SCOTTISH golfers are to be offered a nearly 90% discount on historic courses in St Andrews.
St Andrews Links Trust has launched Drive, a new initiative which hopes to offer more access to its courses for Scottish players.
The scheme will see high season green fees in the city cut by 87.5% between May and October.
This includes the Old Course in St Andrews, with a round on the renowned course set to be available for £42.50 – rather than the usual price of £340.
Also included will be The Castle Course, where a round will be offered at £22.50, down from £180, and golfers will also have the chance to play at the Jubilee and Eden courses for discounted rates.
With 179 tee times set to be made available at a reduced price, 716 golfers will have the opportunity to access the unique discount by signing up to a two-ball ballot.
Successful applicants will then be paired up and allocated a tee time, beginning with 11 tee times on the Old Course on May 21.
Golfers who already benefit from an annual St Andrews Links ticket, which offers access to seven courses for just £386, will not be eligible to enter.
The Drive initiative was launched as part of an ongoing review of access to the St Andrews Links courses amid unprecedented local and global demand, and in an effort to promote golf participation for players of all ages and abilities.
As part of the drive, a week-long stretch of tee times will be provided exclusively to those working in the armed forces and frontline emergency services, as well as volunteers and disabled golfers on the Eden Course from May 27 to June 3.
Neil Coulson, chief executive of St Andrews Links Trust, said: “As the Home of Golf, St Andrews Links Trust takes its responsibility to the sport incredibly seriously. That is why we are so excited to launch a new initiative offering golfers across Scotland the opportunity to play our historic and iconic courses at a lower price.
“Widening access to golf is a key objective for us, and over the coming years we hope we can continue to provide opportunities to golfers of all ages and abilities.
“Golf has become increasingly popular in recent years and with this demand for our courses has surged to unprecedented levels. We will continue to ensure that our ticket holders and visitors have the best experience possible, while ensuring that one of the country’s most precious golfing assets is available for the public too.”
