Old Course Ballot Advice - Enter as a twosome or foursome?

[ALTSean]

Our foursome is staying in St. Andrews in August.  We'll be there 8 nights so we have 7 days when the Old Course is open.  In order to increase the odds that some of us get on TOC, should we enter the daily ballot as a twosome or a foursome or does it matter?

 

 

We'll do the que early one morning if we need to, but it would be great to "win" the daily ballot and have a tee time and sleep in a bed. 🤣

[Octopus Golfer]

Another question. I’m heading to St. Andrews next week. I have a local friend who is going to put me in the local ballot. Should I also put my name in the regular ballot to increase my odds of getting a tee time? Is that even allowed?

[El Gringo]

9 hours ago, ALTSean said:

Our foursome is staying in St. Andrews in August.  We'll be there 8 nights so we have 7 days when the Old Course is open.  In order to increase the odds that some of us get on TOC, should we enter the daily ballot as a twosome or a foursome or does it matter?

 

 

We'll do the que early one morning if we need to, but it would be great to "win" the daily ballot and have a tee time and sleep in a bed. 🤣

The odds of someone in your party getting a time increase if you enter the ballot as 2 balls. 

[ALTSean]

8 hours ago, El Gringo said:

The odds of someone in your party getting a time increase if you enter the ballot as 2 balls. 

 

Ok, thanks!  My assumption was that entering as a 2 ball was the way to go, but had not heard anything definitive.  

 

[hammergolf]

On 6/24/2023 at 1:43 PM, ALTSean said:

Our foursome is staying in St. Andrews in August.  We'll be there 8 nights so we have 7 days when the Old Course is open.  In order to increase the odds that some of us get on TOC, should we enter the daily ballot as a twosome or a foursome or does it matter?

 

 

We'll do the que early one morning if we need to, but it would be great to "win" the daily ballot and have a tee time and sleep in a bed. 🤣

Keep in mind, the women’s Open and the Walker will be held around that time so there are going to be limited spots. With the ballot, it depends on the day. Thursday is the best chances for the ballot because the majority of times on that day are reserved for the 48 hour ballot. I’ve done the ballot 4 times on a Thursday for a foursome and was selected half of those. On the other days if there aren’t many open times, a twosome may be a better choice. I would go to the starter on the day you arrive, and see what the tee sheets look like. The starter will have an idea what may be best depending on how many spots are open. 

[hammergolf]

17 hours ago, Octopus Golfer said:

Another question. I’m heading to St. Andrews next week. I have a local friend who is going to put me in the local ballot. Should I also put my name in the regular ballot to increase my odds of getting a tee time? Is that even allowed?

No do not do that. Multiple entries are immediately disqualified.

[Octopus Golfer]

On 6/25/2023 at 4:29 PM, hammergolf said:

No do not do that. Multiple entries are immediately disqualified.

Thanks. Do I have a better chance through the local ballot or the general ballot?

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, Octopus Golfer said:

Thanks. Do I have a better chance through the local ballot or the general ballot?

The locals are supposed to have a higher priority.

[scott_Donald]

On 6/28/2023 at 9:53 PM, hammergolf said:

The locals are supposed to have a higher priority.

 

All depends on what local they are - there is a priority, can't remember off my head though. 

[hammergolf]

8 hours ago, scott_Donald said:

 

All depends on what local they are - there is a priority, can't remember off my head though. 

I can’t remember the exact category breakdown either. But I’m almost positive they have a higher priority versus visitors in ballot.

[Octopus Golfer]

My local was able to get me on the first try. I just played this morning. I also got on Saturday by getting in the queue at 5:00 a.m.

[hammergolf]

3 hours ago, Octopus Golfer said:

My local was able to get me on the first try. I just played this morning. I also got on Saturday by getting in the queue at 5:00 a.m.

Awesome!

[El Gringo]

Hit the ballot for Wednesday at 11:40. First time successful in I don't know how many tries 

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, El Gringo said:

Hit the ballot for Wednesday at 11:40. First time successful in I don't know how many tries 

Awesome! Have a great round..

[El Gringo]

On 7/4/2023 at 6:57 AM, hammergolf said:

Awesome! Have a great round..

We had a great round thanks. Beautiful 21 sunny degrees and virtually no wind. Play was a bit slow, but not disastrously so. At £295 it may be my last gad round the ole girl, but if it is goodbye it was a cracking way to go. 

Edited July 10, 2023 by El Gringo

[hammergolf]

10 hours ago, El Gringo said:

We had a great round thanks. Beautiful 21 sunny degrees and virtually no wind. Play was a bit slow, but not disastrously so. At £295 it may be my last gad round the ole girl, but if it is goodbye it was a cracking way to go. 

Awesome place and even better weather. I’m hoping to one day be lucky enough to play it in the reverse (original) routing.