Is My Home Suitable for The Open Accommodation at St Andrews?

Whether your home is suitable for The Open accommodation at St Andrews in 2027 depends on a combination of factors — location, property size, bedroom count, parking and overall comfort — rather than any single requirement. The Open Championship returns to the Old Course, St Andrews, Fife from 11 to 18 July 2027, and the demand for private, group-friendly accommodation across Fife and the surrounding region is expected to be significant. If you own a property in or around St Andrews, the East Neuk villages, Cupar, Dundee or beyond, it is well worth assessing what you could offer golf visitors and what your home might potentially earn during event week.

For event information, places to stay and travel guidance, visit our St Andrews Open 2027 accommodation guide.

What Types of Property Work Well for The Open 2027?

There is no single property type that suits every visiting group. What matters most to golf travellers is having a comfortable, clean and well-presented home that accommodates the whole party under one roof. Properties that tend to appeal strongly include:

• Family houses with three or more bedrooms — groups of friends or family touring the event together are often looking for a home they can share, rather than booking several separate hotel rooms.
• Town flats and townhouses in St Andrews itself — ideal for couples, smaller groups and those who want to walk to the Old Course or nearby restaurants and pubs.
• Larger farmhouses, coastal villas and cottages in the East Neuk — villages such as Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans and Elie are typically 20 to 35 minutes from the Old Course via the A917/B9131 and can be excellent bases for family groups and corporate parties.
• Properties in Cupar and surrounding Fife towns — Cupar is approximately 20 minutes from St Andrews via the A91 and offers good road access.
• Properties in Dundee — approximately 30 minutes via the A92/Tay Bridge, with ScotRail services to Leuchars station (the nearest rail hub for St Andrews), Dundee is a practical base for visitors who want city-level dining and convenience alongside event access.

If your property is further afield — Perth (approximately 50 to 60 minutes via the A90/M90), Edinburgh (approximately 80 to 100 minutes via the M90 and Forth crossings) or Kirkcaldy — it may still attract visitors, particularly those who plan to attend only selected days and value a larger home or extended Scottish touring base. Properties in these locations should be presented with honest travel-time information so that guests can make an informed decision.

Travel times given here are approximate figures under normal traffic conditions. Event week road and transport arrangements can affect journey times considerably, so it is important to present travel information as a guide rather than a guarantee.

How Many Bedrooms Do You Need?

Properties with two or more bedrooms are generally more in demand during major golf events than single-bedroom flats, because they can accommodate a group at a cost that compares favourably with booking multiple hotel rooms. That said, a well-presented one-bedroom flat or studio in St Andrews town itself may still attract a couple or pair of friends looking for a walking-distance base.

When assessing your own property, think about how many people could sleep comfortably — not just technically. A five-bedroom house with a mix of double and twin rooms and two bathrooms is far more appealing to a group of eight than a property where guests must share a single bathroom between every room. Listing your bedroom and bathroom details accurately is one of the most important steps you can take.

Does Location Matter as Much as You Think?

Location is important, but it is not the only factor. Many visiting groups attending The Open are travelling from overseas or from other parts of the UK for the full week, and they may actively prefer a comfortable, spacious private home a short drive from the course over a cramped central option.

A property in the East Neuk of Fife — with sea views, a large kitchen, ample parking and four bedrooms — can be very appealing to a group who want the full Scottish experience alongside their golf. The same applies to a well-appointed farmhouse near Cupar or a riverside property in Dundee with easy access to the ScotRail Leuchars line.

Key Features Golf Visitors Look For

Based on what travelling groups typically seek when booking private accommodation for a major golf event, the following features are among the most valued:

• Multiple bedrooms with comfortable beds and clear room layouts
• Sufficient bathrooms — ideally at least one per two to three guests
• A well-equipped kitchen and a dining area where the full group can eat together
• Reliable Wi-Fi
• Parking for the group's vehicles
• Good road access — proximity to the A91, A917, A92 or main Fife routes
• Proximity to a town, village or local facilities for meals and supplies
• Outdoor space such as a garden, terrace or courtyard
• Clean, well-presented interiors and accurate photographs

You do not need to renovate or redecorate before listing. Cleanliness, honest presentation and clear information about the property and its location matter far more than a recent refurbishment.

