The Old Course Singles Line

[gaffs]

Hey Guys

Heading to Scotland in mid October. Planning to play the Old Course on Monday 14th.

Has anyone advice on the singles line? What is it like in October, or on a Monday?

Do i need to be in line at midnight, or would 4 or 5am usually get me a tee time?

I realize that no one can predict the future, but any insight or experience would help.

Thanks

 

 

[jonnymc44]

> @gaffs said:

> Hey Guys

> Heading to Scotland in mid October. Planning to play the Old Course on Monday 14th.

> Has anyone advice on the singles line? What is it like in October, or on a Monday?

> Do i need to be in line at midnight, or would 4 or 5am usually get me a tee time?

> I realize that no one can predict the future, but any insight or experience would help.

> Thanks

>

>

 

From personal experience, I arrived at 00:30 and was second in line. I was only in St Andrews for a few days for a wedding and it was my only opportunity to play so arrived as early as I possibly could to guarantee me a spot. I think everybody in the queue that day got a spot, some people arriving at 5am. I'm sure it won't be as busy in October but make sure you take a sleeping bag and some warm clothes. It got down to 5 degrees Centigrade in June and that was chilly!

[Superbrit]

Done it twice, both in mid October.

 

Went on my own the first time at 5am, and there was 1 guy there, and it was still only us 2 there at 7am

 

Second time i went with my dad, again at 5am, and there was about 12 people there who had literally camped out overnight, we ended up playing the new course instead.

 

Basically its difficult to gauge in October, but if i had to camp out overnight i would just play another course

 

Oh and they were both midweek, im going back on the 20th Oct and will be trying to play on the 21st, i aint going earlier than 5am, if i get on then great, if not i'll just play the jubilee

[puttnforthe8]

Done Oct twice and both times arrived at 3am - 2nd and 3rd in line. Both times by 7, there were 6-8 people. 1st time a tee time opened up due to cancellation and they put 4 of us out together. 2nd time 2 singles got put with a 2 some.

[gaffs]

> @puttnforthe8 said:

> Done Oct twice and both times arrived at 3am - 2nd and 3rd in line. Both times by 7, there were 6-8 people. 1st time a tee time opened up due to cancellation and they put 4 of us out together. 2nd time 2 singles got put with a 2 some.

 

> @Superbrit said:

> Done it twice, both in mid October.

>

> Went on my own the first time at 5am, and there was 1 guy there, and it was still only us 2 there at 7am

>

> Second time i went with my dad, again at 5am, and there was about 12 people there who had literally camped out overnight, we ended up playing the new course instead.

>

> Basically its difficult to gauge in October, but if i had to camp out overnight i would just play another course

>

> Oh and they were both midweek, im going back on the 20th Oct and will be trying to play on the 21st, i aint going earlier than 5am, if i get on then great, if not i'll just play the jubilee

 

Thanks guys. Does the office open at 7am in October? I had read 6am on previous posts, but maybe this refers to the Summer months?

[scott_Donald]

well I am playing tomorrow and got in through St Andrews Uni golf team, playing with a couple of guys -

 

https://www.standrews.com/ballot/results

 

you can see even with it being the only day this month the course is basically open there are still lots of spots.

[Superbrit]

> @gaffs said:

> > @puttnforthe8 said:

> > Done Oct twice and both times arrived at 3am - 2nd and 3rd in line. Both times by 7, there were 6-8 people. 1st time a tee time opened up due to cancellation and they put 4 of us out together. 2nd time 2 singles got put with a 2 some.

>

> > @Superbrit said:

> > Done it twice, both in mid October.

> >

> > Went on my own the first time at 5am, and there was 1 guy there, and it was still only us 2 there at 7am

> >

> > Second time i went with my dad, again at 5am, and there was about 12 people there who had literally camped out overnight, we ended up playing the new course instead.

> >

> > Basically its difficult to gauge in October, but if i had to camp out overnight i would just play another course

> >

> > Oh and they were both midweek, im going back on the 20th Oct and will be trying to play on the 21st, i aint going earlier than 5am, if i get on then great, if not i'll just play the jubilee

>

> Thanks guys. Does the office open at 7am in October? I had read 6am on previous posts, but maybe this refers to the Summer months?

