Understand the two-day ballot
Work backwards from the day you want to play
The official St Andrews Links ballot page says the draw takes place two days before play, with entry closing at 2pm and results available after 4:30pm that same day. For example, a Saturday round normally has a Thursday entry deadline. All times are local to St Andrews. Confirm the specific date on the official page: tournament days can interrupt the ballot, and the Old Course is closed on Sundays, so there is no Friday ballot for Sunday play.
The regular ballot needs at least two players, with each golfer's name, home club and handicap. Entries can be made online, by telephone or in person at the locations listed by the Links Trust. Duplicate entries are disqualified, and only named players may play. Agree who will submit the group's entry so that well-meaning teammates do not duplicate it.
A ballot entry is an opportunity, not a reservation
Being in St Andrews and entering correctly does not guarantee a tee time. The Trust says availability across the day improves the chance of success, so a tightly fixed lunch, distant transfer or competing round can make a successful result difficult to use. Decide in advance which commitments your group can move and which you will keep even if a slot appears.
Choose the right route for your party
Compare advance applications with the ballot
If the Old Course is essential rather than a welcome bonus, investigate official advance options before fixing the rest of the trip. The Trust's 2027 Swilcan Package, for example, allocates successful applicants two consecutive days of golf including the Old Course. It is an application process with limited availability, not a guarantee that every applicant receives a time. The published 2027 application window closed on 6 October 2026; check the Trust for future windows and current terms.
Compare the actual inclusions, payment deadlines, party size and flexibility of any option offered to you. A confirmed tee time and an application for one are different things. Our guide to when to book a golf trip explains why the hardest booking should shape the rest of the itinerary.
Solo travellers use a separate draw
For a single golfer, the regular two-person ballot is not the same as the Singles Daily Draw. The Trust currently says individuals can enter the latter in person at the Old Pavilion or Links Clubhouse between 9am and 4pm on the day before play. Check the official instructions before travelling, including how results are communicated and when you must be available. A group should not assume its members will all be allocated the same time through individual entries.
Build a trip that works after either result
Keep a workable alternative
Give the group more than one eligible day in the area if the Old Course matters, and identify alternative golf or activities you would be happy to enjoy. Check course schedules, transfer times and weather before setting the order. Our Scotland course guide and seasonal planning guide can help frame the wider route; verify each course's current visitor terms directly.
A backup is only flexible if its terms permit a change. The Trust explicitly says prepaid green fees for another course cannot be transferred as part payment for a successful Old Course ballot. Ask the other supplier about cancellation deadlines, refunds and changes before paying, and decide whether the group is comfortable paying for both rounds if necessary. The cancellation guide helps separate the terms for golf, accommodation and transport.
Plan for different outcomes within a group
Discuss whether everyone needs to play together, whether a split group is acceptable, and who can adjust transport if times differ. Keep the decision with the travellers whose names are on the entry. If a successful time clashes with another booking, check the written terms before cancelling anything; a ballot result does not automatically change another supplier's contract.
Prepare before you leave home
Carry current handicap evidence
The Trust requires successful ballot players to present a current official handicap card, record or certificate from a club affiliated to a golf union or association. Its published maximum is 36 for men and women, and a letter from a club professional is not accepted as a substitute. Confirm your own evidence is valid and accessible before departure; check the Trust's current rules for the route you use.
After a successful draw, check the allocated time and the Trust's check-in instructions. Its ballot page currently asks players to check in at least 20 minutes before their tee time. Leave additional time for travel and preparation, and confirm any caddie, equipment or accessibility needs directly rather than assuming they are included.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead is the Old Course ballot drawn?
The regular ballot is drawn two days before play. St Andrews Links says entries close at 2pm local time and results are available after 4:30pm that day. Check the official page for the applicable date and any changes before entering.
Can a single golfer enter the regular Old Course ballot?
The regular ballot requires at least two players. St Andrews Links offers a separate Singles Daily Draw for individual golfers; its published process requires entry in person the day before play. A place in the draw is not a guaranteed tee time.
What handicap proof do I need for the Old Course?
St Andrews Links says successful ballot players must present a current official handicap card, record or certificate from a club affiliated to a golf union or association. Its published maximum handicap is 36 for men and women. Check the current requirements for your booking route before travelling.
Can I transfer another prepaid green fee if I win the ballot?
St Andrews Links states that prepaid green fees for another course cannot be transferred as part payment for a successful Old Course ballot. Check the cancellation and change terms of any alternative round before paying for it.
Make the whole Scotland trip worthwhile
Start with your priorities and flexibility
Tell DGE Golf whether the Old Course is essential or a hopeful addition, how many golfers are travelling and how much flexibility the group has. Build the wider Scotland golf trip around rounds and experiences you value in their own right, with a clear decision for each possible ballot result.
Sources checked October 19, 2026: St Andrews Links Trust's Old Course ballot and 2027 Swilcan Package pages. Booking rules, entry windows, course schedules and availability can change; confirm the current official information for your dates.