How To Play The Old Course With No Tee Time

[TheDailyDuffer]

There have been threads in the past, but a few people were asking about it so i wanted to provide an updated version.

 

Note: The Old Course is closed on Sundays. You can walk the entire course but you cannot play it.

 

 

Step 1-If you are unfamiliar with St Andrews as well as The Old Course its best to arrive a day early and get the Lay of the land. If you are driving you can park your car in either the parking lot across the street from The Old Course that services for GBP 5.40 (all day), or park in the parking lot by the clubhouse and the starter shacks for the New and Jubilee courses for free.

 

Step 2-Get your name on the list of available singles by arriving at The Old Course Pavilion (Note: Do not line up at the starter shack go to the building marked as The Old Course Pavillon) as early as possible. During peak season people will be arriving to wait in line from even before Midnight. What time you arrive is up to you, but I'd bet that if you arrive at 3:30 am you're a 90% of getting on, and if you arrive at 5am you still have a really solid chance. The line at the pavilion will vary day to day, if its your first time playing and its a can't miss go as early as you're willing to go. The lines will also vary from day to do in how they are formed. Sometimes people will actually be waiting in a line, others people will just be standing around in a circle talking. Take note of who is there when you arrived, and what number in line you are. The Pavilion opens at 6am sharp. Get in line and put your name down. Note: You will require a handicap card or some form of proof of your handicap in order to get your name down.

 

Note: It will be cold in the summer so dress warm. There are no benches or chairs at the Pavilion so if you want to sit down its not a bad idea to bring something to sit on (sometimes people show up with chairs and sleeping bags). Its also not a bad idea to bring some some food and a drink if you're planning on getting there early. You can get breakfast in the Pavilion once it opens up as well.

 

Note: The Pavilion has free wifi so if you want to surf the web or listen to pandora feel free to bring a device.

 

Note: Unless you're showing up very early, and are intent on getting out as early as possible it isn't necessary to dress in golf clothes/shoes, and to bring your clubs to the Pavilion right away. Although it is recomended. Ive seen people skipped over to play, because they weren't ready to go out. If you're showing up at 5:30am in September you can take your time, as there will be plenty of people in front of you.

 

Step 3-After your name is on the list its your job to make sure you are around when a spot opens up. Change into your golf clothes and have your bag ready to go. Once you get the go ahead from the starter there will only be a few minutes to get to the First tee and pay your green fee, so be ready. Hang out around the Pavilion ready to go, and continue to check back in with the list keeper from time to time. He can offer you some additional advice as well. Once he tells you that you are ready to go, grab your bag and make your way to the Starter shack by the first tee to pay your green fee. Once you've paid meet up your company for the day and have a good time.

 

Note: If your name is next on the list and you either don't want to go out yet, or are not at the Pavilion you will be skipped over, however you will keep your spot on the list. I've seen people show up early to put their name down, then run off to play another course and come back at around noon and get out on the Old.

 

Its public record of how many spots for singles will be available that day (you can check in with the Pavilion the day before, or view this online). The amount of available spots for singles isn't set in stone. Although it seems crazy sometimes people cancel their tee times, or just can't make it. Additional tee times are also reserved for the R&A as well as the locals who both are much more likely to cancel a tee time. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't, but it isn't all that uncommon.

 

If you are not a single and you want to play the Old Course using this method, but get paired up together you should probably arrive earlier in the morning. Also check to see how many open spots there are for however many people in your group the day before. In addition become friendly with the people in line ahead of you, as they may be willing to go out a little bit later if there is a open spot for you two of you earlier in the morning. Its not the norm, but i saw a group of four Japanese people show up at 5:30 am and get out as a foursome before noon.

 

Good luck out there