How Much Is It to Play St Andrews? 2026 Green Fees & Booking Guide

There is no single price tag for playing at St Andrews, the home of golf. The cost depends entirely on which course you choose and how lucky your dice roll goes. If you are dreaming of the Old Course, you are looking at roughly £75 if you win the ballot, or upwards of £300 if you hire a local caddie agency to secure a tee time. For the other courses managed by the same trust, prices range from £40 to £180 depending on the season and demand.

I’ve spent enough time in Scotland talking to locals and analyzing booking systems to know that planning this trip requires more than just a credit card. You need strategy. Below is the breakdown of exactly what it costs to play every course at the Links Trust, plus the hidden expenses that often catch tourists off guard.

The Old Course: The Lottery vs. The Sure Thing

The The Old Course at St Andrews is the most famous golf course in the world, known for its double greens and Swilken Bridge. is not like a regular golf club where you pay and play. Access is controlled through two main methods: the daily ballot and third-party agencies.

If you enter the Old Course Ballot, the entry fee is free. You can enter online or in person. If you win, the green fee is approximately £75 per person (plus VAT). This price has remained relatively stable compared to private clubs, but it does not include your caddie. On the Old Course, you must have a caddie. Their fee is around £60-£70, plus a tip. So, a realistic budget for one round via the ballot is closer to £140-£150 per player.

Winning the ballot is rare. Your odds are roughly 1 in 50. Most visitors do not want to risk missing out. Instead, they use agencies like Scottish Golf Holidays or Links Golf Tours. These companies hold reserved slots. In 2026, expect to pay between £300 and £450 per person for a guaranteed tee time through an agency. This usually includes the green fee and sometimes the caddie service, but always check the fine print.

Costs for Other St Andrews Links Courses

You don’t have to play the Old Course to experience world-class links golf. The St Andrews Links Trust manages seven other courses. Here is how much they cost in 2026:

Note that these prices are for walk-only players. If you rent a trolley, add another £15-£20. The New Course and Juniors are often considered better tests of golf than the Old Course, yet they cost less than half the price of an agency-booked Old Course round.

Hidden Costs: Caddies, Trolleys, and Travel

When calculating "how much it costs," many people forget the mandatory extras. At St Andrews, the culture is walking. Buggies are generally prohibited on the Old Course and restricted on others during peak times.

• Caddie Fees: Mandatory on the Old Course (£60+), optional but recommended on the New Course and Juniors (£40-£50).
• Trolley Rental: Electric trolleys are essential for the other six courses. Budget £15-£25 per day.
• Travel: Flying into Edinburgh Airport or Glasgow Airport is standard. A train to Leuchars (the nearest station to St Andrews) costs about £20-£30 return from Edinburgh. From there, you need a taxi or shuttle to the town, adding another £10-£15.
• Accommodation: St Andrews is expensive. Expect to pay £150-£300 per night for a mid-range hotel during summer. Book months in advance.

Booking Strategy: How to Save Money

If the idea of paying £400 for a single round makes you wince, here is how to optimize your budget while still getting the full experience.

1. Play in Shoulder Season: May and September offer similar weather conditions to July but with lower green fees and easier accommodation bookings. The grass is softer, and the crowds are thinner.
2. Mix and Match: Enter the Old Course ballot every morning. If you lose, play the New Course or Eden later that day. You get two rounds of world-class golf for the price of one premium round.
3. Avoid Agencies if Possible: If you are flexible, try staying in St Andrews for 3-4 days and entering the ballot each morning. Persistence pays off. Many players win on their second or third attempt.
4. Book Online Early: For the non-Old courses, book your tee times up to 6 weeks in advance via the official St Andrews Links website. Last-minute bookings are often sold out or priced higher.

Is It Worth the Price?

Let’s be honest. Playing the Old Course is expensive when you factor in travel, lodging, and potential agency fees. But you are not just paying for 18 holes. You are paying for history. Walking across Swilken Bridge and seeing the castle in the background is a moment that justifies the cost for most golfers.

However, if your goal is simply great golf, the New Course offers a tougher layout for a fraction of the hassle. I recommend budgeting at least £1,500 per person for a 3-day trip including accommodation, food, and one round on the Old Course via ballot (or two on other courses). If you go through an agency for the Old Course, bump that budget to £2,500+.