St. Andrews Trip - Ballot Advice

[KUJayhawks]

4 days till we head STA on and we’ll be spending a total of 9 days in the area.  We have 7 rounds booked and would be happy to shuffle them around if we hook a time at The Old Course.  We have two Foursomes and plan to enter the ballot every day.  Everything I’ve read is that Open Ballot times are pretty scarce these days…. 
 

I’ve been following the results and this week there have been 14, 12 and 14 through Wednesday.  Not a lot for what I’m guessing is a ton of entries.  I hear there are more available in the afternoons on Thursdays and about double the amount on Saturdays.

 

For those who have done this a ton of times, what are the odds of getting on with 9 days to enter?  Should we split our entries into 4 twosomes?  At what point do we start trying the singles ballot?

 

Other courses we have booked are:

 

Eden (day of arrival)

Elie

Crail - Balcomie

Kingsbarns

Jubilee

Castle

Dumbarnie

 

I’ll probably add a few along the way like Panmure, Lundin or New.

 

Thanks in advance,

Dave

 

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, KUJayhawks said:

4 days till we head STA on and we’ll be spending a total of 9 days in the area.  We have 7 rounds booked and would be happy to shuffle them around if we hook a time at The Old Course.  We have two Foursomes and plan to enter the ballot every day.  Everything I’ve read is that Open Ballot times are pretty scarce these days…. 
 

I’ve been following the results and this week there have been 14, 12 and 14 through Wednesday.  Not a lot for what I’m guessing is a ton of entries.  I hear there are more available in the afternoons on Thursdays and about double the amount on Saturdays.

 

For those who have done this a ton of times, what are the odds of getting on with 9 days to enter?  Should we split our entries into 4 twosomes?  At what point do we start trying the singles ballot?

 

Other courses we have booked are:

 

Eden (day of arrival)

Elie

Crail - Balcomie

Kingsbarns

Jubilee

Castle

Dumbarnie

 

I’ll probably add a few along the way like Panmure, Lundin or New.

 

Thanks in advance,

Dave

 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the chances of two foursomes getting on TOC is right there with winning the powerball. @Yoshifan151 just got back and I believe he went 0 for 8. I would highly recommend adding Lundin.

Edited July 8 by hammergolf

[Greg_egg]

5 hours ago, KUJayhawks said:

4 days till we head STA on and we’ll be spending a total of 9 days in the area.  We have 7 rounds booked and would be happy to shuffle them around if we hook a time at The Old Course.  We have two Foursomes and plan to enter the ballot every day.  Everything I’ve read is that Open Ballot times are pretty scarce these days…. 
 

I’ve been following the results and this week there have been 14, 12 and 14 through Wednesday.  Not a lot for what I’m guessing is a ton of entries.  I hear there are more available in the afternoons on Thursdays and about double the amount on Saturdays.

 

For those who have done this a ton of times, what are the odds of getting on with 9 days to enter?  Should we split our entries into 4 twosomes?  At what point do we start trying the singles ballot?

 

Other courses we have booked are:

 

Eden (day of arrival)

Elie

Crail - Balcomie

Kingsbarns

Jubilee

Castle

Dumbarnie

 

I’ll probably add a few along the way like Panmure, Lundin or New.

 

Thanks in advance,

Dave

 

 

Single ballot is approx. 1 in 7 I was told when there. Getting two foursomes on is going to be difficult. You're going to have to work it out with your travelling companions as to what everyone is comfortable doing.

 

There will also be slightly fewer tee times on these dates:

 

[st1800e]

Splitting into two players vs four will improve your chances.   We were there recently and got on through the singles 1 day ballot, no luck on the 48 hour ballot.   

[KUJayhawks]

Man, has it really gotten that bad?  My Father in Law went just pre-covid and they told him that as long as he had 3-4 days to enter the ballot, he wouldn't have much issue getting on and did.  I guess I would have thought with 9 days of ballots, our odds would be pretty good.  And just for clarification, we aren't planning on both 4somes getting on the same day.  We'll be as flexible as possible with shuffling courses around, entering as twosomes or even singles.

