The New Course - Booking at Tee Time / Availability

[FlashinLeather]

I searched the forums and the google machine but was unable to find an answer.

 

We have a family trip (3 golfers) planned the first week of June 2026. I am going to enter the lottery for TOC but it is unlikely we get a time (should each member of our party enter the lottery?). I am wondering how hard it is to get a tee time at the New Course. It looks like summer of 2026 is not yet avalible for reservations. It is also lottery system or will I be able to make a tee time once we get the results back from the TOC lottery? Exact time won't be too much of an issue as we only plan to play 18 on a given day.

 

Thanks!

[Messma]

4 hours ago, FlashinLeather said:

I searched the forums and the google machine but was unable to find an answer.

 

We have a family trip (3 golfers) planned the first week of June 2026. I am going to enter the lottery for TOC but it is unlikely we get a time (should each member of our party enter the lottery?). I am wondering how hard it is to get a tee time at the New Course. It looks like summer of 2026 is not yet avalible for reservations. It is also lottery system or will I be able to make a tee time once we get the results back from the TOC lottery? Exact time won't be too much of an issue as we only plan to play 18 on a given day.

 

Thanks!

I might be wrong, but I think it is 1 lottery entry per group. Not sure how strictly enforced that is. 
 

You should be able to make a New Course tee time when you get the results back. I think they open up tee times around the same time as the lottery opens. I would note the New Course also holds open walk up times, and you can transfer times between the St. Andrews Links courses (not including TOC). I played the New Course June 10 through a walk up time. We booked a round at the Jubilee about a month before (New Course was full) then we walked up to the New Course starter around 9 am and they had an opening for a 3 ball at 11 am. We transferred our Jubilee tee time to the New Course. So there are plenty of options to get on the New course, especially this early. 
 

Quick edit to add that you should pay also pay attention to busy times when entering the lottery and looking for tee times at the other courses. There was a tournament on the Eden when I was there and was not able to get a time at that course. 

Edited July 7 by Messma

[hammergolf]

4 hours ago, FlashinLeather said:

I searched the forums and the google machine but was unable to find an answer.

 

We have a family trip (3 golfers) planned the first week of June 2026. I am going to enter the lottery for TOC but it is unlikely we get a time (should each member of our party enter the lottery?). I am wondering how hard it is to get a tee time at the New Course. It looks like summer of 2026 is not yet avalible for reservations. It is also lottery system or will I be able to make a tee time once we get the results back from the TOC lottery? Exact time won't be too much of an issue as we only plan to play 18 on a given day.

 

Thanks!

I just had some clients return from Scotland. The plan for them was to apply for the 48hr ballot every day and if unsuccessful, they would walk up for The New and Jubilee. They were unable to get on either course in the 4 days they tried and were only able to play The Eden. In the past half of the times for TOC were allocated for the ballot, now less than 25% are. To make matters even worse they are picking twosomes to pair together for 1 time slot. So not only groups getting times, they are also limiting the singles slots while encouraging more golfers to apply since it’s easier now and requires no dedication to earn a slot. I looked at the ballots a couple weeks ago, and around 17 of the 69 available times each day were given to open ballots. My recommendation would be to book your golf as far in advance as possible since with the new policies it’s made it very unlikely you can get on TOC.  

[hammergolf]

21 minutes ago, Messma said:

I might be wrong, but I think it is 1 lottery entry per group. Not sure how strictly enforced that is. 
 

You should be able to make a New Course tee time when you get the results back. I think they open up tee times around the same time as the lottery opens. I would note the New Course also holds open walk up times, and you can transfer times between the St. Andrews Links courses (not including TOC). I played the New Course June 10 through a walk up time. We booked a round at the Jubilee about a month before (New Course was full) then we walked up to the New Course starter around 9 am and they had an opening for a 3 ball at 11 am. We transferred our Jubilee tee time to the New Course. So there are plenty of options to get on the New course, especially this early. 
 

