St Andrews Golf Courses Open to the Public with Discounted Green Fees
In a move aimed at widening access to Scotland’s most iconic golf courses, St Andrews Links Trust has announced a promotional period offering discounted green fees to visitors. The initiative, set to begin on May 21, will see significant reductions in green fees across three courses, including the world-renowned Old Course.
According to the BBC, rounds on the neighbouring Castle course will cost £22.50, down from £180, during the promotional period. Green fees on the Jubilee course will be £18.75, reduced from £150, while players can tee off on the Eden course for £9.50, down from £75. This move is expected to make Scotland’s most iconic courses more accessible to a wider audience, including local residents and tourists.
The Old Course at St Andrews is widely regarded as the home of golf, with the sport having been played there since the 15th century. As the BBC reports, it hosts the Open Championship every five years, with the next staging planned for 2027. The course is one of seven that can be accessed with an annual Links ticket, which costs £386 for people living in St Andrews.
The discounted green fees initiative is part of St Andrews Links Trust’s efforts to widen access to golf. As the BBC quotes Neil Coulson, chief executive of St Andrews Links Trust, "Golf has become increasingly popular in recent years and with this demand for our courses has surged to unprecedented levels." Coulson added that the trust will continue to ensure that ticket holders and visitors have the best experience possible while making sure that one of the country’s most precious golfing assets is available for the public.
The promotional period will see eleven reduced-fee tee times made available on the Old Course on the first day of the initiative. Players will have to sign up in a two-ball ballot, with successful applicants then being paired up and allocated a tee time. This move has been welcomed by golf enthusiasts, including former European Tour player Alan Tait. As the BBC reports, Tait said, "It makes me proud that there is that demand that people from all over the world want to come to our beautiful country and play these amazing golf courses."
However, Tait also cautioned that care must be taken to avoid over-commercialisation and ensure that Scottish people can still afford to play on their own courses. This sentiment is echoed by the St Andrews Links Trust, which aims to balance the needs of tourists and local residents. In comparison, the most expensive golf course to play in Scotland is currently Trump Turnberry, which, from June, will charge up to £1,000 for a round.
The discounted green fees initiative is a significant development in the golfing world, particularly in Scotland. As the BBC notes, this move is set to make Scotland’s iconic golf courses more accessible to a wider audience, while also ensuring that the country’s rich golfing heritage is preserved for future generations. With this promotional period, St Andrews Links Trust is taking a significant step towards achieving its goal of widening access to golf.
