| If you are a golfer then there probably is no | | | | so the ballot on the Saturday is for play on the |
| greater wish than to play the Old Course at St | | | | Monday. |
| Andrews. The Old Course is, as far as I know, | | | | Single Golfers. |
| unique in that the course is owned by the town | | | | If you are looking to go and play the course on |
| of St Andrews and not by members as is normal | | | | your own then you can visit the starter for the |
| with golf clubs. Thus the course is actually a | | | | Old Course and, if he can, he will try and slot you |
| municipal course. The course itself is based right in | | | | in with either a two or three ball party who have |
| the heart of the town. There is no greater | | | | a reserved tee time. You will be playing with |
| pleasure than sitting at the 18th green on a | | | | golfers you do not know, however golfers tend |
| summer evening, watching the players finishing | | | | to be a band of brothers and it is rare that I |
| their round,that is unless you are actually playing | | | | have ever had a problem going out golfing with |
| yourself. | | | | players I did not know. To be honest sometimes |
| Many players are not sure how you go about | | | | it is the best way to play golf as you can meet |
| booking times on the Old Course so let me try | | | | some very interesting people as I have found |
| and explain the system. | | | | using a similar system in Portugal, Spain and |
| Firstly, there are handicap restrictions for golfers | | | | across the USA. The Links committee does make |
| wanting to play the Old Course. For men, | | | | a small number of advanced reservations available |
| handicaps must be 24 or lower, for ladies | | | | for single golfers. If you are looking to do this |
| handicaps must be 36 or lower. If your handicaps | | | | then you must follow the process for Advanced |
| are not that good then give yourself a challenge | | | | Reservations and book early September for the |
| to achieve the required handicaps so that you can | | | | following calendar year. |
| play this magnificent golf course. | | | | Old Course Experience. |
| There are four ways to book tees on the Old | | | | The Old Course experience enables golfers to buy |
| Course. | | | | guaranteed premium tee times for the course. |
| Advanced Reservations | | | | This experience offers a range of available tee |
| The Old Course has an advanced reservation | | | | times, accommodation and tournaments which |
| system in place that allows golfers to pre book | | | | are played across multiple course in Fife, Scotland |
| their rounds. To do this you must apply early | | | | including at least one game guaranteed on the Old |
| September for bookings on the course for the | | | | Course. For further information on this please visit |
| next calendar year. You can apply by sending an | | | | the St Andrews Links website or phone them on |
| e-mail with your requirements to the St Andrews | | | | +44 1334 441350. |
| Links Trust. Please see author box below for the | | | | To play the Old Course for golfers worldwide is |
| actual email address. | | | | to make a pilgrimage to the home of golf. As you |
| Daily Ballot | | | | make your way around the course you will relive |
| The second way to obtain a tee time on the | | | | so many memories of so many famous golfers. |
| course is to enter the daily ballot. The daily ballot | | | | While walking across the Swilken bridge on the |
| allocates nearly half of the available tee times for | | | | 18th hole nobody can fail to remember the |
| the course. You need to enter your name, home | | | | famous farewell from Jack Nicklaus in his last |
| club and handicap details either by phone on +44 | | | | competitive round at the Old Course. |
| 1334 46666 or by visiting the clubhouse. You | | | | Remember that alongside the Old Course there |
| must enter your details before 14:00 the day | | | | are a multitude of magnificent and challenging |
| before you want to play. To be entered into the | | | | courses within Fife. To name but a few, the |
| ballot your group at a minimum must have two | | | | Duke's Course, Kingsbarns, the Torrance, Crail, |
| golfers and meet the minimum handicap | | | | the New Course, the Castle and the hidden gem |
| requirements. The results of the draw are posted | | | | which is Ladybank. I look forward to seeing you |
| on the St Andrews Links website by 16:00 and at | | | | out on the courses in this magnificent homeland |
| the Starters office for the Old Course. It is worth | | | | of golf! |
| noting that the Old Course is closed on Sundays | | | | |