Are you a Single Golfer and want to play St Andrews Old Course?

There must be a minimum of 2 golfers to enter the Daily Ballot

Register on Ballot Buddy and I will match you up with other single golfers so you can enter the ballot together

Ballot Buddy registration is open and active

REGISTER HERE

Sign up on Ballot Buddy for just £10 and enter the dates you are coming to St Andrews

Last minute Advance Guaranteed Tee Time cancellation slots

Occasionally I am informed by my Authorised Provider contacts of last minute Advance Guaranteed Tee Time cancellation slots.

I have secured a last minute guaranteed Old Course tee time for 8 single golfers so far this year (2026). If this is of interest to you be sure to tick the option on the registration form (above).

What you need to know:

  • – The slots go very quickly and are strictly on a first come, first served basis
  • – A second round on a St Andrews Links Trust course is always included – you are not obliged to play but it cannot be removed from the offer of an Old Course Tee Time

Listen to Jarrett’s ‘Last Minute’ Old Course experience

This year 355+ golfers have registered over 860 dates
Over 95% of them have a date match

2026 success!
* 73 golfers have played the Old Course so far this year thanks to Ballot Buddy
* 8 golfers have played the Old Course this year thanks to a ‘last minute’ Advanced Guaranteed Tee time

In 2025:

  • Ballot Buddy helped 65 single golfers play the Old course
    Read some of their reviews
  • Over 300 golfers registered 790+ dates and 95% of them had at least one date match

Since 2019:

  • 387 golfers can tick playing the Old Course off their bucket list, thanks to Ballot Buddy
  • **Over 1100 ballot entries** have been made possible using Ballot Buddy
Ballot Buddy success – Eddie S, June 2024
REGISTER NOW
Ballot Buddy success Louis L July 2026
Ballot Buddy Success – Louis L July 2026

It is the best service ever!!! …. My experience was… UNBELIEVABLE!

Luis L July 2026

The Old Course Ballot Buddy service provided by Chris is the best deal in golf.   He helps make bucket list dreams come true and does it with great service and great communication.

Rodney C

How Ballot Buddy Works

How Ballot Buddy works - infographic

Do you need Ballot Buddy?

YES – if you are a single golfer without an advance guaranteed tee time.
WHY? Because there must be at least 2 golfers on an Old Course ballot application.

What if I score a date match?

As and when you get a date match with a second golfer (or more, up to 4 in total) I will connect you to your Ballot Buddy via email introduction.

What happens next?

It’s down to you and your Ballot Buddy from this point forward.
Submit a joint ballot application by 14:00, 2 days before you wish to play.

More than 4 golfers with a date match?

The first 4 golfers by registration date will be grouped together. Then the next 4, and so on.

“My unique simple-to-use Ballot Buddy service helps you find an Old Course ballot partner so you and your fellow golfer are eligible to submit an Old Course ballot application together”

Chris Toll, Ginger Beer Golf Travel

Check your dates


In 2025 over 95% of registrants had at least 1 date match and could therefore enter the ballot.

StatusAction
Thu, Oct 8 2026102222 groups formed • 2 golfers • 2 spots leftJoin 2 golfers●●●● ×2 ●●○○October2026SHORT NOTICE
Fri, Oct 9 202682042 groups formed • New group startingBe first to join new group●●●● ×2 ○○○○October2026SHORT NOTICE
Sat, Oct 10 202651131 group formed • 1 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●●●● ×1 ●○○○October2026
Mon, Oct 12 202630313 golfers • 1 spot left1 spot left — almost full●●●○October2026
Tue, Oct 13 202641041 group formed • New group startingBe first to join new group●●●● ×1 ○○○○October2026
Wed, Oct 14 202661221 group formed • 2 golfers • 2 spots leftJoin 2 golfers●●●● ×1 ●●○○October2026
Thu, Oct 15 202651131 group formed • 1 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●●●● ×1 ●○○○October2026
Fri, Oct 16 202641041 group formed • New group startingBe first to join new group●●●● ×1 ○○○○October2026
Sat, Oct 17 202620222 golfers • 2 spots leftJoin 2 golfers●●○○October2026
Mon, Oct 19 202630313 golfers • 1 spot left1 spot left — almost full●●●○October2026
Tue, Oct 20 202641041 group formed • New group startingBe first to join new group●●●● ×1 ○○○○October2026
Wed, Oct 21 202630313 golfers • 1 spot left1 spot left — almost full●●●○October2026
Thu, Oct 22 202620222 golfers • 2 spots leftJoin 2 golfers●●○○October2026
Sat, Oct 24 202610131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○October2026
Mon, Oct 26 202620222 golfers • 2 spots leftJoin 2 golfers●●○○October2026
Tue, Oct 27 202630313 golfers • 1 spot left1 spot left — almost full●●●○October2026
Wed, Oct 28 202620222 golfers • 2 spots leftJoin 2 golfers●●○○October2026
Thu, Oct 29 202620222 golfers • 2 spots leftJoin 2 golfers●●○○October2026
Thu, Nov 5 202610131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○November2026
Fri, Nov 6 202610131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○November2026
Tue, Nov 17 202610131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○November2026
Wed, Nov 18 202610131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○November2026
Thu, Nov 19 202610131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○November2026
Fri, Nov 20 202610131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○November2026
Sat, Nov 21 202610131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○November2026
Wed, Mar 31 202710131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○March2027
Thu, Apr 1 202710131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○April2027
Fri, Apr 2 202710131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○April2027
Mon, Apr 12 202720222 golfers • 2 spots leftJoin 2 golfers●●○○April2027
Tue, Apr 13 202710131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○April2027
Wed, Apr 14 202710131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○April2027
Thu, Apr 15 202710131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○April2027
Sat, Apr 17 202710131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○April2027
Sat, Apr 24 202710131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○April2027
Mon, Apr 26 202710131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○April2027
Wed, Apr 28 202710131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○April2027
Fri, May 7 202720222 golfers • 2 spots leftJoin 2 golfers●●○○May2027
Tue, May 25 202710131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○May2027
Wed, May 26 202710131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○May2027
Thu, May 27 202710131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○May2027
Fri, May 28 202710131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○May2027
Wed, Jun 2 202710131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○June2027
Fri, Jun 4 202710131 golfer • 3 spots leftPair up to enter the ballot●○○○June2027
REGISTER NOW

