St Andrews scraps famous Old Course tee times queue

A new way of getting a coveted tee time on the Old Course at St Andrews has been introduced.

Previously, single golfers after a game on the iconic links were forced to queue outside the starter’s hut prior to play.

But it has been replaced by a new ‘safer’ and more ‘equal’ system, after the previous solution often left golfers queuing overnight for more than 12 hours in inclement conditions.

Formalised in the 1990s to cater for single walk ups, the now famous tradition became a beacon for hope among those who fancied their chances of securing a tee time on golf’s most sacred ground.

However, like most things these days, it has gone online.

bunkered.co.uk reached out to the St Andrews Links Trust, who said: “The singles queue had essentially become unmanageable with golfers queuing overnight, often in inclement conditions.

“The new daily draw is much safer and gives an equal opportunity to all single golfers who want to play.”

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A new singles daily draw, which is set to be introduced from March 12, 2024, will provide a modern solution to the current in-person queuing system.

Ultimately, it will give golfers the chance to secure a tee time with existing groups of two or three pre-booked golfers.

Golfers will have to enter their details in person at the Old Pavilion next to the first tee of the Old Course, or St Andrews Links Clubhouse between 9am-5pm the day before they wish to play.

A randomised draw will then take place at 5pm with golfers being notified by text message and email whether they have been allocated a tee time for the following day.

“We are excited to introduce the new digital solution for the Old Course Singles Daily Draw, which makes securing a tee time as a single golfer at the Home of Golf safer, more equitable and ultimately a more enjoyable experience,” Neil Coulson, the Chief Executive of St Andrews Links Trust, said in a statement.

“The significant growth in the number of golfers utilising the singles queue in the past decade has been such that we felt it was impacting the customer experience and becoming increasingly challenging for our dedicated team to manage expectations.

“For many golfers, playing the Old Course is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and the new singles daily draw will ensure golfers successful in securing a tee time can enjoy the experience having had a good night’s sleep while maintaining the practice of allowing single golfers to join pre-existing groups of two or three.”

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To protect the intention of the original singles queue, the new draw maintains the requirement for a golfer to be in St Andrews in person.

A photograph will be taken by the tablet device when entering the draw, to ensure that only the golfers themselves can enter, as well as eliminating the opportunity for multiple entries on the same day.

While only one entry is accepted per individual per day, golfers can enter for as many consecutive days as they wish.

Golfers who are unsuccessful in the first instance with securing a tee time will receive a specific number on the waiting list and may be contacted on the morning of the day of play should there be a possibility of a late-notice tee time.

Meanwhile, the Old Course ballot system, which caters for groups of two, three of four golfers, is drawn 48-hours in advance and is not impacted by the new singles daily draw.

The Old Course ballot can still be entered online, prior to 2pm two days before the intended date of play.

For a full list of ways to play the Old Course, visit the St Andrews Links Trust website.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.