 

I'm curious what impact all the nearby sporting activities will have on the ballot.  Wimbledon in London, Scottish open this weekend and the Open in Ireland next weekend.  Not sure if that will draw people away from STA during those events or just bring more activity.

 

We might have to entertain the idea of entering the singles and open ballot each day.

[Yoshifan151]

10 hours ago, hammergolf said:

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the chances of two foursomes getting on TOC is right there with winning the powerball. @Yoshifan151 just got back and I believe he went 0 for 8. I would highly recommend adding Lundin.

Yup, 0/8 on 2 day and 0/12 for singles. You might as well apply for singles every day just to maximize your possible chances. I wish you good luck!

 

Panmure, Lundin, and New are all great and well worth playing.

[dcmidnight]

I would say at this point its near zero for a foursome. On our trip back in 2018 we were told oh you have such a good chance in 7 days, you'll definitely get on. Turns out even back then the chance of a foursome was near zero - even with no events or big groups that week.

 

I'd assume your chance is zero and make your plans accordingly.

[hammergolf]

44 minutes ago, KUJayhawks said:

Man, has it really gotten that bad?  My Father in Law went just pre-covid and they told him that as long as he had 3-4 days to enter the ballot, he wouldn't have much issue getting on and did.  I guess I would have thought with 9 days of ballots, our odds would be pretty good.  And just for clarification, we aren't planning on both 4somes getting on the same day.  We'll be as flexible as possible with shuffling courses around, entering as twosomes or even singles.

 

I'm curious what impact all the nearby sporting activities will have on the ballot.  Wimbledon in London, Scottish open this weekend and the Open in Ireland next weekend.  Not sure if that will draw people away from STA during those events or just bring more activity.

 

We might have to entertain the idea of entering the singles and open ballot each day.

Unfortunately, yes it’s that bad. The new policies they have implemented have drastically cut the amount of times they are allocating to the so called “random” 48 hr ballot draws. In the past about 40% of times were given to open ballots on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Now, the number of spots is around half that. In addition on Thursdays and Saturdays 50% of the times were allocated to open ballot, now it’s less than half that. There has been a definite move from their management to push golfers to authorized providers, and they’ve made the singles option almost unattainable. They have increased the number of golfers entering by taking away the que, AND limited the number of spots. 

[jatrain]

I went 0/5 on both the ballot and singles in September.  I'd also suggest hitting the singles draw starting from day 1.  It's pure luck as to whether you'll get on or not. Whether or not you get on the Old you'll have great trip with that list of courses.  I loved both Elie and Crail.  St. Andrew's the town itself is great, walking Market and South Streets actually reminds me a little bit of a much older Mass St and downtown Lawrence.  Just an awesome vibe.  

 

Rock Chalk!  I'm a 2001 grad. 

[KUJayhawks]

2 hours ago, jatrain said:

I went 0/5 on both the ballot and singles in September.  I'd also suggest hitting the singles draw starting from day 1.  It's pure luck as to whether you'll get on or not. Whether or not you get on the Old you'll have great trip with that list of courses.  I loved both Elie and Crail.  St. Andrew's the town itself is great, walking Market and South Streets actually reminds me a little bit of a much older Mass St and downtown Lawrence.  Just an awesome vibe.  

 

Rock Chalk!  I'm a 2001 grad. 

Yeah, we'll have a great trip regardless.  I've found that with golf trips, it's more the company you play with than the course itself.  Going with my Dad and Father In Law so it will be memorable either way.  TOC would be a nice cherry on top, though...

[KUJayhawks]

Also,  any other courses that aren’t on our list that would be worth checking out.  Besides what I’ve mentioned (Lundin, Panmure, Craighead, New)?  
 

If we can get on Royal Aberdeen is that worth the 2 hour trek over the ones mentioned?  Trump International is up that way too…

[McMunch]

Everything you are looking at is in Fife or close. In that area that you don't have on your list is Leven, Duke's and and a special- Kingarrock. 9 holes. Hickory Clubs. Didn't play it on previous trips but will next year. Might be fun.

