St. Andrews onlooker question

Hawkeye77 · August 13, 2017

My youngest daughter will not have a handicap established by the time we head to St. Andrews next year and isn't that excited about playing there. She is more excited about serving as photographer/videographer (and would be great at it) and wonders whether she may be allowed to just walk along and do that. I have no idea, checked the website - found no answer.

Anyone have any experience with this and under what conditions it is allowed, if allowed?

bobbydazzlewazzler · August 13, 2017

When I played there, there was about 10 people walking around with our 4 ball - i.e. Us, the the caddies plus some friends from the bed and breakfast came and watched for the last few holes. I can't imagine anyone would have a problem with your daughter snapping you, as long as you keep pace.

4Par · August 14, 2017

Won't be a problem at all....

raynorfan1 · August 14, 2017

The old course is much more of a free-for-all than most Americans can imagine. It's basically a public park with some golf holes laid out on it. As long as you stay out of the way of the golfers, nobody cares.

scott_Donald · August 14, 2017

its essentially a public park... I was down with some kids for a tournament down there and we left the kids to play and walked around the course and I got lots of pics of randoms...

we sat on the bench to the right side of 17 and got some great pics....

TerpFangolfer · August 14, 2017

Yeah, just to chime in - in both Ireland & Scotland, I've never had a problem with my gf walking along on any of the courses.

A nice change from US/other places...where it always seems to be an issue.

My son sounds about the same as your daughter - just picking up the game...we are planning to go to St A in 2018.

Plan to play with him on the Balgove course...and the Himalayas putting course

raynorfan1 · August 14, 2017

Yeah, just to chime in - in both Ireland & Scotland, I've never had a problem with my gf walking along on any of the courses.
A nice change from US/other places...where it always seems to be an issue.

My son sounds about the same as your daughter - just picking up the game...we are planning to go to St A in 2018.
Plan to play with him on the Balgove course...and the Himalayas putting course

Himalayas is a great point. OP should make an effort to get out there with his daughter. Honestly, it's my favorite 18 holes in St. Andrews.

Hawkeye77 · August 14, 2017

Didn't clarify, she can play and if she wasn't focused on college, etc. and had the opportunity to establish handicap she'd meet the standard - just no real time/opportunity last couple years or next 3. But I love the suggestions, thanks! She's not a "golfer" (see picture of oldest daughter in Webster's next to that term, she loves golf) but enjoys playing when she does, and really enjoys photography (like her dad!) and is looking forward to documenting The Old Course for us. I see 2/4 of us golfing rain, wind, shine, whatever and 2 just as happy to pass a few times, but we are planning as much non-golf stuff as we can work in and won't play at all on at least 2 days (36 on a couple others!).

Anyway, this is great news!

Cwing · August 14, 2017

Yes. Courses double as parks. We had people follow us the whole round. Pretty cool experience. Unless you go off early early, there will be plenty of people watching you tee off on #1 and coming into #18.

I am very happy with my 80 on that day.