St Andrews is making a bold move to make its world-famous Old Course more accessible to Scottish golfers by drastically cutting green fees to just £42.50 per round. This decision is aimed at giving local players a fair chance to experience one of the sport’s most historic courses.
From May through October, 179 tee times will be available at the reduced rate, making it possible for 716 Scottish golfers to play the Old Course at an 87.5% discount compared to the standard high-season green fees, which currently stand at £340.
Making St Andrews Accessible to Scots
This move marks a significant step toward making golf more affordable for local players. St Andrews Links Trust is keen to ensure that Scotland’s golfing heritage remains open to all, not just tourists and high-paying visitors. With the £42.50 offer, the course’s prestigious reputation is still intact, but it’s now within reach of more than just the international elite.
In addition to the Old Course, green fees at St Andrews’ other courses are also being slashed during the promotional period. The Castle Course will be available for just £22.50, down from £180, while the Jubilee and Eden courses will cost £18.75 and £9.50, respectively, during this special deal.
This initiative provides an affordable way for Scottish golfers to experience the iconic courses at St Andrews, which is widely regarded as the “home of golf” and has been hosting the sport since the 15th century.
A Unique Opportunity for Scottish Golfers
The reduced fees are part of an initiative to increase accessibility to Scotland’s most iconic courses, and for residents of St Andrews, the news is even better. They are already eligible for an annual Links ticket that grants access to all seven courses in the area for just £386 — an attractive proposition for golf lovers who live locally.
St Andrews’ commitment to expanding access reflects the sport’s growing popularity, particularly among younger players. With interest surging, demand for tee times at the Old Course has reached unprecedented levels, and this move is a way to balance demand with the need to preserve the heritage of the location.
The Practicalities: Booking and Availability
The 179 discounted tee times will be available between May and October, and on the very first day of the initiative — May 21st — 11 reduced-fee tee times will be made available. Golfers will need to sign up through a ballot system in two-ball pairs, and successful applicants will then be paired up and allocated a tee time.
The move has already received praise from golfing professionals, with Alan Tait, a former European Tour player, supporting the initiative. He emphasized the importance of making the iconic courses more accessible to local players without pricing out international visitors, particularly those from the US.
“It’s fantastic that there’s such demand from golfers around the world to come and play these amazing courses,” said Tait. “But we need to strike a balance so that Scottish players can still afford to play their own courses without losing that international appeal.”
The Price of Prestige: Why This Matters
While St Andrews is cutting green fees, other courses in Scotland are going the opposite direction. Trump Turnberry, for example, will be charging up to £1,000 for a round starting this summer, making it the most expensive course in Scotland. In contrast, the St Andrews initiative shows a concerted effort to keep the game open and accessible to local enthusiasts, regardless of their financial means.
The idea of making golf more accessible is not just about opening the gates of a famous course. It’s also about embracing the growing popularity of the sport across Scotland, where golfing culture is deeply woven into the fabric of everyday life. By introducing this initiative, St Andrews Links Trust hopes to inspire a new generation of golfers and ensure that its historic courses remain within reach for everyone.