What If Your Property Is Not Immediately Beside the Old Course?

Some of the most attractive properties for Open week are not within walking distance of the Old Course. A group renting a large house in the East Neuk, for example, can drive to the course each morning or use The Open's normal park-and-ride arrangements from designated Fife sites. Visitors arriving by train can use ScotRail services into Leuchars station, which is the nearest rail hub for St Andrews.

The key is to present the travel arrangements clearly and honestly, so that prospective guests can judge for themselves whether the combination of property quality and travel time suits their plans. A property that is 30 minutes from the course but offers four bedrooms, sea views, good parking and a large shared kitchen may be exactly what a corporate group or a travelling party of friends is looking for.

Practical Steps to Assess and Prepare Your Property

If you are weighing up whether to list, these straightforward steps will help you form a clear picture:

1. Count your bedrooms and bathrooms honestly. Note bed sizes (double, twin, single) and whether en-suite facilities are available.
2. Establish your maximum comfortable guest capacity. Base this on sleeping capacity, not the technical maximum.
3. Check your parking. Note how many vehicles can park off-road, and whether this is easy to describe and photograph.
4. Work out your approximate travel time to St Andrews. Use a mapping tool under normal traffic conditions and note the main road route — then present this honestly to guests as an approximate figure.
5. Identify nearby facilities. What restaurants, shops or pubs are within easy reach? The East Neuk seafood villages, Cupar town centre and Dundee's waterfront area are all real draws for golf visitors.
6. Take honest photographs. Clear, well-lit photographs of every bedroom, the bathrooms, the kitchen, the living space, the garden and the parking area make a significant difference to how enquiries respond.
7. Think about what you need to do before guests arrive. A thorough clean, securing personal belongings and providing clean linen are typically the most important steps — expensive renovation is rarely necessary.

What About Insurance and a Rental Agreement?

Before hosting paying guests, it is sensible to contact your insurer and explain that short-term paying guests may be staying at the property during a specific event period. Confirm whether your existing cover is appropriate or whether a temporary adjustment is needed. This is usually a straightforward conversation.

A simple written agreement with your guests — recording the dates, guest numbers, price, payment terms, house rules and cancellation terms — is also a sensible precaution. Its purpose is to record clearly what both sides have agreed, not to create a complicated legal document.

Rental income from a short-term let may need to be declared to HMRC. Keep a record of what you receive and retain receipts for any direct costs such as cleaning. If you are unsure about your specific position, a local accountant can give you a straightforward explanation.

How to List Your Property on Golf Event Stays

Golf Event Stays is a dedicated property-listing marketplace for major golf events. It connects homeowners with golf travellers searching for private accommodation during tournaments such as The Open Championship. The platform is designed for ordinary homeowners — you do not need to be a professional landlord or run a permanent holiday rental business.

The current listing fee for The Open 2027 at St Andrews is £129 as a one-time payment. There are no monthly fees and no commission deducted from your rental income under the standard self-managed listing. You retain control of your pricing, enquiries, guest communication, payment terms and rental agreement.

When you list, you provide your property description, photographs, bedroom and bathroom details, guest capacity, parking information, approximate travel time and availability. Golf travellers searching for Open week accommodation can then discover your property, submit an enquiry and discuss the booking directly with you.

Your property's public map pin will show an approximate location to protect your privacy. The confirmed address is only shared with guests once a booking is agreed.

For more guidance on homeowner listing and rental for The Open 2027, see the full Homeowner Listing & Rental guide for The Open 2027.

You can also browse currently listed properties on the Open 2027 accommodation page to see how comparable homes present their bedroom counts, travel times and photographs.

Golf Event Stays pricing is reviewed from time to time. For the current Self-Managed listing fee for each event and the current Fully Managed terms, see the Golf Event Stays pricing page or list your property.