Golf Course Selection
Elie - Right from the moment the Starter checks it is clear to tee off by using his periscope to view over the brow of the hill on the 1st tee, Elie proves to be a unique experience. The 4 holes running along side the coast are particularly memorable. Only 13 miles from St. Andrews situated in a charming seaside village, which is also noted for the great pub called ‘The Ship Inn.’
Dumbarnie - Having recently opened in Summer 2020, this links course, located approximately 25 minutes from St Andrews, has a mile and a half of sea frontage with panoramic views over the Firth of Forth. Its dual elevations, which are connected by a flowing escarpment, allows for a number of elevated tees where holes play directly towards panoramic views of the expansive Firth of Forth. Furthermore, a number of tees and greens are in close proximity to the water. In fact, fourteen of the holes have views of the Bay and the Firth of Forth.
Kingsbarns - Kingsbarns is only 6 miles from St. Andrews. With its true links turf, contoured rolling fairways and majestic vistas of the sea this course is already considered to be a classic. The sea plays an integral role in the course design and the sandy dunes also feature prominently in enhancing the course landscape. As Sir Michael Bonallack (recently retired Secretary of the R&A) remarks - "Kingsbarns might well be one of the last true seaside links sites capable of development in Scotland. It is an extraordinary setting".
Cruden Bay - Cruden Bay is a traditional Scottish links golf course, originally designed by Tom Morris and Archie Simpson, and only two hours drive from St Andrews, the "Home of Golf". Set against a backdrop of subtly contoured greens and magnificent panoramic views, the course truly justifies its position in the Golf Digest Top 100. There is a complimentary round on the 9 hole St Olaf Course included in your green fee.
Fortrose and Rosemarkie - Designed by James Braid, this course has been skilfully laid out within the narrow Chanonry peninsula. It is instantly admired by first-time visitors and its unique character and charm make it a most enjoyable round. What it lacks in yardage is more than offset by its small deceptive greens and strategically placed bunkers.
Royal Dornoch - This spellbinding course would almost certainly be an open championship course if not for its remote location. The course is undoubtedly worth the journey though with its timeless setting and natural plateaux raised greens making this course truly remarkable. Royal Dornoch Golf Club is the third oldest golfing town in the world with records dating back to 1616. Designed by Tom Morris, its reputation is underlined by the fact that it has 200 overseas members from USA alone. The Championship Course was ranked No.6 in the world and No.1 in Scotland by Golf Digest 2014.
Castle Stuart - Designed by the team that brought you Kingsbarns, Castle Stuart opened in July 2009. Commanding a breath-taking coastal position, the course is built on three tiers ensuring that its golfers rarely lose sight of the dramatic views of the Moray Firth and several iconic Highland landmarks such as Chanonry Lighthouse, Fort George and the Kessock Bridge. Ranked 9th in Scotland and 65th in the Top 100 courses of the world, Castle Stuart is set to only get better.
Kings Course, Gleneagles - The three courses at Gleneagles are blessed with surroundings of awe-inspiring beauty reflecting a truly highland landscape. The Kings and Queens courses were both designed by James Braid (a five times Open winner). When Lee Trevino first played Gleneagles he memorably remarked "If heaven is as good as this, I sure hope they have some tee times left". Selecting the right club for each approach shot is the secret on the King's. It is certainly one of the most beautiful and exhilarating places to play golf in the world, with the springy moorland turf underfoot and the sweeping views from the tees all around. In recent years, the course manager has been shortening the fairway grass to make it run more like a links - so beware of the extra run of the ball!
Ailsa, Turnberry - The scene of several Open Championships, the most memorable being the great Watson v Nicklaus head to head in 1977 – ‘the Duel in the Sun’ and the most recent being 2009 when Tom Watson looked like he might hold the Claret jug again! The magnificent Ailsa course and brother King Robert the Bruce course offer breathtaking views over Turnberry Bay and out to the iconic Ailsa Craig. The Ailsa underwent a major refurbishment at the end of 2015 and the undisputed consensus has been that it has tremendously improved this panoramic links.
Accommodation Selection
The Ship Inn - This is a fantastic inn situated in the popular seaside town of Elie. The superb restaurant & bar is a lively meeting point for visitors and locals alike and the individually-designed bedrooms have literally just been refurbished to the highest of standard. After golf you can spend the evenings in its world famous beer garden, with its new Beach Bar or have a bite to eat in the spectacular first floor restaurant overlooking Elie Bay which serves fresh Scottish seafood as well as The Ship Inn’s famous fish and chips!