Make sure you get your Dads on the Himalaya's. That's the putting course in St A. Cheap and fun. Don't need reservations.

 

Panmure is over the Tay River and near Carnoustie- maybe an hour or so drive from St. A. If you're going up that way Panmure is great, obviously Carnoustie Championship (that will be a tough time to get) Carnoustie Burnside and Monifieth. Played all 4 and can highly recommend. 

 

The other pro tip is make reservations for all dinners in St. A. Places fill up fast. 

 

[st1800e]

11 hours ago, KUJayhawks said:

If we can get on Royal Aberdeen is that worth the 2 hour trek over the ones mentioned?  

Yes.  

[scott_Donald]

On 7/8/2025 at 2:19 PM, KUJayhawks said:

Man, has it really gotten that bad?  My Father in Law went just pre-covid and they told him that as long as he had 3-4 days to enter the ballot, he wouldn't have much issue getting on and did.  I guess I would have thought with 9 days of ballots, our odds would be pretty good.  And just for clarification, we aren't planning on both 4somes getting on the same day.  We'll be as flexible as possible with shuffling courses around, entering as twosomes or even singles.

 

I'm curious what impact all the nearby sporting activities will have on the ballot.  Wimbledon in London, Scottish open this weekend and the Open in Ireland next weekend.  Not sure if that will draw people away from STA during those events or just bring more activity.

 

We might have to entertain the idea of entering the singles and open ballot each day.

both my places are busy. 
 

8 hours ago, st1800e said:

Yes.  

 

20 hours ago, KUJayhawks said:

Also,  any other courses that aren’t on our list that would be worth checking out.  Besides what I’ve mentioned (Lundin, Panmure, Craighead, New)?  
 

If we can get on Royal Aberdeen is that worth the 2 hour trek over the ones mentioned?  Trump International is up that way too…

it was great yesterday. Southeasterly 15mph wind. Greens are slightly slower this week but they are so much better than dumbarnies were 3 weeks ago. North Berwick greens are not as good either, friend I played with yesterday played NB on Sunday. 

 

I have no idea how easy it is to get on but I know yesterday was not busy at all for visitors, tomorrow is busy as I was going to try play a few holes early but not bothering.

 

It is not two hours. 1 hour 38 to my house and I am 15 from the course but going thru town would be quicker. I travel a lot between st Andrews and Aberdeen, easy drive when on a90, cruise control at 73 and let the car drive itself(no Tesla).

 

 

[KUJayhawks]

14 hours ago, McMunch said:

Everything you are looking at is in Fife or close. In that area that you don't have on your list is Leven, Duke's and and a special- Kingarrock. 9 holes. Hickory Clubs. Didn't play it on previous trips but will next year. Might be fun.

Make sure you get your Dads on the Himalaya's. That's the putting course in St A. Cheap and fun. Don't need reservations.

 

Panmure is over the Tay River and near Carnoustie- maybe an hour or so drive from St. A. If you're going up that way Panmure is great, obviously Carnoustie Championship (that will be a tough time to get) Carnoustie Burnside and Monifieth. Played all 4 and can highly recommend. 

 

The other pro tip is make reservations for all dinners in St. A. Places fill up fast. 

 

We are definitely planning on doing Kingarrock one of the mornings or an off day.  Looks like a blast.

 

I think we’re going to stay close and play Lundin either Wednesday or Thursday.

 

We have dinner reservations on 6 of the nights.  I figure the group will want a few nights to wander.

[Greg_egg]

On 7/9/2025 at 11:15 AM, KUJayhawks said:

Also,  any other courses that aren’t on our list that would be worth checking out.  Besides what I’ve mentioned (Lundin, Panmure, Craighead, New)?  
 

If we can get on Royal Aberdeen is that worth the 2 hour trek over the ones mentioned?  Trump International is up that way too…

 

If you're wiling to go up Aberdeen way, Cruden Bay.

 

I played Royal Aberdeen, was really fun and a nice course.