Old Course 48-hour ballot in August?

clp34vmp · July 2, 2018

I'll be in St. Andrews in August for a couple of days, but unfortunately one of those is a Sunday, so I'll have a chance to walk the Old Course at least but no chance of playing it that day. That leaves me with Saturday, August 11th as my only shot at the OC, and I don't believe I'll be able to get there early enough to have a good shot through the queue. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to find someone who might want to go in with me for the 48-hour ballot for that specific date? I figure it's worth a shot; if I can't get on the Old Course though I'll happily play New or Jubilee and try to catch it on the next trip.

Mignuz · July 3, 2018

Try to call St. Andrews and ask if there's a chance to find a partner: +44 (0)1334 466666

Register yourself on the site and download the app.

Last time I tried the ballot it seemed like the app let you register alone for the ballot...but I didn't try as we were 3 players.

Anyway, depending on the weather, you could find a tee time even going there later.If you have to play another course, I suggest to play the jubilee. The new course is "flat" while the jubilee is way more interesting, IMHO.

Good luck.

dcmidnight · July 3, 2018

BTW make sure you check the busy dates for walking the course on Sundays. We are there the weekend before and its closed to walking on Sunday because of a member tournament.

critchtc21 · July 3, 2018

Will be there in August also. We were not successful in getting our tee time on the application. I have left Monday through Friday open to do the 48 hour ballot each of those five days. Actually have Castle Course and Kingsbarns scheduled two of those days but they said they could both move tee times if successful on ballot. What do you think our odds are of getting on in those 5 days? We have 8 people.

fredstar · July 3, 2018

What dates in August? Will be there as a single too

fredstar · July 3, 2018

Try to call St. Andrews and ask if there's a chance to find a partner: +44 (0)1334 466666
Register yourself on the site and download the app.

Last time I tried the ballot it seemed like the app let you register alone for the ballot...but I didn't try as we were 3 players.
Anyway, depending on the weather, you could find a tee time even going there later.If you have to play another course, I suggest to play the jubilee. The new course is "flat" while the jubilee is way more interesting, IMHO.
Good luck.

One of the first things it says when you go to enter ballot is "minimum of two and maximum of four golfers".

clp34vmp · July 3, 2018

What dates in August? Will be there as a single too

For me, August 11th and 12th

TerpFangolfer · July 10, 2018

BTW make sure you check the busy dates for walking the course on Sundays. We are there the weekend before and its closed to walking on Sunday because of a member tournament.

Yeah, maybe you were there the same weekend as us (June 24?) - I had promised all my travel companions that we would walk the course that Sunday (or at least part of it) - before playing New on Mon & Old on Tues.

So we pull in, park at the little parking lot near Jigger Inn - start to climb over the dune...the course comes into sight - and my jaw drops as I see 4 guys in the fairway on the Road Hole hitting approach shots. I'm like "what the hell"???

And yeah, I guess it was some R&A function? So we walked up 18 then back down the 1st and played Himalayas...but I was quite surprised.

MilkyButterCuts · July 10, 2018

I know it's been asked/answered several times but what is the best course to play if you can't get onto the old?

davep043 · July 10, 2018

I know it's been asked/answered several times but what is the best course to play if you can't get onto the old?

The New and Jubilee are both good strong golf courses, right in town. The Jubilee has a few dramatic dunes, unlike anything you'll see on the other two, but the rest of the conditions are similar to the Old, fairway firmness, green speed, etc. Kingsbarns is a short drive, great fair almost American-style course, but pretty expensive. There are other great fun courses within a half hour drive as well.

critchtc21 · July 10, 2018

Be in St Andrews from 11th-17th. Applying for 8 guys, 2 separate foursomes, 5 days in a row.

TerpFangolfer · July 13, 2018

I know it's been asked/answered several times but what is the best course to play if you can't get onto the old?
The New and Jubilee are both good strong golf courses, right in town. The Jubilee has a few dramatic dunes, unlike anything you'll see on the other two, but the rest of the conditions are similar to the Old, fairway firmness, green speed, etc. Kingsbarns is a short drive, great fair almost American-style course, but pretty expensive. There are other great fun courses within a half hour drive as well.

Yes, I played both New & Jubilee (sandwiched around my round at TOC) - enjoyed both...can't really say 1 is "better" than the other. Big difference was I played New in afternoon, wind up...and Jub we were the 1st group off the tee in the morning (07:30) - virtually no wind and we finished in 3 hrs - great!

Walter · July 16, 2018

BTW make sure you check the busy dates for walking the course on Sundays. We are there the weekend before and its closed to walking on Sunday because of a member tournament.

Yeah, maybe you were there the same weekend as us (June 24?) - I had promised all my travel companions that we would walk the course that Sunday (or at least part of it) - before playing New on Mon & Old on Tues.
So we pull in, park at the little parking lot near Jigger Inn - start to climb over the dune...the course comes into sight - and my jaw drops as I see 4 guys in the fairway on the Road Hole hitting approach shots. I'm like "what the hell"???

And yeah, I guess it was some R&A function? So we walked up 18 then back down the 1st and played Himalayas...but I was quite surprised.

Playing the Himalayas on Sunday when arriving is always a great idea!!!