Coming to St. Andrews in May, need Old Course help

Hello,

I'll be in St. Andrews on May 16th , 2017 and I'd like to play the old course if possible. Im a single and would require hire of clubs, shoes, and caddie. Can anyone suggest on how to get on the Old Course? Is there a local that can book a 48 hr advance tee time since I can't due to being a single? Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you

Too bad you weren't going a week later. I would have gone into the ballot with you, but I'm not there until the 21st.

The 22-25th is when I am there if anyone is interested. I do not have a time either.

I'm not there until 6/2

Instead of telling you when I will be there I'll give you some actual advice although there is not a ton of options.

1: If you are staying in a hotel ask the concierge if there are any other singles looking to book and they can enter you on the ballot together.

2: Wake up early and get in the queue.

3: The play with a pro package is pricey but would get you out

https://www.standrew...he_professional

You still have to go thru the ballot process to get on the old course.

The time necessary to get on The Old Course without getting a time on the ballot is getting earlier and earlier. Last summer my dad and I didn't get drawn so we went down to get in line to try to get out. We got there at 2:30am and there were 6 people ahead of us. Plan on getting there after a few drinks at midnight at the Dunvegan. Make sure you go to the Player Pavillion to get in line or else it will all be for nothing.

The time necessary to get on The Old Course without getting a time on the ballot is getting earlier and earlier. Last summer my dad and I didn't get drawn so we went down to get in line to try to get out. We got there at 2:30am and there were 6 people ahead of us. Plan on getting there after a few drinks at midnight at the Dunvegan. Make sure you go to the Player Pavillion to get in line or else it will all be for nothing.

End of May I was #5 at 2:15. The first guy had been there about 15 minutes. Watch the ballot result when it gets posted. Look to see how many spots are there in "OB" times. Those are open ballots. They have to take singles. The local ballot and lottery times get the option of whether you join or not. Here's how things played out for us:

#1-got on at 6:30 am, first tee time out.

#2-got on 6:50 am. third group out. Both open ballots, but they also wanted early.

#3&4 were a couple together, so they got a time in the afternoon.

#5-me, I was offered "10:10 guaranteed, or try for earlier but no promises(group could refuse a joiner). I took 10:10.

#6 & #7 were two buddies who were staying at the same hotel as we were, so I saw them at breakfast. They got something like 2:40.

I'm not sure there guarantees ended, but #15 was also in our hotel, and he was left with "come back between 8 and 9 and we'll see if someone will let you join in."

Being May. I'm assuming this is a much different story than July would be....but that gives you some reference.