Your Complete St. Andrews Golf Travel Guide — And Why Every Detail Matters
By Susan | Luxury Golf Travel Advisor | Westlake Village, California
When clients ask me about the world’s greatest golf destinations, St. Andrews is always in the conversation — and for good reason. It’s where the game was born, where legends have competed for centuries, and where a single round on the Old Course can genuinely change how you think about golf. As a luxury golf travel advisor, I’ve helped countless clients plan this trip — and I can tell you with complete confidence that how you plan it makes all the difference.
This is your St. Andrews golf travel guide. Read it, then let’s talk.
The Golf — What You Absolutely Need to Know
The Old Course: The Numbers Don’t Lie
The Old Course is the whole reason you’re here. Walking across the Swilcan Bridge, playing the Road Hole, standing on the 18th fairway with the grey stone of the town behind you — it delivers every time. The challenge is getting on it.
Here’s the reality:
- In 2024, 14,489 golfers entered the ballot for the Old Course. Only 3,677 got on. That’s a 25% success rate.
- Guaranteed tee times through authorized providers are typically sold 18 to 24 months in advance — and 2025 and 2026 are already fully booked. We are now booking 2027.
- The annual lottery opens each August and September for the following season. Successful applicants are notified in October — but by then, guaranteed times through my partners are usually gone.
- The daily ballot (48-hour draw) fills nearly half of all tee times. Entries close at 2pm, 48 hours before your round. Results post at 4pm the same day.
- Thursdays and Saturdays have the most ballot spots available.
- A valid handicap certificate (36 max for men and ladies) is required at the starter. No exceptions.
- Minimum 2 players, maximum 4 per ballot entry.
- The Old Course is closed on Sundays — plan accordingly.
Advisor tip: Build in a minimum of 4 to 5 days in St. Andrews. The more days you’re there, the more ballot entries you have — and there is more than enough to fill every hour beautifully
The Courses That Complete the Trip
As a Scotland golf trip planner with expert partners on the ground, I can secure access to courses that are genuinely difficult to arrange independently. Every one of these belongs on a serious golfer’s itinerary.
The New Course — Right beside the Old and arguably the most demanding pure test of links golf in St. Andrews. Often overlooked. Never a disappointment.
The Jubilee Course — Longer and tougher, it rewards accuracy and course management. A favorite for serious players.
The Castle Course — Clifftop links with panoramic views of the North Sea. One of the most dramatic settings you’ll play anywhere in the world.
Kingsbarns Golf Links — 15 minutes down the coast and one of the most beautiful courses on the planet. Ocean views from nearly every hole, flawless conditions, and hospitality that’s second to none. Non-negotiable on any St. Andrews itinerary.
Carnoustie Golf Links — 30 minutes away. Eight Open Championships. The toughest course on the rota. Unforgiving, unforgettable, and absolutely worth it.
Dumbarnie Links — Opened in 2020 and already drawing serious comparisons to Kingsbarns. A stunning coastal addition to any itinerary.
When to Go
May through September is the most popular time to visit St Andrews — and the season most of my clients tend to travel there. The days are longer, the town feels vibrant and lively, and the beautiful Scottish coastal light is unlike anywhere else in the world. It is peak season, so expect higher demand and more visitors, but the atmosphere during these months is truly special.
June and early September are my personal sweet spots — warm enough, less crowded than peak summer, and far easier to secure the tee times and dinner reservations that make this trip what it should be.
There’s a reason golfers say any day at St. Andrews is a good day — and that includes the off-season. Fewer crowds, more availability, and a rawer experience of the links. If your dates are flexible, tell me. I’ll match your schedule to the experience, not the other way around.
For the Non-Golfers — You’ll Love It Here Too
St. Andrews is one of the best golf destinations in the world, but it’s also simply one of Scotland’s most extraordinary towns. Partners and non-golfers are never left wondering what to do.
The Cathedral Ruins — Medieval ruins on a clifftop above the North Sea. Free to explore and completely absorbing. The scale of what once stood here puts you in your place in the best way.
West Sands Beach — Miles of open sand made famous by Chariots of Fire. Walk it early morning and it feels like it belongs entirely to you.
The British Golf Museum — Right beside the Old Course, and surprisingly compelling even for those with no interest in the game.
The East Neuk Villages — A short drive south to Crail, Anstruther, and Pittenweem. Stone cottages, lobster boats in the harbour, and the finest fish and chips in Scotland. Spend an afternoon here — you won’t regret it.
Get in touch and let’s build your Scotland golf trip together.Whisky Tours — Scotland and whisky are inseparable. I can arrange private distillery visits, expert-led tastings, and bespoke whisky blending experiences that are a genuine highlight for many of my clients. For whisky lovers, this alone is worth the trip.
Spa Days — The Old Course Hotel and the Fairmont St. Andrews both offer exceptional spas. A perfect way to spend a day while your golfers are out on the course.
Why You Need a Luxury Golf Travel Advisor for This Trip
St. Andrews is not a trip you want to wing. The tee time system is complicated, the best hotels and tee times disappear fast, and a poorly planned itinerary can turn the world’s greatest golf destination into a genuinely frustrating experience.
Here’s what my expert golf partners and I take care of — so you don’t have to:
Tee time access. My partners hold Authorized Provider status for Old Course tee times — one of only a handful of companies globally. They manage the ballot, know which dates offer the best odds, and structure your itinerary around your best chances of getting on.
Daily logistics. Private transfers from Edinburgh, daily bag drop to and from the course, caddie coordination, club storage — none of it falls on you.
Itinerary flexibility. If the ballot doesn’t come through on a given day, your schedule adapts seamlessly. Backup rounds are already in place. No scrambling, no disappointment.
VIP Hotel benefits. Preferred rates, luxury hotel upgrades where available, breakfast inclusions, and a level of welcome that simply isn’t available booking direct.
The full experience. Whisky tours, spa bookings, dinner reservations, distillery visits, private drivers for a day in the East Neuk — all arranged before you arrive.
You show up. You play. You explore. You enjoy. Everything else is handled.
Places to Stay
Where you stay shapes everything. My relationships with the finest properties in the area mean my clients enjoy preferred rates, exclusive amenities, and the kind of personal attention you simply won’t find booking on your own.
The Old Course Hotel — The iconic address, right on the 17th hole. World-class spa, a whisky bar with over 200 expressions, and exceptional dining. This is the full St. Andrews experience in one property.
Rusacks Hotel — Beautifully restored, with sweeping views over the 18th fairway and the bay. Intimate and atmospheric, with a rooftop terrace that’s worth the trip alone.
Hotel du Vin St. Andrews — A boutique hotel in the heart of the old town, converted from a traditional stone terrace. Charming, central, and with one of the best restaurants in St. Andrews downstairs.
Your Planning Timeline
This St. Andrews golf travel guide wouldn’t be complete without the honest truth about timing:
- 18–24 months out — Ideal for guaranteed Old Course tee times through an authorized provider
- 12 months out — The annual lottery window. Great for flexible travelers
- 6 months out — Still possible, but your options narrow
- Last minute — The daily ballot is always worth entering. Plan around the other world-class courses nearby and treat the Old Course as a brilliant bonus
Whether you’re planning for next year or already thinking ahead to 2027, the best time to start is now.
