Questions and answers
How to get on
Ballots, visitor days, staying guests and booking windows at the courses people travel for, taken from each club’s own website. Rules change: always check with the club before you plan the trip.
How do I get a tee time on the Old Course at St Andrews?
The Old Course can be booked through the ballot, tee times, single golfers, a winter package or authorised providers. Only the Old Course requires a handicap certificate, shown to the Old Course Starter on the day; a letter of recommendation is not accepted. Handicap limit: men 36, women 36.
How do I get a tee time at Sandy Lane Golf?
The Green Monkey has just 10 tee times a day.
How do I get a tee time at Shadow Creek?
Access is as a guest of an MGM Resorts International destination; a private limousine takes guests to and from the course.
How do I get a tee time at Muirfield?
Visitor Days are Tuesdays and Thursdays (excluding Public Holidays); applications by email in the diary window; no tee times shown online; no threeballs, two-balls or singles in May to September.
How do I get a tee time at Carnoustie Golf Links?
Tee times are booked through the Carnoustie Golf Links booking page.
How do I get a tee time at Real Club Valderrama?
Visitor times are from 12 to 13h, Monday to Thursday; non-playing guests may not accompany visitors on the course.
How do I get a tee time at Gleneagles?
Open to hotel guests and visitors alike; book a tee time by phone or online.
How do I get a tee time at Apes Hill Golf?
Golf is for members and short-stay guests, such as those staying in the villa rentals. Reserved for homeowners and staying guests; membership is through property ownership.
How do I get a tee time at Emirates Golf Club?
Valid handicap certificates are mandatory. Handicap limit: men 28, women 36.
How do I get a tee time at Finca Cortesín Golf Club?
Tee times are booked online through the resort's tee-time form.
How do I get a tee time at Ganton Golf Club?
Players must hold a WHS Handicap Index; tee times by the Secretary's Office or online.
How do I get a tee time at North Berwick Golf Club?
Exclusive fourball tee times can be booked online. 2026: Monday to Thursday 11.00am - 2.30pm and Sunday 12 noon to 3.30pm; no visitors Friday and Saturday. 2027: Monday to Thursday 11.00am - 2.50pm and Sunday 12 noon to 3.50pm.
How do I get a tee time at Portmarnock Golf Club?
2027: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Bank Holidays are members only; closed to visitors 1 October to 31 March.
How do I get a tee time at Prestwick Golf Club?
Visitor times Monday to Friday and Sunday as listed on the club site; Saturday members only. A recognised handicap is preferred but not required of regular golfers.
How do I get a tee time at Prince's Golf Club?
Tee times seven days a week in a four-ball format.
How do I get a tee time at Royal Liverpool Golf Club?
Visiting golfer allocation on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, subject to availability; visitor play at weekends is not normally allowed; Thursday is Ladies' Day. All visitors expected to hold a current Club or Society handicap.
How do I get a tee time at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club?
Maximum handicaps of 21 for men and 30 for ladies advised; bookings by telephone or email, with a select number of tee times released on the first Monday of each month. Handicap limit: men 21, women 30.
How do I get a tee time at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club?
Visitor availability is greatest on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
How do I get a tee time at Royal Portrush Golf Club?
Some days are closed to visitors or to morning or afternoon visitors; handicap certificates may be requested prior to play.
How do I get a tee time at Royal St George's Golf Club?
Visitors on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; handicap index of 18.4 or less, verified at check-in. Handicap limit: men 18.4, women 18.4.
How do I get a tee time at Royal Troon Golf Club?
Visitor season 12 April until 7 October; tee times Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Golfers must be aged 12 and over; ages 12 to 15 need a handicap of 12 or less for the Old Course. Handicap limit: men 20, women 30.
How do I get a tee time at San Roque Club?
The Old Course is reserved for members except during daily public periods, when visitors can play.
How do I get a tee time at Sunningdale Golf Club?
Visitors Monday to Thursday, May to October, as stated on the home page; the 2027 diary opens in November 2026 and tee time availability is exceptionally limited.
How do I get a tee time at The Celtic Manor Resort?
Visitors and members can book tee times for all three championship courses online.
How do I get a tee time at The Golf Course at Adare Manor?
Priority access goes to guests staying at Adare Manor; tee times for non-guests may be limited or subject to availability.
How do I get a tee time at The Royal Birkdale Golf Club?
Visitors are Members for the Day; the club says visitor tee times are fully booked throughout 2027.
How do I get a tee time at Walton Heath Golf Club?
Visitors should be competent golfers; official handicaps are not required.
What does “visitor days” mean?
Some private clubs open their course to visitors only on set days and times, and take applications in advance. Muirfield’s visitor days are Tuesdays and Thursdays, for example. The course page gives each club’s own rule.
What is a handicap certificate, and when do I need one?
It is proof of your official handicap from your home club or national golf body. Several clubs on this site ask to see one, and some set a maximum handicap. Each course page shows the limit where the club states one.
Can I play a private club without being a member?
Sometimes. Some clubs welcome visitors on set days; some are for members and their guests only; some, such as Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, are open to guests staying at the owner’s hotels. We describe each club’s access exactly as the club does.
Do I need to book months ahead?
For the most famous courses, yes. Kingsbarns releases tee times from 1 June for the following year, and the Old Course has a ballot. Each course page links to the club’s own booking page.