St Andrews Links Trust is taking over the management of all commercial Old Course tee times.
Over the last 20 years operator The Old Course Experience (OCE) has run commercial bookings, but that will end after the 2017 season.
From April 2018 the links trust will directly manage all commercial bookings.
As part of their role, OCE distributed a fixed number of commercial trade times amongst a number of golf tour operators.
The arrangement does not impact on the general ballot to play the Old Course or local preferential times, which will continue to be a mainstay of the St Andrews Links operation.
Euan Loudon, St Andrews Links chief executive, said: “Following a lengthy period of consideration the Trust has decided that it is the appropriate time to take control over the presentation and sale of all Old Course commercial times as well as developing and managing a closer working relationship with multiple tour operators.
“This change in emphasis will bring to a close the existing contractual arrangement which we have enjoyed with our partner, OCE, for more than 20 years.”
He thanked the team in St Andrews, London and New York for their hard work, and said the relationship with OCE has been highly successful.
“They have helped to enhance the visiting golfer’s experience at the Home of Golf with their commitment to customer service as well as their passion, not just for our golf courses and facilities, but the town as a whole,” he stated.
Sheelagh Walker, OCE’s head of golf operations, said the company was proud of what had been achieved over the last two decades.
She added: “Our number one priority has been, and will continue to be, to deliver the best possible experience to the thousands of guests who have visited the Home of Golf with our team.
“We fully respect and appreciate the ambition and objectives of St Andrews Links Trust in making this change.
“As we look towards our own future, we look forward to offering a continued quality service to golfers and we hope to enjoy a successful working relationship with the Trust for many years to come.”
OCE will now plan for post-2017 arrangements and concentrate on delivering the same quality service to every visitor booking a guaranteed Old Course tee time in 2016 and 2017.
Mr Loudon said the trust will undertake a significant programme of business development for the Old Course from 2018.
He added: “This work will focus only on commercial tee times and will not impact on the ballot, advanced reservations or local preferential times on any of our courses.”