Lightning

In the event of lightning on the Links, golfers out on the courses are advised to cease playing. They should go to the nearest lightning-protected shelter or building until the lightning has moved away. Then they may return to their places on the course and complete their round. Lightning conductors are fitted on shelters and toilet facilities. If green fee-paying golfers decide to abandon their round, rather than wait for the lightning to cease, refunds will not apply. Golfers on the first tee will be advised of any lightning that is evident or imminent close to the Links but it is their decision whether or not to play. If they miss their tee-time as a result, reasonable endeavours will be made to reschedule either later that day or the following day depending on availability. If visiting golfers' tee times cannot be rescheduled, a refund will be offered. In an organised event, the decision to suspend or stop play lies with the tournament organiser. In the case of Links Tournaments, the responsibility lies with Links staff running the tournament.

Fog

In the event of fog or haar while on the golf courses, the decision to stop or continue play lies with the golfers, as it is recognised that conditions can change from minute to minute. Golfers on the first tee will be advised of the conditions by the starter. If golfers decide not to start, reasonable endeavours will be made to reschedule either later that day or the following day depending on availability. If visitors cannot reschedule, a refund will be offered. If golfers decide to play but do not complete 18 holes, refunds will not apply. In an organised event, the decision to suspend or stop play lies with the tournament organiser. In the case of Links Tournaments, the responsibility lies with Links staff running the tournament.

Heavy Rain

When heavy rain is expected, the holes are moved to high ground, where possible. If it is still impossible to putt out then the course will be temporarily closed and play suspended. Golfers on the course should take shelter. When it is possible for play to restart, golfers should resume their game at their places on the course. If golfers decide to abandon their round, rather than wait for the rain to cease, refunds will not apply. 

Should heavy rain force the temporary suspension of starting on any course, start-times may be delayed by up to one hour to allow for the movement of hole locations and removing water from greens. If the re-opening of the 1^st tee takes place within one hour of the temporary suspension, then play will re-start in the same order and the Starter will make every effort to reduce the delay to later start-times.  

If the re-opening of the 1^st tee takes place more than one hour after the suspension, the first group to play will be the start-time one hour ahead of the resumption time and again the Starter will make every effort to reduce the delay to later start-times. 

Golfers whose start-time was more than one hour ahead of the resumption will lose their start-time and every effort will be made to re-schedule, depending on availability. 

For example;

• If play is suspended at 10am and re-opens at 11am, then the first game will be those players from the 10am start-time
• If play is suspended at 10am and re-opens at midday then the first game will be those players from the 11am start-time.  Those players with a start-time from 10am to 10.50am will be re-scheduled, depending on availability.

If visiting golfers' times cannot be re-scheduled they will be offered a refund. In an organised event, the decision to suspend or stop play lies with the tournament organiser. In the case of Links Tournaments, the responsibility lies with Links staff running the tournament.

Frost

Playing golf in frosty conditions can cause irreparable damage to the playing surfaces at St Andrews Links. Therefore when frost is evident, the Course Manager will delay play until the temperature has risen to a level that will allow a satisfactory thaw to take place, thereby reducing the possibility of damage to the grasses. If golfers miss their tee-time as a result of the course being closed due to frost, reasonable endeavours will be made to re-schedule either later that day or the following day depending on availability. If visiting golfers’ tee-times cannot be re-scheduled a refund will be offered.