Play golf at St Andrews

QUESTION: I will be travelling to Scotland later this year and would very much like to play a round of golf at the Old Course at St Andrews. Is this possible? How far ahead would I have to book? - Humphrey Johns

ANSWER: It is too late to book now, as applications for a tee time need to be made in the year before you wish to play, starting in September. However, you can still enter the daily Old Course Ballot. Half of the Old Course tee-off times are held back for locals and visitors and tee-off times are allocated in the previous day's draw. Names are placed in a ballot before 12 noon and the draw is made by 4pm. If you don’t make it, you can still gain some kudos by opting for the Musselburgh Old Links course near Edinburgh. It may not be regarded as the home of golf, but it is reputed to be the oldest playing course and it is said that Mary Queen of Scots played a round here in 1567.