Quick edit to add that you should pay also pay attention to busy times when entering the lottery and looking for tee times at the other courses. There was a tournament on the Eden when I was there and was not able to get a time at that course. 

If you enter duplicate entires with the same names, they are both eliminated.

[FlashinLeather]

3 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

I just had some clients return from Scotland. The plan for them was to apply for the 48hr ballot every day and if unsuccessful, they would walk up for The New and Jubilee. They were unable to get on either course in the 4 days they tried and were only able to play The Eden. In the past half of the times for TOC were allocated for the ballot, now less than 25% are. To make matters even worse they are picking twosomes to pair together for 1 time slot. So not only groups getting times, they are also limiting the singles slots while encouraging more golfers to apply since it’s easier now and requires no dedication to earn a slot. I looked at the ballots a couple weeks ago, and around 17 of the 69 available times each day were given to open ballots. My recommendation would be to book your golf as far in advance as possible since with the new policies it’s made it very unlikely you can get on TOC.  

Thanks for the info. We already have most of our tee times booked with the acception of 2 days. I will try to fill them with the lottery and if not just walk TOC one morning and play at one of the many other world class links in the area. 

[FlashinLeather]

19 hours ago, hammergolf said:

If you enter duplicate entires with the same names, they are both eliminated.

Yes, you are correct. After I made my post I found that all names must be entered into the lottery for the slot. Makes sense and saves them time when selecting. 

Edited July 8 by FlashinLeather

[flognut]

at least 1 day a week they could bring back the overnight que, especially for people who are in SA for a week or so. so it gives the most dedicated a chance. 

[jatrain]

20 hours ago, hammergolf said:

I just had some clients return from Scotland. The plan for them was to apply for the 48hr ballot every day and if unsuccessful, they would walk up for The New and Jubilee. They were unable to get on either course in the 4 days they tried and were only able to play The Eden. In the past half of the times for TOC were allocated for the ballot, now less than 25% are. To make matters even worse they are picking twosomes to pair together for 1 time slot. So not only groups getting times, they are also limiting the singles slots while encouraging more golfers to apply since it’s easier now and requires no dedication to earn a slot. I looked at the ballots a couple weeks ago, and around 17 of the 69 available times each day were given to open ballots. My recommendation would be to book your golf as far in advance as possible since with the new policies it’s made it very unlikely you can get on TOC.  

That confirms for me that I'm going to suggest to my Ballot buddy group that we enter as two twosomes.  Shouldn't be a big deal as we are all strangers anyway and hopefully will (slightly) increase our chances.

 

Thats also disappointing to hear about the walk-up for your clients on the New and Jubilee.  I was able to walk on the Jubilee easily in September but couldn't get out on Eden or Castle the next day (New was closed for a tournament all week), ended up at Crail Balcomie (who did a great job of working me in) so it turned out for the best.  I have one day I'm planning on trying to walk on the New in August, I'll post how it goes. 

 

[jatrain]

@hammergolf  Were your clients just looking for a foursome or were they willing to break-up, play as singles, etc? 

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, flognut said:

at least 1 day a week they could bring back the overnight que, especially for people who are in SA for a week or so. so it gives the most dedicated a chance. 

Yeah, it really sucks that golfers who are willing to make the sacrifice to que no longer have any control of their ability to get on. Not only was it a great tradition, but it truly was the fairest policy. The new leadership there has made several changes that are not in the best interest of golfers. They even took away the 3 and 7 day unlimited packages. St. Andrews used to be one of the few golf destinations that had resisted the corporate model, but sadly that’s not the case anymore. 

[flognut]

2 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Yeah, it really sucks that golfers who are willing to make the sacrifice to que no longer have any control of their ability to get on. Not only was it a great tradition, but it truly was the fairest policy. The new leadership there has made several changes that are not in the best interest of golfers. They even took away the 3 and 7 day unlimited packages. St. Andrews used to be one of the few golf destinations that had resisted the corporate model, but sadly that’s not the case anymore. 

yeah, sadly you are spot on

[st1800e]

For the New course, when we were there in April, half the times were held for walkup. But you have to physically go to the starter first thing in the morning to ask and get a time , don’t recall what time that is.  7-8am? 
Ask at the clubhouse in advance when you arrive in town.  

