A week of links golf in Fife

Is Fife right for you?

If your group wants the Old Course and two more great links without changing hotels, yes. Kingsbarns is 22 minutes from St Andrews and Carnoustie 50. If you need a guaranteed Old Course time, budget for an Authorised Provider package: the ballot is a gamble.

Fly into

Edinburgh (EDI) · 1 h 20 min

Base

St Andrews

Season

April to OctoberOld Course high season 19 Apr–17 Oct 2027

5 days, 3 rounds

$5,350–$6,800 ppexcl. flights · converted from £ · hotels and transport are sample prices

The Old Course ballot

Most visitor tee times on the Old Course are given out by a daily ballot, drawn 48 hours ahead. You can enter for each day of your stay, but there's no guarantee. The other way on is a package from an Authorised Provider, which costs more but is certain.

How

Daily ballot, 48 h ahead · groups of 2–4

Handicap

36 men and women · certificate

Green fee

$510 · high season£380 · 19 Apr–17 Oct 2027

Guaranteed

Authorised Provider package

2027 gaps

No ballot 19 Jun–19 Jul (The Open) and 27 Sep–4 Oct

Our tipPlan a backup round for each ballot day. The New Course is next door, on the same links.

The courses

• The Old CourseSt Andrews · ballot · $240–$510→
• Kingsbarns22 min · daily in season · $575–$790→
• Carnoustie Championship50 min · ≤ 28 M / 36 W · $460–$605→

Drive times from St Andrews. Fees per player in US$, lowest to highest season. Checked 4 Oct 2026.

A suggested five days

The planner's version for May 2027, with visitor days and closures checked against the calendar.

1. 1

   Day 1, MON 3 MAY

   Arrive at Edinburgh Airport, transfer to St Andrews

   Transfer about 1 h 15 min

   Overnight · St Andrews

2. Drive about 5 min · St Andrews → Old Course
3. 2

   Day 2, TUE 4 MAY

   Old Course BallotGreen fee $510Overnight · St AndrewsCourse page →

   • CheckBallot results come only 48 hours ahead; a guaranteed time needs an Authorised Provider package
   • Closed to visitors: Sun · Handicap limit 36, certificate needed · Caddies available
4. Drive about 20 min · St Andrews → Kingsbarns
5. 3

   Day 3, WED 5 MAY

   Kingsbarns Green fee $700Overnight · St AndrewsCourse page →

   • Check2027 tee times opened on 1 June 2026: book soon for peak dates
   • Caddies available
6. Drive about 45 min · St Andrews → Carnoustie
7. 4

   Day 4, THU 6 MAY

   Carnoustie Green fee $605Overnight · St AndrewsCourse page →

   • Handicap limit 28 men / 36 women · Caddies available
8. Drive about 1 h 15 min · St Andrews → Edinburgh Airport
9. 5

   Day 5, FRI 7 MAY

   Transfer to Edinburgh Airport and depart

Where to stay

• St Andrews, Fife

  Old Course Hotel

  5-star resort on the Road Hole, with a spa, eight places to eat and drink, and a package that includes an Old Course round.

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• St Andrews, Fife

  Marine & Lawn Rusacks

  The 1887 golf hotel beside the 18th green, with views of the 1st and 18th fairways and a rooftop restaurant.

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• St Andrews, Fife

  Fairmont St Andrews

  Clifftop resort two miles out of St Andrews with two courses of its own, a spa and four-bedroom Manor Homes for groups.

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• St Andrews, Fife

  Rufflets St Andrews

  A family-owned country house in 10 acres of gardens, five minutes from town, that can book guaranteed Old Course tee times.

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• Carnoustie, Angus

  Carnoustie Golf Hotel & Spa

  96 rooms beside the 1st tee and 18th green of the Championship Course. Reception books Carnoustie's three courses.

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• St Andrews, Fife

  Hotel du Vin St Andrews

  42 rooms on The Scores, a two-minute walk from the R&A clubhouse, with a French bistro and a wine bar.

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