 

Both times i went in October the office opened at 7am

[gaffs]

> @Superbrit said:

> > @gaffs said:

> > > @puttnforthe8 said:

> > > Done Oct twice and both times arrived at 3am - 2nd and 3rd in line. Both times by 7, there were 6-8 people. 1st time a tee time opened up due to cancellation and they put 4 of us out together. 2nd time 2 singles got put with a 2 some.

> >

> > > @Superbrit said:

> > > Done it twice, both in mid October.

> > >

> > > Went on my own the first time at 5am, and there was 1 guy there, and it was still only us 2 there at 7am

> > >

> > > Second time i went with my dad, again at 5am, and there was about 12 people there who had literally camped out overnight, we ended up playing the new course instead.

> > >

> > > Basically its difficult to gauge in October, but if i had to camp out overnight i would just play another course

> > >

> > > Oh and they were both midweek, im going back on the 20th Oct and will be trying to play on the 21st, i aint going earlier than 5am, if i get on then great, if not i'll just play the jubilee

> >

> > Thanks guys. Does the office open at 7am in October? I had read 6am on previous posts, but maybe this refers to the Summer months?

>

> Both times i went in October the office opened at 7am

 

Thanks. I don't know if that is a good or bad thing. Maybe gives me another hour in bed. Thanks

[ChrisToll]

For a chance to avoid waiting in line, subscribe to my BallotBuddy service where I'll hook you up with other single golfers wishing to play Old Course on a similar date/time. Search Ginger Beer Golf Travel and BallotBuddy

[Quebec Club Ho]

> @jonnymc44 said:

> > @gaffs said:

> > Hey Guys

> > Heading to Scotland in mid October. Planning to play the Old Course on Monday 14th.

> > Has anyone advice on the singles line? What is it like in October, or on a Monday?

> > Do i need to be in line at midnight, or would 4 or 5am usually get me a tee time?

> > I realize that no one can predict the future, but any insight or experience would help.

> > Thanks

> >

> >

>

> From personal experience, I arrived at 00:30 and was second in line. I was only in St Andrews for a few days for a wedding and it was my only opportunity to play so arrived as early as I possibly could to guarantee me a spot. I think everybody in the queue that day got a spot, some people arriving at 5am. I'm sure it won't be as busy in October but make sure you take a sleeping bag and some warm clothes. It got down to 5 degrees Centigrade in June and that was chilly!

 

Hi All...

Just wondering about this...I did the pilgrimage back in the summer of 2011 as a single and my only focus was the OC. Ended up playing the OC a total of seven times while waiting in line (back then 3am would got you top five in the queue). I never bought a sleeping bag or blankets (just my winter gear that I would have played in) as it was told that you have to be ready to play if you get a time. Just wondering as a single what would one do if they had blankets and the gear and they happen to get a spot immediately after the course opens?

I am planning to go back in 2 years and the queue apparently is starting at midnight or even as early as the previous night - so just wondering what the options are.

Thanks again :D

[jonnymc44]

> @"Quebec Club Ho" said:

> > @jonnymc44 said:

> > > @gaffs said:

> > > Hey Guys

> > > Heading to Scotland in mid October. Planning to play the Old Course on Monday 14th.

> > > Has anyone advice on the singles line? What is it like in October, or on a Monday?

> > > Do i need to be in line at midnight, or would 4 or 5am usually get me a tee time?

> > > I realize that no one can predict the future, but any insight or experience would help.

> > > Thanks

> > >

> > >

> >

> > From personal experience, I arrived at 00:30 and was second in line. I was only in St Andrews for a few days for a wedding and it was my only opportunity to play so arrived as early as I possibly could to guarantee me a spot. I think everybody in the queue that day got a spot, some people arriving at 5am. I'm sure it won't be as busy in October but make sure you take a sleeping bag and some warm clothes. It got down to 5 degrees Centigrade in June and that was chilly!

>

> Hi All...