Meldrum House - This is an enchanting baronial house set within a 240 acre estate in rural Aberdeenshire. After an extensive refurbishment in recent years, accommodation is now spread across 3 buildings (the Manor House, the Stables and the Chain Lodge), each with its own individual character, and assuring a very personalised experience. Rooms are individual and stylishly unique with modern Scottish decor, including antique artefacts, giving them a real homely feel!
Royal Golf Hotel - The Royal Golf Hotel commands a truly spectacular position overlooking Royal Dornoch Golf Course. It has undergone significant refurbishment in the last few years and is under new management which has provided it with a new lease of life. You can expect a warm, Highland welcome from the staff who are incredibly helpful and nothing is too much trouble. Many of the 22 en-suite and individually styled bedrooms overlook both the golf course and Dornoch Firth beyond. All rooms are well equipped with direct dial telephone, flat screen televisions incorporating freeview channels, hospitality tray and complimentary toiletries to ensure a comfortable stay. The Conservatory Restaurant has incredible panoramic views and serves food all day, providing an array of mouth-watering dishes made from the finest locally sourced, fresh and seasonal ingredients. The hotel has received several awards; most notably Hotel of the Year 2011 and it is a key player in promoting golf in the Highlands through Highland Golf Links.
Gleneagles Hotel - Host of the 2014 Ryder Cup the Gleneagles Hotel offers a luxury ‘French chateau’ experience amid gently rolling hills in the heart of Scotland. Established in 1924, the hotel was soon acclaimed 'the palace in the glens' and continues to attract those in search of rest, relaxation and exhilaration. The resort has three golf courses, namely the Kings, Queens and PGA Centenary Course, host of the 2014 Ryder Cup, as well an academy course and extensive practice facilities. Furthermore the hotel has a range of fantastic facilities including a luxury spa, world class shooting facilities, and an equestrian school to name but a few. The hotel has a number of dining options with the Strathearn and Andrew Fairlie being perhaps the most well-known. The Strathearn, is a classic restaurant focusing on fine dining using the best local produce to create a menu inspired by the flavours of France and Scotland and has two Rosette’s to its name. Andrew Fairlie offers an exclusive dining experience, boasting two Michelin stars, earned through Andrew’s inspiring culinary skills.
Turnberry Resort - Turnberry reopened at the beginning of June 2016 after major refurbishment of the hotel and an upgrading of the Ailsa Championship Course. Turnberry is an iconic hotel on the Ayrshire coast and something to behold with its undoubted comfort matched only by the breath-taking views overlooking Ailsa Craig and its very own Ailsa Championship and King Robert the Bruce courses. There is a charmingly elegant feel in the public rooms such as the Ailsa Bar and main 1906 Restaurant, with a more modern feel in some of the more relaxed dining areas such as the Duel in the Sun Clubhouse Restaurant. In addition to two fine Championship links courses the resort possesses a state of the art golf academy and impressive Spa facilities. There are two excellent restaurants and Glasgow airport is just over an hour's drive away.
Tour Itinerary
DAY 1Arrive in Edinburgh and collect your rental van. Play Elie. Stay at the The Ship Inn, Elie x 2 nights.
DAY 2
Pay Dumbarnie Links.
DAY 3
Check out of the Ship Inn and play Kingsbarns. After golf, travel north to Aberdeenshire and check into Meldrum House x 2 nights. Drive time is approximately 2 hours 10 minutes.
DAY 4
Play Cruden Bay.
DAY 5
Check out of your accommodation and head north (drive time is approximately 2 hours 20 minutes). Play Fortrose & Rosemarkie. Check into the Royal Golf Hotel x 2 nights.
DAY 6
Play Royal Dornoch
DAY 7
Check out of your accommodation and travel south to Nairn (approximately 1 hour 10 minutes). Play Castle Stuart Golf Links. Continue south and check into Gleneagles Hotel x 2 nights (a further 2 hours 30 minutes.
DAY 8
Play Gleneagles Kings Course.
DAY 9
Check out of your accommodation and travel west to Ayrshire (approximately 1 hour 50 minutes). Check into the Turnberry Resort x 1 night. Play the Ailsa Championship Course at Turnberry.
DAY 10
Depart Homeward Bound.
Includes the following
ACCOMMODATIONBased on 9 nights' bed and full Scottish breakfast, sharing twin/ double rooms.
GOLF
Based on 9 rounds of golf.
TRANSPORT
Based on the rental of a van with automatic transmission.
DRUMGOLF TOUR MANAGEMENT SERVICE
Comprehensive Tour Management Service
THIS ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND BASED
ON 4 GOLFERS TRAVELLING IN 2024
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