Walking up at noon expecting a time available typically doesn’t work.  

[KUJayhawks]

Well we’re off to a good start.  One of our foursomes won the ballot for Saturday!  Unfortunately I wasn’t on that entry…

 

That takes a little pressure off knowing that at least half our group will get on.

[hammergolf]

39 minutes ago, KUJayhawks said:

Well we’re off to a good start.  One of our foursomes won the ballot for Saturday!  Unfortunately I wasn’t on that entry…

 

That takes a little pressure off knowing that at least half our group will get on.

Congrats!

[act0fgod]

On 7/8/2025 at 3:32 PM, st1800e said:

For the New course, when we were there in April, half the times were held for walkup. But you have to physically go to the starter first thing in the morning to ask and get a time , don’t recall what time that is.  7-8am? 
Ask at the clubhouse in advance when you arrive in town.  

Walking up at noon expecting a time available typically doesn’t work.  

So does this mean eventually the new will turn into the course that people start to campout for?

[tad950]

The New Course seems to have numerous competitions, so i end up playing Jubilee. Which is a nice alternative. The Castle Course is another option. A short cab/car ride. The first couple times I played Castle I absolutely hated it. But I’ve kind of changed my mind about it. My buddy’s caddie told me that some of the greens complexes have been softened up. And  have become more readable. And because caddies from town didn’t want to loop at Castle, they now have their own caddy program. Electric trolleys with gps available. Still a tough walk though. Probably the best views of the St. Andrews courses. Usually not a problem to get on.

Edited July 11 by tad950

[scott_Donald]

5 hours ago, act0fgod said:

So does this mean eventually the new will turn into the course that people start to campout for?

 

Lol, I hope not it isn't that good.....

 

2 hours ago, tad950 said:

The New Course seems to have numerous competitions, so i end up playing Jubilee. Which is a nice alternative. The Castle Course is another option. A short cab/car ride. The first couple times I played Castle I absolutely hated it. But I’ve kind of changed my mind about it. My buddy’s caddie told me that some of the greens complexes have been softened up. And  have become more readable. And because caddies from town didn’t want to loop at Castle, they now have their own caddy program. Electric trolleys with gps available. Still a tough walk though. Probably the best views of the St. Andrews courses. Usually not a problem to get on.

 

Lovely look back at East sands beach from the crest on the Par 4 back to the corner.... 

 

Castle is great tee to green and the greens you scratch your head....

[flognut]

19 hours ago, KUJayhawks said:

Well we’re off to a good start.  One of our foursomes won the ballot for Saturday!  Unfortunately I wasn’t on that entry…

 

That takes a little pressure off knowing that at least half our group will get on.

that is unbelievably lucky, congrats. they should all play the lottery immediately when get home

[Poor Mans Ty Webb]

Walking onto the New/Jubilee can be a bit of a crapshoot from day to day; if there’s an event on the day you try, it could be tough to get a 3 ball, although it seems like they try to keep one open if the other has something going on. 
 

As is often the case, the early bird gets the worm. Be at the starter’s hut before 8am and have some flexibility. Much easier to walk on as a single, as well. I had no trouble when I was there last July (as a single).

 

You can always book in advance and then reroute your plans if you win the 48 hour ballot. Staff is very accommodating. 

[cardia10]

It really seems like they are trying to make the New like the old course used to be by creating the demand and removing the multi day play options. The Old Course has just become a premium experience for those willing to pay the tour operators salaries for the year so they are trying to artificially create demand on the New.

[hammergolf]

On 7/18/2025 at 10:25 AM, cardia10 said:

It really seems like they are trying to make the New like the old course used to be by creating the demand and removing the multi day play options. The Old Course has just become a premium experience for those willing to pay the tour operators salaries for the year so they are trying to artificially create demand on the New.

Sad but true.