Are you there for one year only?

I was at the university for the full 4 years, so I didn't feel the need to focus on the old.  There is plenty of time to play all the courses.

I tended to play the Old in the winter months and the New, Jubilee, Eden...and Strathtyrum   during the summer.  I just hate slow rounds and avoiding the Old in the summer was the best way to ensure a decent pace of play.

If pace was not an issue, I guess I'd go for 50% Old, then the others.  The Old has so many more combinations of play than the other courses that it requires more time.

I'd keep a daily diary and see if something interesting happens and spin a book out of the experience....

Could be trendy blog type - do it on here

Jk, you raise an interesting point.  I also wondered on a thread recently about UTube.  As far as I know, we only had one thread with an imbedded video of a golf shot that Evan Fleisher made at Stone Eagle.  

I have a digital video, but haven't installed nor do I understand how you post a UTube video.  I guess it is yet another thing that I'll have to learn.  

But, I think UTube videos of golf holes and some of the guys at the gatherings (like the Dixie Cup) might be a really cool thing to post as an alternative to the pictures that we always post. I wish I had Charlie Rymer telling us how GTand UGA play 20 questions...

Congratulations, Chris! Just to get us back on topic (we were headed for a new record on how quickly a GCA thread can spin out of control), and to be a bit more specific, I think you should:

--Play the Strathtyrum and Balgove courses exactly once apiece.
--Play the Jubilee no more than a couple of times.
--Play the Eden and New whenever you simply want to play golf without the hassle of getting an Old Course game, or if you ever want a change of pace from the Old.
--At all other times, play the Old. You'll be glad you did.

To sum up, if you're thinking about playing the Old Course, play it. Only if you really want something different should you go for it. If I had 100 rounds to play in St. Andrews, I would aim to do something like:

Old - 75
New - 12
Eden - 8
Jubilee - 3
Strathtyrum - 1
Balgove - 1

(If you get tired of the Old Course queue - perfectly plausible - pinch extra rounds from it on the New and Eden.)

Cheers,
Darren

Chris,
   I would take Darren's advice. I would play TOC whenever it wasn't a hassle and then play Eden and New during busy TOC times. Balgove is the beginner course, so I can't imagine there is much of a reason to see that.

Lou,
   You have to be living in town to be able to obtain the pass as I understand it. They do have a type of pass that includes all the courses besides TOC that is a very good value when one is in the area for a week.

Ed/Lou,

Actually, in theory, to get a Links Trust season ticket you don't have to be a local. There's one rate for people living in St. Andrews, there's a higher one for non-St. Andrews residents of Fife, and there's a third which anyone can get. (I think the price scale is something like £115/£230/£650 - just guessing. Chris showed me the exact price list the other day.) There are also categories for members of golf clubs in St. Andrews and various other folks.

Having said this, there's a waiting list for all passes except for locals. And to be classified as a "local", you have to jump through a great many hoops (as Chris has found out). I was lucky - as a student at the University, all I had to do was wait to get my student ID and use it as my credentials. Chris, on the other hand, has had to go so far as actually get on the local electoral roll. Point being, don't expect to stay in St. Andrews for a few months, claim that you're a local and get a cheap golf pass - ain't gonna happen...

Cheers,
Darren

No, Kingsbarns is not operated by the Links Trust.

Eric, holders of residential Yearly Tickets pay £15 at Kingsbarns.

Lou, assuming you're an American citizen, I'm sorry to say that to my understanding you're not eligible for a residential ticket, as you won't be considered a "permanent resident".  I'm considered a permanent resident (even though I'm only here until June) because I hold a British passport.  The waiting list is currently at 4+ years for an Ordinary ticket (no residential restrictions), which requires membership of the New or St Andrews Golf Clubs (someone told me the other day that they might have closed the books altogether).  Your best bet is to join the R&A!

The residential pass is £116 (goes until April 1, I'll have to renew then), clubs members who are residents of north-east Fife pay £232, and club members resident elsewhere pay £348.  The Open ticket is £612 (no club membership or residence required), but I imagine the waiting list for that one is long closed.

Aaron, it would be much easier to join the R&A, which gives you full playing rights!

Who would have thought that my Dad spending the first twelve months of his life in England would be so beneficial to me in 2006?!?!

How about a YouTube video diary..

That could be a touch embarrassing...

George, that would be, without question, the toughest "My Home Course" anyone would ever have to write!

I have Monday and Tuesday off work - two rounds on the Old and a game on the New sounds logical.

Chris, you shall figure it out yourself in about 15 rounds or so. You will be one of the experts if you play 100 rounds there over the next year. Your personal favorites will make themself very clear to you. however if you are sillt enough to listen to a man who is still looking for his 20th round at TOC then 70% TOC, 14% New 5% Jubalie, 5% Eden, 5% down the road, Rest 1%.

If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

Chris, sell it on ebay.