Old Course Lottery

[akam2]

Hi All,

 

Making a trip to Scotland this week for a golf trip. I arrive in Edinburgh early Sunday morning before heading down towards Prestwick. 
 

I am planning on trying the old course lottery for Sunday and early Monday morning. Any tips or other ways to try and get on as a single? Also anyone had success with the lottery system?

 

Heard members sometimes offer people to join for a price, but that might be folklore 

[hammergolf]

There isn’t a lottery for play on Sunday. Since as a single you can’t apply for the lottery, you might want to check out ballot buddy and see if you can pair up with someone. Your best option would be to do the walk up option and camp out overnight.

[scott_Donald]

Course is closed on a Sunday.

 

Ballot buddy or a Q on Sunday night is your best bet. 

[AltC]

Best queue up for a single slot Sunday night / Monday morning but that is also a “lottery” - if you really must play The Old! Else why not have a nice sleep /breakfast and rock up at 9am and try to get on The New instead? I get the allure and history aspect but unless you want to put yourself through the queue all night scenario- which doesn’t tend to enjoyable golf then The New is a great golf course!

For clarity I have tried to get on TOC several times and failed a few - but have played it a few times also - but never failed to get on The New as a single within an hour or so of rocking up to the starter several times.

Edited June 22, 2023 by AltC

[dirthead]

I was in St Andrews 3 weeks ago and people were lining up for the singles queue by 7pm.  A couple of days there were already 5-7 people in line by then.  Another day 3 guys were sprinting from the Dunvegan to get there and you would have thought they won the lottery when they realized they were first in line.  After playing The Old, I wouldn't queue in line all night to play it.  It's a good course with lots of history, but I wouldn't put myself through that to play it again.  Luckily I got on through the ballot.  

 

The New is great.  Similar to the Old in ways but with much more gorse lining the fairways.  You can miss it left all day long on The Old and The New is just the opposite.  Miss it right on the New and your in gorse.  During my time there, the other courses only had light play each day.  You could literally walk up to the starter on any of the other courses and be playing within 30 minutes, if not immediately.

  

[AltC]

There is of course a “middle ground” approach- have a nice sleep and breakfast but get yourself down to the Old Starters hut by just before 6am (I think the overnight dudes get there early but not many join after say 2am) check availability of getting on ( if he says he can get you out by say 4pm then take it) -  otherwise or even if it is a later tee time then go down to the New course starter and try to get on. Have done this several times ( if the weather is bad you have more chance of getting on the Old). More late afternoon slots available than early times. In June/July/Aug you can play till well after 10pm no worries and often it is the best time to play - the wind dies down and a summers late evening  round can be a real joy in Scotland. Hope you get on and enjoy your golf!

Edited June 29, 2023 by AltC

[Octopus Golfer]

I showed up for the queue this morning at 5:00 a.m. I was 38 in line and my buddy was 39. They gave tee times to the first 18 people but said they had about 20 additional possible openings. They said to come back at 8:45. We did, and I got in at 9:45, and my buddy got on at 10:50. 

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, Octopus Golfer said:

I showed up for the queue this morning at 5:00 a.m. I was 38 in line and my buddy was 39. They gave tee times to the first 18 people but said they had about 20 additional possible openings. They said to come back at 8:45. We did, and I got in at 9:45, and my buddy got on at 10:50. 

AWESOME!

[El Gringo]

I failed the ballot yet again. Play Gullane 3 instead on Monday...save about £285. I will try the ballot again on Monday. 

[EmperorPenguin]

Does anyone know the success rate of the ballot?  I heard from some it is 5%, and one guy I know who runs a mom-and-pop tour operator estimates the success rate at 20%.

[hammergolf]

55 minutes ago, EmperorPenguin said:

Does anyone know the success rate of the ballot?  I heard from some it is 5%, and one guy I know who runs a mom-and-pop tour operator estimates the success rate at 20%.

Depending on the time of year and the tournament schedule for each year, it’s between 15-30%.

 

https://gingerbeergolftravel.com/st-andrews-old-course-ballot-success-rates-2022/#success-rate

[El Gringo]

I hit the ballot and played. Another guy in our larger group went in the que at 6am. He didn't get one of those spots, but he gave his number to the starter and was called twice offering him games after folks cancelled. Remember, some ballot winners don't take their spot for various reasons.