The daily ballot for the famous Old Course at St Andrews will soon be changing to a 48-hour ahead system.
The current daily ballot is believed to have originated as far back as 1895, but as of January next year, golfers will be able to enter the ballot two days before they wish to tee off.
The ballot is designed to provide golfers who were unable to book in advance, the chance of playing the famous links when they are in the area. It is hoped that the change will enable local and visiting golfers to plan their golf more effectively, thus encouraging longer stays in the region.
The new ballot system will be drawn for the first time on Saturday 7 January 2012 for play on January 9.
The ballot will take place every day of the week with the exception of Friday, as there is no play on the Old Course on Sundays.
The Old Course takes more than 40,000 rounds of golf a year and hosted the Open Championship for the 28th time last July, when Louis 0osthuizen lifted the Claret Jug.
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