3 or 7 day Links Ticket at St. Andrews

runningdog · May 1, 2018

So I'm headed to Scotland for a few weeks this summer and before I meet up with the family, I'm going to be on my own for six days. I fly into Glasgow on a Sunday and was planning on making my way immediately to St. Andrews. I've got a place to stay until Friday and I was planning on getting a 3 day ticket and then spending a fourth day trying to get on the Old Course and then heading down to Crail or one of the more budget-friendly courses on the coast. But this being my first trip to St. Andrews, I'm a little nervous about tee times at all the other courses at St. Andrews. Online it looks like all the open tee times are at the Strathtyrum and Eden courses. While I'm definitely game to play those two, I traveling there more to play the New, Jubilee, and Castle Courses. I talked to someone online at the Links Trust who said that tee times are open in the morning for walk-ups.

Does anyone know it that's indeed correct? Can I just head up there before breakfast and try to make a couple walk-on tee times at the courses (other than the old, of course). I know it's the high season and the place will be packed, but anyone have some first hand info on this?

Also, are there any tips for budget friendly courses on the way to St Andrews from Glasgow? I'll have just taken a red eye and don't feel like stressing over something where I might feel more obligated to play well.

Many thanks in advance.

troublelove · May 2, 2018

Yes, this is correct. As a single walk-on you will always get a slot unless the course is blocked out for a tournament.

It is a great way to play the old course if you didn't make the ballot. You will need to get there around 5am if you want to play the Old Course midweek.

Check the 'Busy Dates' page on the Links website to see what is going on when you will be there.

Stetson · May 2, 2018

Get the 3 day and if need be get another 3 day. It will cost the same and you will get 6’days instead of 7 but also gives you the flexibility of only doing a 3 day and saving some money shouldnyou have good luck with the Old Course

runningdog · May 4, 2018

Thanks to both of you for the advice. I'll be there nice and early to play the Old Course at least once and will be there a little later (6-7?) in order to get on the new / jubille /castle with the 3 day pass.

davep043 · May 4, 2018

Thanks to both of you for the advice. I'll be there nice and early to play the Old Course at least once and will be there a little later (6-7?) in order to get on the new / jubille /castle with the 3 day pass.

It looks like the 3-Day Ticket allows play on any 3 days within a 7-day span. If you get on the Old Course, that day won't count against your 3-day pass. In your shoes, when you arrive from Glasgow on the Sunday, I'd go to the Links Clubhouse (the New and Jubilee Courses run from this clubhouse) and sort out your 3-day ticket. You can then check into how heavily booked the New and Jubilee Courses are for the next few days, probably the Castle too. Then each morning show up really early (I've read suggestions as earl as 4 AM in other threads) at the Old Course starter and see if you can get on. If it seems unlikely, you can always walk down to the Links Clubhouse and see what you can get there. Getting to the Castle Course will require a taxi or a rental car, the shuttle doesn't go there.

The Old Course isn't played on Sundays, barring tournaments, so your arrival day might be a nice time to yake a walk around and see it without the burden of trying to play golf. You can also play on your arrival day, but I've done that once (fly all night, drive to town, have lunch, walk around the town, and then play the New) and was exhausted by about the 12th hole. That wouldn't be a problem, except that the 12th on the New Course is about 2 miles from town.

Schley · May 8, 2018

Are you sure the shuttle doesn't go to the Castle? When we played in 2013 I know we were picked up in the black van as I recall and dropped by the R&A clubhouse there.

davep043 · May 8, 2018

Are you sure the shuttle doesn't go to the Castle? When we played in 2013 I know we were picked up in the black van as I recall and dropped by the R&A clubhouse there.

I'm just basing that on the St Andrews webpage

https://www.standrews.com/play/before-your-round/shuttle-bus

which doesn't show any service to the Castle Course. Of course, I could be wrong.