No match or failed in the ballot?

  • You can still use the Singles Daily Draw available the day before your chosen day of play, with a random draw made at 17:00 the same day.
  • Chances of play that day are reliant entirely on gaps on the draw sheet and the number of singles in the draw.
  • At a glance review tee time availability today, tomorrow and in 2 days for over 20 of the best local courses using Last Minute Tee times

I answer more of your queries for Ballot Buddy and the Old Course Ballot below –  Frequently Asked Questions

Ballot buddy reviews – Our Golfers’ Success Stories

Reviews from golfers who have played the Old Course using Ballot Buddy

Ginger Beer Golf Travel
Average rating:  
 41 reviews
 by Lloyd C on Ginger Beer Golf Travel
Ballot Buddy

My trip to Scotland was not a golf trip so I had no expectations to play the Old Course. To my surprise, you made it happen!! I found out about Ballot Buddy once I had arrived in Scotland…what a simple, hassle free experience. You offer a great service, thank you! Originally posted on Facebook...

 by Felix D on Ginger Beer Golf Travel

Thanks to your amazing Ballot Buddy Match, I got to play the Old Course last Friday at 12:00 in perfect weather. After being drawn on Wednesday evening, I flew out of Zurich early Thursday morning and then took the bus to St. Andrews. It was a special experience to play the course with caddies and golfers...

 by Steve P on Ginger Beer Golf Travel
I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I would like to congratulate Ballot Buddy on a terrific service. This was my first opportunity to use the system on my recent trip to St.Andrews. It was a complete success. I listed 4 possible dates to enter the Ballot and was linked up with some really terrific guys. I was lucky enough to win 3 tee...

 by Mark H on Ginger Beer Golf Travel
I highly recommend Ballot Buddy

Going into my trip with my wife to Scotland, I thought the odds of me getting to play The Old Course were minuscule. To my shock, my ballot was selected and I got to fulfill a lifelong dream. I highly recommend Ballot Buddy. Originally posted on Facebook

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Successful Ballot Buddy players on the Old Course

Ben realised his dream of playing the Old Course thanks to Ballot Buddy. Listen to what he has to say:

Reviews from golfers who have played the Old Course using a ‘last minute’ Advance Guaranteed Tee Time cancellation

Jarrett, Zach, Cody & Mitchell registered on Ballot Buddy, and I found them a slot on a ‘last minute’ guaranteed tee time, so they didn’t have to try their luck in the ballot.

Chris Toll, Ginger Beer Golf Travel

Chris, Amazing day at the Old! Shot an 80 with 2 birdies on the first two holes. Thanks again!!!

