St Andrews - Working Around TOC Ballot

[scooterhd2]

I've been fortunate enough by an old boss of mine to be added into a group of 20 going to Scotland. They've got accommodations and several rounds prebooked through an agency that I've shown in black below. These are immovable.  I'm looking to add more golf on my own. The courses in red are what I am currently looking at, but I am open to suggestions. But my biggest question is, how does one remain flexible around The Old Course ballot? I'm putting in for Monday and Tuesday and if I dont get lucky, I'll hit the singles queue for the Tuesday round. But If I do get lucky and hit the ballot for Monday, am I able to cancel golf or postpone golf at other courses? Could I move my Monday rounds to Tuesday, or Friday afternoon on 48 hour notice? Are some courses more friendly to changing plans than others? Or is it just money lost if I prebook something and have to cancel? 

 

 

 

[hammergolf]

You need at least two people in your group to do the ballot. All of the courses around St. Andrews will be flexible with switching days if they have availability should you win the ballot. The best day to apply for the ballot is Thursday since over half the times on that day are saved for the ballot. 

[scooterhd2]

4 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

You need at least two people in your group to do the ballot. All of the courses around St. Andrews will be flexible with switching days if they have availability should you win the ballot. The best day to apply for the ballot is Thursday since over half the times on that day are saved for the ballot. 

 

Good to know. I have heard Thursdays and Saturdays have the best chances, but of course those are days where we have some light travel. And although I'd prefer to play TOC, I cant drop off Carnoustie or Kings Course as those are already paid on not on my dime. 

 

So I should book my Monday rounds right away to guarantee good times? You'd feel confident putting out $300+ for Dumbarnie on Monday, and if the ballot for TOC hits, I'd have a decent chance at moving it?

[hammergolf]

Check with Dumbarnie to confirm their policy for the TOC ballot. All of the St. Andrews Links courses are very flexible with the ballot. Carnoustie was flexible in the past, but I would confirm with them. What time of year are you going? Keep in mind during the summer it’s daylight until about 9:00pm. Carnoustie is only 45 mins from St. Andrews, so it’s not out of the question that you could squeeze them both in depending on the time of year. Gleneagles is a little further away. It can’t hurt to ask them if they have a ballot policy.

[scooterhd2]

43 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

Check with Dumbarnie to confirm their policy for the TOC ballot. All of the St. Andrews Links courses are very flexible with the ballot. Carnoustie was flexible in the past, but I would confirm with them. What time of year are you going? Keep in mind during the summer it’s daylight until about 9:00pm. Carnoustie is only 45 mins from St. Andrews, so it’s not out of the question that you could squeeze them both in depending on the time of year. Gleneagles is a little further away. It can’t hurt to ask them if they have a ballot policy.

 

Thanks again. Emails sent to Dumbarnie and Elie. 

 

I'm going end of May / beginning of June. Unfortunately, Carnoustie is a noon tee time. Possible to squeeze more golf in somewhere, but I dont think TOC is in play that day. 

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, scooterhd2 said:

 

Thanks again. Emails sent to Dumbarnie and Elie. 

 

I'm going end of May / beginning of June. Unfortunately, Carnoustie is a noon tee time. Possible to squeeze more golf in somewhere, but I dont think TOC is in play that day. 

It won’t be dark until 9:30pm then so you might make it. One thing that’s not published is that TOC does “dark times” that are open daily that they don’t sell because it’s not guaranteed that you can finish. So worst case, you could try any of the other days when you’re in St. Andrews and play earlier. You still pay full price for the dark time rounds, but if it’s not too crowded you might finish.

[scooterhd2]

Heard back from both courses. Both seem to be reasonable. I think I need to book ASAP, and if I hit on the Monday ballot just consider that a good problem to have. Try to shuffle these to the next day and take my chances. 

 

Elie -  If cancelled within 4 weeks of play then we’ll hold as a credit for any future booking within 1 year. For rescheduling dates of play, availability is always subject to date of cancellation.

 

Dumbarnie - Our cancellation policy is 30 days, however we are happy to reschedule a booking to within a couple of days either side of the original booking, subject to availability, should you be successful in the Ballot. We do not refund green fees if you are unable to play.

[palelefthand]

I have a very similar trip planned for early June and got the below response from Dumbarnie. Positive news that they put a handful of tee times aside for this very situation. Good luck!
 

“Our cancellation policy is 30 days, however we are happy to reschedule a booking to within a couple of days either side of the original booking, subject to availability, should you be successful in the Ballot. We try and keep a handful of tee times in reserve each day for this purpose so please contact us as soon as possible if you need to move your booking. We do not refund green fees if you are unable to play.”

[scooterhd2]

14 hours ago, palelefthand said:

I have a very similar trip planned for early June and got the below response from Dumbarnie. Positive news that they put a handful of tee times aside for this very situation. Good luck!
 

“Our cancellation policy is 30 days, however we are happy to reschedule a booking to within a couple of days either side of the original booking, subject to availability, should you be successful in the Ballot. We try and keep a handful of tee times in reserve each day for this purpose so please contact us as soon as possible if you need to move your booking. We do not refund green fees if you are unable to play.”

 

Thanks for the additional information. Exactly what I want to hear. Green fees are not cheap here, so I'd hate to completely lose out. And I do really want to play Dumbarnie. I just cant pass on the chance to play The Old Course if it comes up. 

[palelefthand]

I feel ya, man. The good news is you can apply via the two day ballot based on your hours available. Example: you can apply on Saturday for a noon-6pm tee time on Monday June, 6. Allowing you to maintain your Dumbarnie, Kingsbarns, or Carnoustie top dollar slots. 
 

We’re gonna be there for 6 days so figure we’ll pop at least once or twice. Good luck!

[palelefthand]

On 1/27/2023 at 7:11 PM, hammergolf said:

It won’t be dark until 9:30pm then so you might make it. One thing that’s not published is that TOC does “dark times” that are open daily that they don’t sell because it’s not guaranteed that you can finish. So worst case, you could try any of the other days when you’re in St. Andrews and play earlier. You still pay full price for the dark time rounds, but if it’s not too crowded you might finish.

This is the first I’m hearing about these “dark time” slots. Do you happen to know when they begin?

[hammergolf]

Just now, palelefthand said:

This is the first I’m hearing about these “dark time” slots. Do you happen to know when they begin?

Yeah, they don’t advertise it because those those aren’t guaranteed to finish the round before dark. Best thing to do is go see the starter the day you arrive and ask if any days have dark times available. You still pay full price, but if you hustle you might finish.

 

https://www.graylynloomis.com/getting-a-tee-time-on-the-old-course/

[scott_Donald]

Interesting trip. are you going all the way from Arizona for 4 days booked golf as a 20?

 

I have made it round with the very last tee time in March last year on the Old Course but agin it was out of main season so far more locals.

 

 

[scooterhd2]

On 2/5/2023 at 7:12 AM, scott_Donald said:

Interesting trip. are you going all the way from Arizona for 4 days booked golf as a 20?

 

I have made it round with the very last tee time in March last year on the Old Course but agin it was out of main season so far more locals.

 

 

 

The group of 20 is from all over the US. My flights are 8 days apart with 6 golfing days. I'm the only one coming from Arizona, so I cant speak to everyone's flights, but I know there is a big chunk of guys flying Sunday to Sunday, trying to get on TOC one day along with the 4 golfing days they have booked.