Ask what a private golf tour of St Andrews costs and you'll get anything from a couple of hundred pounds to several thousand. The price depends mostly on whether you want to walk the history, play the courses, or both. This guide breaks down each part of the cost so you can build a realistic budget before you book anything.
A lot of visitors don't actually need tee times. A private guided walk covers the Old Course, the Swilcan Bridge, the R&A clubhouse from the outside, the Himalayas putting green and the stories of Old Tom Morris. For a small private group this usually costs somewhere between £150 and £400 for two to three hours. The main things that change the price are group size, the length of the walk and whether it runs on a weekend in peak season.
A playing tour is a different kind of trip. The tour fee pays for planning, transport and a host, and green fees, caddies and accommodation come on top. That's where budgets grow quickly, so it helps to decide early which kind of trip you're after.
Most private golf tours in and around St Andrews are built from the same few pieces. Here are typical ranges to plan with. Always check current rates, because the courses review their fees every year.
If playing the Old Course is the goal, keep in mind that a guaranteed tee time almost always has to be bought as part of a premium package, and those can cost several thousand pounds per person. The cheaper route is the daily ballot, which is drawn 48 hours ahead and only open to golfers with a valid handicap certificate. There's also a singles queue at the starter's hut, where people often turn up before dawn.
A sensible private tour plans around this. It fixes tee times on other good local courses and then enters the ballot as a bonus. That way the trip stays worthwhile even if the draw doesn't go your way, and you're not paying a large premium for one round.
These are rough guides, not quotes. Your final figure will depend on dates, group size and which courses you choose.
Travelling in April, May or late September to October can save a fair amount, because shoulder season rates are lower and the town is quieter. A group of four sharing one vehicle and one host brings the cost per person down a lot compared with a couple travelling alone.
When you ask for a quote, find out exactly what's included: fuel, waiting time, caddie tips, lunch and cancellation terms. A private tour that seems cheap can end up costing more once extras are added, and a clear, itemised quote is the easiest way to compare like with like.
Yes, on most Sundays the Old Course is closed for golf and open to the public to walk. You can also walk to the Swilcan Bridge and the 18th green from the town on other days, as long as play isn't interrupted.
You'll need a valid handicap certificate for the Old Course. The maximum is usually 24 for men and 36 for women. Several of the other Links Trust courses, such as the Strathtyrum and Balgove, have more relaxed rules and suit beginners.
For summer trips that include tee times, booking six to twelve months ahead is sensible, because the popular courses fill early. A heritage walk without golf can often be arranged a few weeks before, although peak weekends go quickly.
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