The Old Course at St Andrews is a public course, but demand far outstrips the tee times available. There are several ways to play it. Only some of them give you a guaranteed time before you travel.
The short answer: if your trip depends on the Old Course, book a package with an Authorised Provider. If you are flexible, enter the ballot and have a plan for the days you miss out.
Ways to get a tee time
| Route | Guaranteed? | Best for | How it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authorised Provider package | Yes | Fixed dates and groups, April to October | A tour operator or local accommodation provider includes the tee time in a package |
| Swilcan Package | Yes | Groups booking direct with St Andrews Links | An Old Course time plus one other course. The 2027 application window has closed |
| The ballot | No | Flexible groups of 2 to 4 golfers | Drawn 48 hours before play. Enter before 2pm, two days before |
| Singles Daily Draw | No | Single golfers | Enter from 9am to 5pm the day before, in person at a clubhouse |
St Andrews Links also runs a Winter Package. Applications for 2026/27 have closed. See the official ways to book for the latest.
What “guaranteed” really means
St Andrews Links says a number of Authorised Providers, both golf tour operators and local accommodation providers, offer packages that include guaranteed Old Course tee times through the high season, April to October. You pay for a package, so the price covers more than the green fee.
St Andrews Links says you can recognise an Authorised Provider by the official logo on its website and social media. We could not find a public list on its site, so look for the logo and ask the operator to confirm its status for your dates.
SIGTOA members and the Old Course
These members state on their SIGTOA profiles that they are Authorised Providers or offer guaranteed Old Course tee times. This is what each says about itself, last checked in November 2026:
- Drumgolf: authorised provider of guaranteed Old Course tee time packages
- Executive Golf and Leisure: Authorised Provider of Old Course golf tour packages
- GHW Golf Tours: Official Authorised Providers of Old Course tee times
- Golf Scotland: offers guaranteed tee times
- McLaren Travel Concierge: St Andrews Authorised Provider of tee times
- Outpost Overseas: Authorised Provider of tee times at the Old Course
- Platinum Golf Scotland: St Andrews Links Trust Authorised Provider
Other members may offer the same, so it is worth asking. SIGTOA is a trade association. It is not part of St Andrews Links and does not sell tee times itself.
When to play and what it costs
Adult Old Course green fees in 2027 are £265 from 1 to 18 April, £380 from 19 April to 17 October, and £265 from 18 to 31 October. The 2026/27 low season fee is £180 from November to March, with fairway mats in use.
The course is also closed or has no ballot on some dates, including maintenance days and tournaments, so check busy dates before you commit. Handicap rules are on the St Andrews Links site, and it is worth checking them before you book.
The Open in July 2027
The 155th Open is at the Old Course from 11 to 18 July 2027. St Andrews Links warns of disruption and closures across its courses in the run-up. See our guide to planning a trip around The Open.
The eight St Andrews Links courses
A trip here is more than one round. Fees below are the adult high season rates for 2027 unless shown.
| Course | Established | Yards | Par | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Course | c. 1400 | 6,670 | 72 | £380 |
| New Course | 1895 | 6,517 | 71 | £165 |
| Jubilee Course | 1897 | 6,614 | 72 | £165 |
| Eden Course | 1914 | 6,140 | 70 | £85 |
| Strathtyrum Course | 1993 | 5,628 | 69 | £65 |
| Balgove Course | 1993 | 1,492 | 30 | £15 (2026) |
| Castle Course | 2008 | 6,749 | 71 | £205 |
| Craigtoun Course | 1995 | 6,868 | 71 | £165 |
Source: St Andrews Links, November 2026. Nearby in Fife you can also play Kingsbarns, Crail and Dumbarnie.
Plan your trip
Tell us your dates and group size. If the Old Course is essential, say so and we can put you in touch with a member who can help.