrews? The academy offers golfers from around the world of all ages and abilities a chance to hone their skills.
How Should I Plan for Playing Golf at St Andrews Old Course?
You will be there for a minimum of five days. The first day, you will be jet-lagged, enjoy the surroundings of St Andrews, and rest up. If you arrive on a Sunday, you can take advantage of the public park access and walk the course. Day 2 is probably when you want to schedule your tee time. Day 3, tune up your game in the morning at the St Andrews Golf Academy, take in the town, perhaps see some sights like the St Andrews Castle, St Andrews Museum, or go on a food tour. Day 4, hit the links again, perhaps at another famous Scotland course. If you shot horribly at The Old Course, you may feel better by playing The New Course. Day 5, you can try to fit in another round of golf before catching that late-night flight back.
If you are ready to cross St Andrews off your golf bucket list, email or schedule a discovery call to you plan your trip. If you are looking to play other bucket list course, let me know.
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