Old Course, August 23 - 25

[NY_Scratcher]

I'm going to be in St. Andrews in 2 week's time - the 23rd to the 25th.  I am looking to play the Old Course, every day if I can.  A couple of questions:

 

1.  Anyone have any idea what it's like walking up as a single now?  I'd hope that there are way less people than usual, but maybe all the locals are out!  Any recent experience anyone can share?

 

2.  This is a long shot, but if anyone else is going to be there on those days and wants to enter into the 48 hour ballot with me, please send me a private message.

 

Thanks!

[Stetson]

34 minutes ago, NY_Scratcher said:

I'm going to be in St. Andrews in 2 week's time - the 23rd to the 25th.  I am looking to play the Old Course, every day if I can.  A couple of questions:

 

1.  Anyone have any idea what it's like walking up as a single now?  I'd hope that there are way less people than usual, but maybe all the locals are out!  Any recent experience anyone can share?

 

2.  This is a long shot, but if anyone else is going to be there on those days and wants to enter into the 48 hour ballot with me, please send me a private message.

 

Thanks!

The line is gone, singles can’t go stand outside waiting for a time slot. I recommend reaching out to St Andrew’s ASAP. They told me that they have no mechanism for a single to play as of the last communication. 

[hammergolf]

Scotland has been really weird about covid. I wonder what they are doing to fill all of the slots? I did get an email from them today notifying me that they aren’t going to do the advanced time lottery for 2022. But they are very helpful, I would recommend sending them an email and inquiring.

 

https://www.standrews.com/Play/The-Home-of-Golf/News/2021-Guidelines

Edited August 10, 2021 by hammergolf

[philsRHman]

They told me the same about basically no way to get on as a single this year. You need to get over to BallotBuddy, I see some folks with times for later this month. I have to think the ballot success will be very high this year but you need a second person to enter with. I guess if it was really a once in a lifetime experience you could enter with someone who won’t show and just pay for both slots? Or hope for sympathy? Or talk to your B&B host, they seem to have a few tricks up their sleeve. 
 

On a different note, I get the idea they don’t want people congregating on line but why not adjust the ballot to allow singles? They say they’ll allow two twosomes, so how different would it be? 
 

I have a tee time prebooked from last year’s lottery. Makes me wonder if I’ll be out there alone. I wonder what the actual tee sheets look like right now. What a shame it would be if there are gaps while people are itching to play. 

[hammergolf]

22 hours ago, philsRHman said:

They told me the same about basically no way to get on as a single this year. You need to get over to BallotBuddy, I see some folks with times for later this month. I have to think the ballot success will be very high this year but you need a second person to enter with. I guess if it was really a once in a lifetime experience you could enter with someone who won’t show and just pay for both slots? Or hope for sympathy? Or talk to your B&B host, they seem to have a few tricks up their sleeve. 
 

On a different note, I get the idea they don’t want people congregating on line but why not adjust the ballot to allow singles? They say they’ll allow two twosomes, so how different would it be? 
 

I have a tee time prebooked from last year’s lottery. Makes me wonder if I’ll be out there alone. I wonder what the actual tee sheets look like right now. What a shame it would be if there are gaps while people are itching to play. 

You would think they could pair 4 singles who entered the ballot to fill times. 

[philsRHman]

definitely try Ballot Buddy, I just got 4 matches today for October. 

[865golf]

I’m in St. Andrews right now and was able to get on as a single. Just go to the pavilion beside the first tee and ask them if they can put you in with a group and tell them what days you’d like to play. They’ll take your contact info and call you if there is an opening.

[philsRHman]

7 hours ago, 865golf said:

I’m in St. Andrews right now and was able to get on as a single. Just go to the pavilion beside the first tee and ask them if they can put you in with a group and tell them what days you’d like to play. They’ll take your contact info and call you if there is an opening.

Wow this is a game changer. I’ve been watching the daily ballot and tons of twosomes listed. I’d think the odds would be very high going this route. 

[865golf]

I would think they would be pretty good. I asked for something on Wednesday and they called with 3 times. The one I ended up choosing had an LPGA pro in the group. And to answer the question posed on other threads, NO - a scratch male amateur golfer is not going to beat a professional female golfer.  Have fun if you make it over!