N※N

Shake up of St Andrews golf tickets in most significant boundary expansion in generation

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/2 .. ignificant-boundary-expansion-in-generation.html
  Published in House and Home on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 14:54 GMT by The Scotsman
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

St Andrews Golf Club rolls out sweeping changes to local ticket categories

By The Scotsman – 28 September 2025

The St Andrews Golf Club (SAGC) has announced a major overhaul of its local ticketing system, a move that will reshape how members, seniors, juniors and community golfers access the world‑famous links from the start of the 2024 season. The changes, unveiled at a press briefing in the club’s main lodge on Friday, will come into force on 15 July 2024 and are aimed at boosting participation, improving the club’s community profile and addressing the shifting demographics of Scottish golf.

From a single “Local” rate to a tiered, needs‑based structure

Until now, the club’s local ticket system was essentially a one‑size‑fits‑all model. Every golfer who lived within 30 km of St Andrews was offered a single “Local” rate of £120 for a round of 18, payable either in advance online or at the club’s cashier. The fee granted a full‑day play on any of the club’s four courses – the Old Course, the New Course, the Balgove Course and the West Course – with the only distinctions being the course chosen and the time slot booked.

SAGC’s new scheme introduces four distinct categories, each with a price point and a set of privileges that reflect the golfer’s background and usage patterns:

The new tiers were designed to recognise the specific needs of different groups. The “Local Junior” rate, for instance, is an effort to nurture the next generation of Scottish golfers. Meanwhile, the “Local Senior” category recognises the financial constraints many older golfers face while still offering them a pathway to play the club’s most iconic links.

SAGC’s Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Martin Smith, said, “The golf scene in Scotland is evolving. We want to ensure that the St Andrews experience remains accessible, particularly for those living in the surrounding communities. These changes give us the flexibility to support juniors, seniors, and local families, all while preserving the club’s high standards.”

Community‑driven changes

The new ticket categories are not a top‑down decision. In early 2023, the club conducted a comprehensive survey of over 1,200 local golfers and club members. The results revealed a 12 % drop in local play over the previous two seasons, largely attributed to rising costs and the limited options for junior and senior golfers. Responding to these concerns, the club’s board formed a “Local Access Task Force” that drafted the revised pricing model.

“We had a lot of conversations with our community, and we heard them loud and clear,” said club president, Fiona MacLeod. “We’re proud to offer a system that reflects our commitment to inclusivity and that makes the Old Course a little more attainable for those who live and love St Andrews.”

Seamless transition and digital support

SAGC will roll out the new categories through a dedicated section on its website, where golfers can self‑classify by age, residency and membership status. An updated “Local Ticket App” will allow players to book tee times, track their loyalty points and receive real‑time notifications of course availability. For those who prefer the traditional route, the club’s front desk will still accept in‑person registrations until the new system is fully online.

The club also announced a complimentary “Local Ticket Launch Day” on 1 July, featuring free clinics for juniors and seniors, an exhibition match between club legends, and a special discount on club merchandise for anyone who books through the new app.

Financial outlook and future plans

While the changes aim to lower the entry barrier for locals, the club reassures that revenue will remain stable. The “Local Member” category is expected to attract a higher volume of play, offsetting the lower rates for the other tiers. “We’ve carefully modelled the impact on our bottom line and are confident that the community‑first approach will ultimately support the club’s long‑term sustainability,” Dr. Smith added.

The board will review the program’s effectiveness after 12 months. If the uptake is as high as projected, further refinements may be introduced, including a “Local Family” package that would provide discounted rates for parents with children under 12.

What local golfers need to do

Golfers who currently fall under the old local rate will be automatically re‑classified by the club’s system based on the information they provided in the 2023 survey. Those who wish to update their status – for example, a golfer who has recently moved into the 30‑km radius – can do so by logging into their account on the SAGC website.

The club will send an email to all local golfers on 5 June outlining the new categories and the steps required to switch over. Golfers will have until 14 June to confirm their new category and will be notified by 15 July with a new booking link that reflects their chosen tier.

Looking ahead

The St Andrews Golf Club’s revamped local ticket categories reflect a broader trend in Scottish golf: a growing emphasis on accessibility, community engagement and targeted support for the next generation of players. By aligning pricing with the needs of juniors, seniors and local families, SAGC is not only preserving its legacy but also ensuring that the Old Course remains a living, breathing hub of Scottish sport.

As the club moves into the new season, the local community will watch closely to see whether the changes translate into increased participation and a renewed sense of belonging among the golfers who call St Andrews home. For now, the club’s commitment to inclusivity and its investment in a user‑friendly booking platform signal a promising future for one of the world’s most iconic golf venues.