An Overview: There are several ways to secure a St Andrews Old Course tee time: DIY: #1 Private Advance Tee Times You can make a direct application to St Andrews Links Trust in the year prior to when you wish to play. #2 Daily Ballot The ballot is a lottery based allocation of Old Course tee times by St Andrews Links Trust that takes place two days before you wish to play. #3 Walk Up Arrive early in the morning and queue down at the Old Pavilion by the Old Course on the day you wish to play. Read St Andrews Old Course as a Single Golfer: your chances of play for more information. OR #4 Commercial Tee times Some operators, known as Authorised Providers, have agreements in place giving them access to a limited number of guaranteed Old Course tee times from St Andrews Links Trust.   Prices are more expensive than going the DIY route, but by using a tour operator package, you are paying a premium to enjoy the certainty of a tee time so that you can book your time off work, flights etc. many months in advance. Read my extensive report on these 4 options, plus updates for the impact of Covid on tee time availability: 4 Ways to Guarantee Success