Bummer though to be there and not get picked in the new lottery. Was hoping to camp out and get on someday.

nice. I'll be there in August and missed out on the selection so will have to try this.

The only time I played there i had one day available and showed up at 4am to make it happen, this is going to make it really hard for people who aren't staying close to the town

Lame. I have great memories of lining up at 3 AM.

Probably my best golf memory is getting there at 2am to make sure I was first in line.

What???

Quote:

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Secure a more readily available time through a winter package

Though many of the nearly 50,000 rounds of golf played each year at the Old Course are played during the summer months (known as "high season"), St. Andrews offers a winter package for those willing to play between November and March. Starting in June, groups of two to 16 can apply to play that winter. If accepted, the package includes three rounds of golf, including one guaranteed round at the Old Course and a round at two of the other seven St. Andrews courses of your choosing. One caveat is that from November through March on the Old Course, golfers must use mats when hitting off the fairways to protect against divot damage. But, a willingness to use mats and brave colder temperatures (winter high temps average in the mid 40s) can land you a deal: While the Old Course costs 270 (about $323) to play from April to October, the winter packageincluding three rounds of golfis just over $200. As for current availability for this coming winter, the winter packages appear to be available for December and January.

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And yeah I lined up at 1AM once and still hold it as a very special golfing memory.

Bummed because I was hoping to go in a couple years and already told the wife we were going to spend a few days there just so I could queue up to get a time. Now you could be SOL with this lottery.

6am for me in March. Kinda sad.

So..... what am I missing here with all you fella's lamenting this change?

I understand many don't like changes and the nostalgia of "good" times play a role here...but isn't this a change for a better process? And if you have done it before, nothing and no one can take away the fond memories that's forever etched in you.

After A&M, I moved to Los Angeles where I couldn't get tee times on weekends as they had a system for local seniors and the regulars the first dib at morning tee times. I'd have to get to the course at 5:30AM and wait in line to put my name on the waiting list...and then putt...hit balls, chip...eat...walk back to the proshop and glance at the waiting list to see how many have been crossed out as the proshop staff glared at me with displeasure.. only to have my name called at 10:45 to check in and get paired up to play a 6 hour round. Oh Joy.

Why would I want to lose sleep and wait outside in cold for a tee time? I for one am glad we don't have to do that come this August.

What am I missing here???

The people that really want to play will go stand in line

The people that dont really want to play won't go stand in line

I REALLY want to play.

I REALLY don't want to stand in line as that's not the norm for golf sans St. Andrews, I guess.

I have stood in line and waited hours and hours to play for about 8 years and I REALLY hate doing that.

Same theory behind pulling tickets for football games. Best tickets go to those who want it most, those who want it most will get in line and get in line early.