St Andrews Links Ticket Questions

[johnsomp]

I am heading to St Andrews for the first time next May for my 40th and my father's 70th (although we were supposed to go back in 2020 and 2021, so we are bit older now).  We have an itinerary that puts us in St Andrews (Kinburn House) for 6 days including the day we arrive. Excluding courses outside the city, we have several full days of golf available, and I am keen on the 3-day ticket.  However, I have a few questions I was hoping the group could help with:

 

1) I love the idea of being able to play more than 18, but less than 36 each day, due to my father's age.  He still plays 5 days a week, walking with his SM 2.5, but we are planning only a few 36 hole days.  Ideally, we would play 27 each day, but looking at a map of the Links Trust courses, with most being out and back courses, it seems like it is generally difficult to play only 9 holes (or something less than 18). Is it frowned upon to wait for an opening and ask to cut in front of groups, or ask to join?  For example, on the Jub, play 1-4 and then 15-18.  We would be respectful, but don't want to break any unwritten or written rules.  (Eden seems like the exception to this question as we could play 9 and be close to the 18th green.)

 

2) How far in advance can you book tee times with the 3-day ticket?  The Links Trust site is informative, but vague.  I emailed and they basically quoted the site back to me.

 

3) I know this is a personal question, but would you rather have the 3-day ticket for unlimited golf (with no tee time at Panmure), or just three tee times at Jub, Eden, and Panmure (and no 3-day ticket)?

 

 

[milesgiles]

i recommend the 3 day ticket they will book times in advance for you may need to ring them. Dont know what Panmure has to do with it??

 

Apart from the castle they are easy walking courses I wouldnt mess about just do 36 on non consecutive days using buggy/trolley. or caddies. Just book a course a day and play it by ear for weather/tiredness

[johnsomp]

11 minutes ago, milesgiles said:

Dont know what Panmure has to do with it??

 

Panmure is on the expensive side of things, around 145.  If we do that, we don't have the budget for the 3 day links pass.

[hammergolf]

4 hours ago, johnsomp said:

I am heading to St Andrews for the first time next May for my 40th and my father's 70th (although we were supposed to go back in 2020 and 2021, so we are bit older now).  We have an itinerary that puts us in St Andrews (Kinburn House) for 6 days including the day we arrive. Excluding courses outside the city, we have several full days of golf available, and I am keen on the 3-day ticket.  However, I have a few questions I was hoping the group could help with:

 

1) I love the idea of being able to play more than 18, but less than 36 each day, due to my father's age.  He still plays 5 days a week, walking with his SM 2.5, but we are planning only a few 36 hole days.  Ideally, we would play 27 each day, but looking at a map of the Links Trust courses, with most being out and back courses, it seems like it is generally difficult to play only 9 holes (or something less than 18). Is it frowned upon to wait for an opening and ask to cut in front of groups, or ask to join?  For example, on the Jub, play 1-4 and then 15-18.  We would be respectful, but don't want to break any unwritten or written rules.  (Eden seems like the exception to this question as we could play 9 and be close to the 18th green.)

 

2) How far in advance can you book tee times with the 3-day ticket?  The Links Trust site is informative, but vague.  I emailed and they basically quoted the site back to me.

 

3) I know this is a personal question, but would you rather have the 3-day ticket for unlimited golf (with no tee time at Panmure), or just three tee times at Jub, Eden, and Panmure (and no 3-day ticket)?

 

 

Would def do the 3day ticket. You get one reserved time per day, then you can play wherever they have availability later. I would email and ask, but I would think they would frown upon skipping around the course since it will probably be very crowded. 

[milesgiles]

9 hours ago, johnsomp said:

 

Panmure is on the expensive side of things, around 145.  If we do that, we don't have the budget for the 3 day links pass.

 

the st andrews ticket is the only 'deal' you will now get in the entire area. I think they keep the price reasonable because they know its a bad look for the home of golf otherwise.

 

See my comments elsewhere on the cost of the top courses in Scotland. Doubled in less than five years, and many are empty.

[philsRHman]

The 3 day is a great deal especially if you’re going to play more than 18. The reservations open the day before so call right at 9 for front of the queue. New Course is first come first served daily but they’re very cool with booking and then switching to the New if that works out. When i was there it was cheaper to pay for Eden than use a day of my pass, but I could only play 18, not 36 those days. I’d aim for 18 on the Joob, New and Castle (watch the weather and get Castle on a calm day). Then fill in afternoons on Eden (easy to quit after 9), Joob (quite easy walk, and wouldn’t be a killer to walk in if you get tired) or New if the times work. I never saw it empty enough to skip around and keep in mind locals play in 3ish hours so even as a 2 you would need perfect luck and timing to cut in. 

[Hawkeye77]

On 11/3/2021 at 7:04 PM, johnsomp said:

 

1) I love the idea of being able to play more than 18, but less than 36 each day, due to my father's age.  He still plays 5 days a week, walking with his SM 2.5, but we are planning only a few 36 hole days.  Ideally, we would play 27 each day, but looking at a map of the Links Trust courses, with most being out and back courses, it seems like it is generally difficult to play only 9 holes (or something less than 18). Is it frowned upon to wait for an opening and ask to cut in front of groups, or ask to join?  For example, on the Jub, play 1-4 and then 15-18.  We would be respectful, but don't want to break any unwritten or written rules.  (Eden seems like the exception to this question as we could play 9 and be close to the 18th green.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

You never know until you ask, but no idea why you would think they would let you go play 4 holes and then just jump over - I'm sure the starter would have something polite but clever to say about it, especially just so you can find a way to play 27 instead of 18 just as a matter of convenience.  Our family, for example, is about as easy going as it gets when it comes to golf, but if someone came bopping over trying to cut in or asking to join and interrupt our round on our bucket list trip to Scotland for that reason, probably wouldn't be too happy.  So not seeing either people on once in a lifetime trips or locals finding that to be something to be encouraged.  

 

If you can just play 18 you play 18, that's the concession you may have to make, that's a nice day of golf and plenty to do and see in the St. Andrews area away from the golf course.  Make the most of it.