> Just wondering about this...I did the pilgrimage back in the summer of 2011 as a single and my only focus was the OC. Ended up playing the OC a total of seven times while waiting in line (back then 3am would got you top five in the queue). I never bought a sleeping bag or blankets (just my winter gear that I would have played in) as it was told that you have to be ready to play if you get a time. Just wondering as a single what would one do if they had blankets and the gear and they happen to get a spot immediately after the course opens?

> I am planning to go back in 2 years and the queue apparently is starting at midnight or even as early as the previous night - so just wondering what the options are.

> Thanks again :D

 

The Course Pavillion has a locker area that you can store sleeping bags, clothes etc. if you are first out. I teed off at 6.30am and had a bag of things that I left in there no problems.

[TerpFangolfer]

Here's a different question - what would they think about a person waiting for another? Not 1 person waiting for 2 spots, obviously that doesn't fly.

We are planning to go this summer - and appears our advance request didn't work (no email yet). My FiL is almost 70 - not sure how he would deal with sleeping out from midnight.

I'd be willing to wait for him (I've played TOC already - and will have future opportunities). This will be most likely his 1 & only chance...

 

I'm guessing maybe not? Because then people could hire people to queue for them?

But do I understand the line is kind of informal - until the starter shows up at 0600 or so? So I stay out all night and my FiL comes in before then - and explain to the other "campers"? Just thinking of possibilities...

[davep043]

> @TerpFangolfer said:

> Here's a different question - what would they think about a person waiting for another? Not 1 person waiting for 2 spots, obviously that doesn't fly.

> We are planning to go this summer - and appears our advance request didn't work (no email yet). My FiL is almost 70 - not sure how he would deal with sleeping out from midnight.

> I'd be willing to wait for him (I've played TOC already - and will have future opportunities). This will be most likely his 1 & only chance...

>

> I'm guessing maybe not? Because then people could hire people to queue for them?

> But do I understand the line is kind of informal - until the starter shows up at 0600 or so? So I stay out all night and my FiL comes in before then - and explain to the other "campers"? Just thinking of possibilities...

 

I have no idea what the actual policy is, but if I was behind you in line, and you explained that all to me, I'd offer to buy you a pint in the pub after golf. That's a really generous attitude.

[jonnymc44]

> @TerpFangolfer said:

> Here's a different question - what would they think about a person waiting for another? Not 1 person waiting for 2 spots, obviously that doesn't fly.

> We are planning to go this summer - and appears our advance request didn't work (no email yet). My FiL is almost 70 - not sure how he would deal with sleeping out from midnight.

> I'd be willing to wait for him (I've played TOC already - and will have future opportunities). This will be most likely his 1 & only chance...

>

> I'm guessing maybe not? Because then people could hire people to queue for them?

> But do I understand the line is kind of informal - until the starter shows up at 0600 or so? So I stay out all night and my FiL comes in before then - and explain to the other "campers"? Just thinking of possibilities...

 

I was second in line behind a gentleman (player) and his wife (non-player). The gentleman went back to the hotel as his wife waited, and they did a couple of swapovers during the course of the night. Didn't bother me one bit, I had good conversations with both of them. Would happily do it again if it makes the night go quicker!

 

[raynorfan1]

> @TerpFangolfer said:

> Here's a different question - what would they think about a person waiting for another? Not 1 person waiting for 2 spots, obviously that doesn't fly.

> We are planning to go this summer - and appears our advance request didn't work (no email yet). My FiL is almost 70 - not sure how he would deal with sleeping out from midnight.

> I'd be willing to wait for him (I've played TOC already - and will have future opportunities). This will be most likely his 1 & only chance...

>

> I'm guessing maybe not? Because then people could hire people to queue for them?

> But do I understand the line is kind of informal - until the starter shows up at 0600 or so? So I stay out all night and my FiL comes in before then - and explain to the other "campers"? Just thinking of possibilities...

 

The line is pretty informal; I would assume that if you were open and honest about what you were doing, nobody would have a problem with it. But if there was a whiff of doing it for hire, that would not go over well.

[TerpFangolfer]

right...ok, thanks guys. Just got my rejection email :(

Would definitely have him there b4 starter arrives - and explain to others...