St Andrews Old Course guide
Play the St Andrews Old Course
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The different ways
There are 4 ways of securing an Old Course tee time.
From a practical perspective, they can be grouped into two routes. You can take your chances via three lotteries, or pay a premium to guarantee a tee time.
Or
Purchase a guaranteed tee time
About 15% of golfers play the Old Course by purchasing guaranteed tee times. These are only available from golf tour operators designated as Authorised Providers. Kinfern can source guaranteed times when allocation allows.
How to choose
How to Choose an Option?
Cost
Most golfers do not want to pay the hefty premium for a guaranteed tee time ($2,500+ per golfer), so they try the lotteries, especially when the odds are decent. Others prefer to pay the premium to eliminate the risk of not playing The Old.
Availability
Guaranteed tee times sell out 1.5 to 2 years in advance. That route may mean putting the trip off longer. Two of the three lotteries are almost always possible. Entering all three requires having plans in place before September of the year prior to play.
Your priorities
The Old Course is the most sought-after round in Scotland, but many golfers return saying Kingsbarns, Carnoustie, Turnberry, Muirfield, Royal Dornoch, or Dumbarnie was their favourite. How important the Old Course is really depends on you.
Not sure which is right for you? We’ll help you choose the route that fits your dates, budget, and priorities.
Odds of success via each lottery
Success rates vary depending on the time of year and the lottery. Here are the historical averages.
View detailed odds →| Lottery | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual lottery | 22.50% | 17.70% | 17.50% |
| 48 hour lottery | 61% | 55% | 46% |
| Singles daily draw | Didn’t exist | 45% | Not released yet |
Percentages below are season averages used as a planning guide. Some months have much better odds than others. Further details, caveats, requirements, and monthly breakdowns sit inside each method.
In detail
The 4 ways of securing an Old Course tee time in detail
Annual Lottery
A golfer must submit an application to St Andrews petitioning for a tee time. The application can be for up to four golfers, so larger groups submit multiple applications. Tour operators cannot submit the application on your behalf. A random drawing determines who is successful.
Description
A golfer must submit an application to St Andrews petitioning for a tee time. The application can be for up to four golfers, so larger groups submit multiple applications. Tour operators cannot submit the application on your behalf. A random drawing determines who is successful.
When
Applications must be submitted by a designated date in September of the year prior to play, with results announced in late October. For example, applications for play in 2027 must be submitted by September 2026.
Requirements
- This is a two-course package, so you are required to play and pay for another St Andrews course (Castle, New, or Jubilee) if you receive an Old Course tee time
- You will also purchase a few other items such as food and beverage credit, merchandise credit, and range balls
Price copy
Roughly $575 in 2026 (assuming a GBP/USD exchange rate of 1.38). The full package, including the second course and credits, is roughly $950–$1,000.
Odds copy
Post-pandemic demand lowered success rates. For play in 2025, published averages sat around 17.5%, with April typically stronger and June much tighter. No tee times are made available through this process for September.
Pro tip
Once results are announced, many other courses are sold out. Book a trip well before September to secure other courses. If successful, we can usually rework an itinerary to slot in the Old Course.
Monthly odds
| Year | Overall | April | May | June | July | August | October |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 22.50% | 48.50% | 23.90% | 15.70% | 19.80% | 19.20% | 0% |
| 2024 | 17.70% | 40.00% | 16.70% | 9.80% | 14.30% | 0% | 0% |
| 2025 | 17.50% | 31.40% | 14.00% | 7.80% | 19.10% | 12.80% | 28.60% |
The 48 Hour Lottery
Roughly half of all tee times are allocated to the 48 Hour Lottery. This is a random drawing held two days before the day of play. Kinfern will enter your group for as many days as possible and manage rearranging other tee times and transport when an entry is successful. Thursdays and Saturdays typically offer more Ballot times.
Description
Roughly half of all tee times are allocated to the 48 Hour Lottery. This is a random drawing held two days before the day of play. Kinfern will enter your group for as many days as possible and manage rearranging other tee times and transport when an entry is successful. Thursdays and Saturdays typically offer more Ballot times.
When
Your entry is made two days before play and results are released that same day. If you are in St Andrews for six days, we will enter the Ballot six times provided the course is open. The course is closed on Sundays.
Requirements
- A group must have at least two golfers to enter
- Up to four golfers are allowed on one entry
- Groups larger than four require multiple entries, and play on different days is possible
Price copy
Roughly $475 in 2026 (assuming a GBP/USD exchange rate of 1.38).
Odds copy
Daily odds depend on month, day of the week, and weather. The chart figures assume entries across six different days. Do not expect to play the Old Course through the Ballot if you enter only once.
Pro tip
Arrange the trip so other courses can move if you are successful.
Monthly odds
| Year | April | May | June | July | August | September | October |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 95.99% | 70.69% | 47.61% | 51.86% | 60.48% | 62.50% | 51.00% |
| 2024 | 90.90% | 59.49% | 57.18% | 50.25% | 33.37% | 0.00% | 15.92% |
| 2025 | 63.74% | 58.07% | 31.88% | 48.85% | 30.77% | 45.87% | 26.67% |
The Last Minute Lottery
This lottery occurs the evening before play. Golfers enter as individuals by completing an online form on iPads at the Old Pavilion or the Links Clubhouse. The process is designed for single golfers, though pairings with others in a group are occasionally made by staff.
Description
This lottery occurs the evening before play. Golfers enter as individuals by completing an online form on iPads at the Old Pavilion or the Links Clubhouse. The process is designed for single golfers, though pairings with others in a group are occasionally made by staff.
When
Entry must be made in person the day before play between 9am and 5pm. Results are announced by 5:30pm that same day. If not immediately successful, you may be waitlisted and asked to show up the next morning.
Requirements
- Must be done in person the day before play
- Each entry is limited to one person, but everyone in the group can enter separately
Price copy
Roughly $475 in 2026 (assuming a GBP/USD exchange rate of 1.38).
Odds copy
You can enter as many days as you want. St Andrews has published that a substantial share of participating American golfers were successful in a recent season. Kinfern cannot keep complete client statistics because not all golfers report back.
Pro tip
Enter each day, but beware of the impact on other plans.
Guaranteed Tee Times
Only about 15% of rounds are played via guaranteed tee times. These generally sell out 1.5 to 2 years in advance and are expensive. The St Andrews Links Trust allocates times to designated Authorised Providers each year. Some times also come via accommodation providers in St Andrews.
Description
Only about 15% of rounds are played via guaranteed tee times. These generally sell out 1.5 to 2 years in advance and are expensive. The St Andrews Links Trust allocates times to designated Authorised Providers each year. Some times also come via accommodation providers in St Andrews.
When
Allocation size is typically confirmed in March of the year prior to play, with exact days and times the following June. Times are often reserved earlier based on expected allocation. There is a slight possibility that a trip may need to shift to match the tee time.
Requirements
- Each Old Course tee time is paired with Castle, New, or Jubilee
- Guaranteed times are typically sold to groups of four or more
- Times sourced from an accommodation provider usually require a stay of 4–5 nights at that property
Price copy
More than $2,500 in 2026 (includes a few extras).
Odds copy
These times generally sell out one to two years in advance. Only a small percentage of golfers who play the Old Course in any given year will do so on a guaranteed time, due to cost or because inventory is gone when they start planning.
Pro tip
Call us periodically to check availability so you do not miss out.
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