Jarrett D, May 2026
Zach F, May 2026
Cody C, May 26
Mitchell L, June 26

“Chris single handedly set up the best golfing experience I’d ever had. From the initial consultation and booking process, to following up throughout the service was absolutely sublime. I will absolutely be booking future St Andrew’s experiences through Chris’ service – and would recommend him to all friends and family that would like to experience what I have over the past few days.
Chris, once again, I cannot thank you enough. It was truly a special experience.” Zach F, May 2026

“A huge thank you to Chris with Ginger Beer Golf. Had never been to Scotland before and was really thinking I had no chance at the Old Course but he made it happen!
He was incredibly responsive, especially considering the 7 hour time difference and even advised me on a rental shop that had the exact club setup I have back home.
Thanks so much for everything Chris!!” Cody C, May 2026

“Chris made the whole process seamless from start to finish. From securing a guaranteed Old Course tee time to sorting out check-in details, everything was taken care of. Highly recommend Ginger Beer Golf Travel for anyone looking to play St Andrews.” Mitchell L, June 2026

You can read more Ballot Buddy stories on Facebook, our review page and on Instagram

Ballot Buddy HISTORY & success

“Proudly helping single golfers enter the Old Course ballot since 2019”

Chris Toll, Ginger Beer Golf Travel

2025

  • 65 golfers played the Old Course!
  • 285 golfers registered 710+ dates
  • 96% of golfers found at least 1 date match

2024

  • 47 golfers played the Old Course!
  • 310 golfers registered 710+ dates
  • 95% of golfers found at least 1 date match

2023

  • 75 golfers played the Old Course!
  • 384 golfers registered 852 dates
  • 95% of golfers found at least 1 date match

2019 – 2022

  • 2019
    Ballot Buddy launched and 50 rounds of golf were played on the Old Course in its first year
  • 2020 – 2022
    75 single golfers played the Old Course *

* DESPITE Covid restrictions, course closures for the Open and pent up demand caused by COVID

Frequently Asked Questions

Ballot Buddy questions:

Single golfers are not able to apply for a tee time in the Old Course ballot. Ballot Buddy puts single golfers in touch with each other so that together they can make a joint ballot application for an Old Course tee time.

Ballot Buddy costs £10 to register. This allows you to register up to five Old Course play dates that you’d like to enter the ballot for. Six to ten dates cost an additional £10. If you are planning a long stay in St Andrews and wish to register more than ten dates, please contact me for prices.

You register your details and submit up to five potential play dates. If a date you submit matches a date another single golfer has registered, then I will send a date match email alert to both of you, sharing each other’s contact details. You then get in direct contact with your match – your Ballot Buddy – and decide who will make your joint Old Course ballot application when the time arrives.

No, not necessarily. You can have a different Ballot Buddy for each day you have a date match. Furthermore, for any date that you have a match you can have up to three other Ballot Buddies. Up to four golfers can apply together for a time in the ballot so potentially I will add more golfers to your group until there are four of you; at which point your group will be closed and you will make your ballot application as a foursome.

No, I just hook single golfers up who share the same preferred play dates. It’s down to you and your Ballot Buddy to make the ballot application directly with St Andrews Links Trust.

Register on Ballot Buddy all the days you are available to play to get as many date matches as you can (a date match is when at least one other single golfer has registered the same date as you). 

The way the ballot is drawn, if you limit your availability on your ballot application you will limit your chances of success. So to maximise everyone’s chances Ballot Buddy assumes you are available to play at any time on any day that you register. 

However, I still suggest you register the day on which your time is limited, but submit your group ballot application without any time limitations attached. If you are successful in the ballot and are offered a time which happens to be within your play window, then everyone wins. If you are successful but the time offered is outside your play window then your Ballot Buddies still get to play, even if you are not available. This is the fairest way to give most people the best chance of success.

You are receiving a warning because you are registering at the last minute (less than 3 days before your preferred play date).

Ballot applications must be submitted by 14:00 2 days before your play date. So please be aware that there is only a limited amount of time available to process your registration and hook you up with your Ballot Buddies before the ballot application window closes.

Your Ballot Buddies may have already submitted an application, or the ballot may have already closed. 

Please see: “I’ve registered at the last minute; I have a date match, but my Ballot Buddies have already submitted a ballot application” below for more information.

The ballot closes strictly at 14:00 two days ahead of play date. If they have entered the ballot and the window to apply is now closed there is unfortunately nothing that can be done. 

If they have entered the ballot but the application window is still open then you should give them the required details (your name, home club and handicap) as soon as you receive the date match email from me sharing their contact details. 

You should then ask whoever submitted the original ballot application to call St Andrews Links Trust (SALT) on +44 1334 466666 and ask them to add your details to the application. This frequently happens and is standard procedure for SALT. 

However, please understand that at such short notice it may not always be possible to complete this process in time.

Sure. Just let me know and I will update the database. Also, as a courtesy to them, be sure to let your Ballot Buddies know that you are not available to join them on your ballot application. 

However, if your withdrawal leaves a single golfer unable to make a ballot application, then as a courtesy to that single golfer, you should consider not withdrawing but instead proceed to make a ballot application. If your joint ballot application is successful, you do not have to turn up and play, and you won’t get charged. You just need to tell your Ballot Buddy that you don’t intend to play. And with the ballot result coming out 2 days ahead of play, you may still find a way of altering your plans again so as to make that tee time.

