St Andrews Old Course Dress Code and Etiquette
The Old Course is the home of golf, a public links over which the game has been played for six centuries, and the standards reflect its stature without being stuffy. The dress code is smart golf attire with a collared shirt and no jeans, it is walking only, it rests on Sundays, and most visitors play by ballot. Here is what to wear, how to get on, and the etiquette of golf's most revered round.
Photo: Swilcan Bridge, Old Course St Andrews, via Google.
The short answer
The Old Course is run by St Andrews Links as public golf, so its on course dress code is sensible rather than starchy. You are asked to wear suitable golf attire: a collared golf shirt worn tucked into the waistband, tailored trousers or tailored golf shorts without cargo pockets, and proper golf shoes. Jeans, denim, gym wear, replica football shirts and untucked casual tops are not in keeping with the home of golf. With shorts, long socks are traditional, though neat ankle socks are accepted. There is no jacket and tie rule on the links itself.
Where formality does still rule is inside the famous clubhouses. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, whose grey stone clubhouse sits behind the first tee, and the other private St Andrews clubs keep their own stricter dress codes for members and guests, so those are separate from playing the course. On the links, get the golf clothing right and you will have no trouble at the starter. Everything below was checked in June 2026 against St Andrews Links guidance and is indicative, so always confirm the current rules directly before you travel.
The Old Course dress code and access, item by item
This is the on course standard plus the access basics every visitor needs. Meet the dress code and you will sail through the starter; the harder part is securing the tee time.
| Item | Standard |
|---|---|
| Shirts | Collared golf shirt, worn tucked in. No T-shirts, football shirts or untucked casual tops |
| Trousers and shorts | Tailored golf trousers or tailored golf shorts without cargo pockets. No denim or jeans |
| Socks and shoes | Golf shoes; long socks traditional with shorts, neat ankle socks accepted |
| Transport | Walking only. Caddies and trolleys available; buggies only with a medical certificate |
| Handicap | Valid handicap certificate required; limits apply (historically 24 men, 36 women) |
| Access | Mostly by daily ballot, closing 2pm two days before play. Closed Sundays |
Dress, handicap and access details verified in June 2026 from St Andrews Links guidance and are indicative; handicap limits and ballot rules can change. The Old Course is closed to play on Sundays. Always confirm current arrangements directly before booking. Check St Andrews tee time options.
What to wear on a Fife links
Dress for the weather as much as for the code, because the Old Course is exposed to whatever blows in off the North Sea. A collared golf shirt, tailored trousers or shorts and a warm, waterproof layer are the foundation in any season, and a good rain jacket and a hat earn their place in the bag even in summer. The wind is the defining feature of links golf in Fife, so a windproof midlayer and a spare glove are smart additions. Comfortable, well broken in golf shoes matter on a long walking round over firm, rumpled ground.
The short list of what looks out of place is the usual one: denim, gym shorts, a tank top, a replica jersey or a plain cotton T-shirt. None of it fits the home of golf, and the starter will expect proper golf clothing. Get the basics right and your wardrobe will be the last thing anyone notices, which is the point on a course where the history and the golf, not the outfit, are the occasion. For the cost of a round here, see our guide to St Andrews Old Course green fees.
Etiquette at the home of golf
Take a caddie
A caddie is close to essential on the Old Course. The blind shots, the hidden bunkers like Hell and the Strath, the enormous double greens shared between holes and the right lines off the tee are almost impossible to read first time, and a good caddie turns a confusing round into a clear one. They keep their fees, and a tip on top is customary for a job well done.
Pace of play and the Sunday rest
The Old Course feeds one of the busiest tee sheets in golf, so keep up with the group ahead, be ready to play and limit ball searches. Remember too that the course is closed to play on Sundays, when it rests and opens to walkers, a tradition as old as the links itself. Plan your trip around it.
Respect the course and the moment
Rake the bunkers, repair pitch marks, replace divots and treat the most historic ground in golf with the care it deserves. Pause for the photograph on the Swilcan Bridge, but keep it brief when others are waiting. For how the holes play and the booking detail, see the full St Andrews Old Course profile.
Plan a St Andrews golf trip
The Old Course is the headline, but St Andrews and the wider Kingdom of Fife hold a deep run of great links, from the New and Jubilee to Kingsbarns and Carnoustie nearby. Tell us roughly when and how many are travelling, and we will work the Old Course ballot, sort the tee times and the stay, and cost the trip to the head, with no obligation.
St Andrews Old Course dress code questions
What is the dress code at the St Andrews Old Course?
The Old Course asks for smart, suitable golf attire on the course: a collared golf shirt worn tucked in, tailored trousers or tailored golf shorts without cargo pockets, and golf shoes. Jeans, denim, gym wear and football shirts are not appropriate. It is a public links rather than a private club, so the standard is sensible golf clothing rather than a jacket and tie code, though the St Andrews clubhouses keep their own stricter rules. Always confirm the current policy with St Andrews Links before you play.
Is the St Andrews Old Course walking only?
Yes. The Old Course is a traditional walking links, and golf carts are not generally available, with buggies permitted only for golfers holding a recognized medical certificate. Caddies and pull trolleys are available, and taking a caddie is one of the great pleasures of playing the home of golf. The course is also closed to play on Sundays, when it traditionally rests and opens to walkers. Always confirm current cart, caddie and access arrangements before booking.
How do you get a tee time on the St Andrews Old Course?
Most visitors play via the daily ballot, a lottery for tee times that closes at 2pm two days before play, with results published that afternoon. Entries are for groups of two, three or four, and a single golfers' ballot also runs. A valid handicap is required to play, and limits apply, so carry your handicap certificate. Guaranteed times are released further ahead and through tour operators. The Old Course is closed on Sundays. Always confirm current ballot rules and handicap limits before travelling.
Do you need a handicap to play the Old Course?
Yes. Unlike many public courses, the Old Course requires a valid handicap certificate to play, with maximum limits that have historically been 24 for men and 36 for women. Carry proof of your handicap, as you may be asked for it. The requirement is part of keeping pace on one of the busiest and most revered tee sheets in golf. Limits and rules can change, so always confirm the current handicap policy with St Andrews Links before booking.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Dress code and access requirements verified from St Andrews Links guidance in June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.