You could continue to apply in subsequent ballots and if successful have the luxury of deciding which date you prefer to play. You may have a preference based on the time of your tee time, or the weather forecast maybe. If you’re happy with your original tee time and prefer to withdraw from future applications just let me and your Ballot Buddies know.

However, if there are only two of you matched on a given day, such that your withdrawal would leave a single golfer unable to make a ballot application, then as a courtesy to that single golfer, you should consider not withdrawing. If you are successful a second time you do not have to turn up and play, and you won’t get charged. You just need to tell your Ballot Buddy that you don’t intend to play. Then again, you might decide having played the course once that you’d like to play it once more!

When you check in with the starter (20 minutes or so before your tee time) simply tell him that your playing partner is unable to join you.

There are many genuine reasons why someone doesn’t turn up – they could be ill or injured, they could be called away in an emergency, they might not like the weather forecast, the tee time might be too early/late, they may have got another time in the ballot, they may have played it before and decide they don’t feel the need/want the expense of playing it again. Their absence shouldn’t prejudice your ability to play.

Keep trying, it costs nothing to enter! The more days you enter the more chance you have of getting lucky at least once.

You’ll know two days ahead if you have been unsuccessful. You could use the Singles Daily Draw, available the day before your chosen day of play, with a random draw made at 17:00 the same day.

Otherwise, since there may be many other disappointed golfers, hurry to book a last-minute tee time at another course. Ginger Beer offers a free to use service which identifies up to date tee time availability at the best local courses when the ballot results come out, allowing you to click-through to make a booking. Check out Last Minute Tee Times

St Andrews Old Course Ballot questions:

It’s a lottery that is drawn two days ahead of play to allow golfers without an advance tee time the chance of playing the Old Course. There are two types of ballot: open and local. The open ballot is for golfers visiting St Andrews whilst the local ballot is restricted to local ‘Links ticketholders’ and therefore unavailable to the public. Ballot Buddy offers you the chance to apply in the open ballot.

It’s available most days of the week but never on Sundays when the course is closed to the public. Check other dates when the ballot is unavailable or partially restricted by checking out the busy dates calendar here so you avoid registering dates that are unavailable.

It costs nothing to enter the ballot. You only pay if you are successful in the ballot and you turn up on the day of play, when you pay the green fee to the starter.

You can enter as many days as you wish, regardless of whether you have already been successful or not. But take note, you can only apply once each day; if your name appears on more than one ballot application on the same day then all your applications will be voided (along with the names of anyone else on your applications).

There are no official figures provided by St Andrews Links Trust. I have done my own analysis and in pre-Covid normal years (2018 & 2109) it was on average around a 1 in 5 chance of success. Since 2022, with more golfers returning post-Covid, there is greater demand but no increase in supply. So, by my estimation, in the last few years it is on average more like a 1 in 10 daily chance of success.

Yes, absolutely. It costs nothing to enter and the more days you enter the more likely you are to be successful at least once. There is no prioritisation, so you have the same chance as anyone else of having your application card picked out. Get lucky in the ballot and you get to play the Old Course two days later for the standard green fee rate of just £320 in 2024 high season.

Theoretically there may be a slight advantage in applying as a 2 ball, as every alternate tee time that a two ball gets picked on may get filled with another two ball. But, in my opinion, it doesn’t make a significant difference what size your group is, and shouldn’t dictate your application strategy. St Andrews Links Trust does not fill tee times based on quotas of 2 ball, 3 ball and 4 ball application cards. All successful cards are drawn at random from the same pile so if your card gets picked and you are a three or four ball you will be allotted the next available tee time and if you are a two ball, you may be allotted two remaining slots on an earlier tee time or the next available tee time. 

You can apply direct to St Andrews Links Trust. Details here.

You need to apply two days ahead of play, before 14:00. For example to play on a Thursday you should apply in the window from when the ballot opens around 14:15 on Monday and before it closes at 14:00 on Tuesday. You do not have to apply immediately the ballot opens as it is not first come, first served.

Ballot results are published around 16:30 the same afternoon, a few hours after the application window closes. You can view results here.

further resources

Old Course Ballot

What are your chances and how you can improve the odds.

Read more

Failed in the ballot?

How to maximise your chances of play as a single golfer.

Read more

Last Minute Tee Times

Check out the best courses in and around St Andrews. View tee times TODAY, TOMORROW and in 2 DAYS

Read more

How can you get a tee time on the Old Course?

Read my in-depth guide to maximising your chances of securing an Old Course tee time.

Read more

How to plan your golf trip to St Andrews

Everything you need to know about planning your trip to St Andrews.

Read more

How do other courses compare to the Old Course?

Compare the difficulty of 30 courses in the area and see what you might expect to score.

Read more