Golf Pilgrimage The Old Course, St. Andrews
6 Days
from
$5,999 pp*
Highlights:
Scotland
(Edinburgh, St. Andrews)
Trip Start/End:
Edinburgh
/
Edinburgh
Welcome to Scotland - the home of golf! For generations, Scotland has been synonymous with phenomenal golf courses including the Old Course at St Andrews as well as many renowned links and park courses. Spend time in this magical land exploring the history, culture and golf courses. Stay in some of Scotland's most luxurious hotels and visit places of interest throughout your tour.
*Please note: Club rentals can be booked and pre-paid whilst caddies & carts can be booked but must be paid for directly on the golf courses.* The Old Course at St. Andrews is the cultural and historical home of golf, with the game being played here since the 15th Century. Despite its age, the wonder of the St. Andrews' Old Course has stood the test of time and continues to challenge the best golfers in the world into the 21st Century. For golfers who dream of playing St Andrews, the legendary Home of Golf, there could be no better place to stay than the five-star Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa.
Overview
| Day | Activities | Hotel |
- Day 1
- Edinburgh
| - Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Scotland - Welcome Package
- Lunch (not included)
- Optional Dinner Reservation at The Witchery Restaurant
- Dinner (not included)
| Balmoral (5*)
Classic (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 2
- Edinburgh
| - Private - Panoramic Tour & Afternoon Tea at Prestonfield House - Luxury Minivan/Driver
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
- Optional Evening Underground tour of Edinburgh
| Balmoral (5*)
Classic (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 3
- Edinburgh - St. Andrews
| - Transfer - Private - Edinburgh - St. Andrews [with Panoramic Tour of St. Andrews ] - Vehicle/Driver
- Old Course Experience representative
- Transfer - Golf Course (return included)
- Golf Round - Old Course
- Lunch included
- Proof of handicap required (24 or less for Men, 36 or less for women)
- Dinner not included
| The Old Course Hotel (5*)
|
- Day 4
- St. Andrews
| - Breakfast included
- Transfer - Golf Course (return included)
- Golf Round - Kingsbarns or Carnoustie
- Lunch included
- 3 Course Dinner included
| The Old Course Hotel (5*)
|
- Day 5
- St. Andrews
| - Breakfast (included)
- Transfer - Golf Course (return included)
- Golf Round - New, Jubilee or Castle
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
| The Old Course Hotel (5*)
|
- Day 6
- St. Andrews
| - Breakfast (included)
- Transfer - Private - St. Andrews - Edinburgh [1.5 hrs] - Vehicle/Driver
| No hotel booked |
| B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive |
Trip Itinerary
Edinburgh
The Witchery Restaurant 
Balmoral
Day 1: Edinburgh
Meet your driver for your private airport transfer today. Please note that this service includes up to 3 hours of service.
A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.
The Witchery Restaurant located on the Royal Mile is a great place for dinner. The 16th century building located close to the Castle is lit exclusively by candlelight. The tapestry-draped main dining room is an ode to opulence: the seats are a rich red leather, the ceiling is gilded, and the walls are covered with oak panels salvaged from an old cathedral. The Secret Garden annex, meanwhile, is full of brass candlesticks and stone statues, and displays a series of painted doors that tell the story of Edinburgh's wine trade with France. The menu is equally sumptuous, offering dishes such as melt-in-your-mouth steak tartare, rabbit wrapped in Parma ham with tea-soaked prunes, and loin of roe deer with an earthy black pudding. But be sure to save room for the desserts — from the chocolate torte to the bramble, sherry and mascarpone trifle, they make a wickedly decadent end to the meal. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if you would like to have a reservation made for you.
Accommodation: Balmoral (5*) The Rocco Forte Collection's Balmoral is a luxury five star hotel located in the very heart of Edinburgh. The Balmoral offers 188 opulent suites and stylish rooms, many with views towards Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town. Enjoy all the facilities The Balmoral has to offer - a Finnish sauna and Turkish steam room, 15-metre crystal-clear pool, air-conditioned fully equipped cardiovascular gymnasium and exercise room. The Balmoral recently won a place on Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List (US edition) within "The best hotels in the world for location".
Afternoon tea
Royal Mile
Day 2: Edinburgh
Enjoy a full day private excursion taking in a Panoramic tour of Edinburgh- Scotland's capital city, including the classical Georgian New Town and the medieval Old Town, both world heritage sites with possible visits to Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace- the Queen's official residence in Scotland. Drive through Holyrood Park to enjoy spectacular views over the city also known as Athens of the North. In the afternoon enjoy the very special and traditional ceremony of afternoon tea at historic Prestonfield House in Edinburgh, situated in its own private grounds in the shadow of Arthurs Seat, famous Edinburgh landmark. Afternoon tea is a luxurious Prestonfield tradition and a memorable occasion, whether served by the side of a roaring log fire or, in summer, in the rose-filled gardens or the whimsical gothic tea house.
This evening consider an underground tour of Edinburgh exploring the labyrinth of corridors and chambers beneath the Royal Mile which remain unchanged from two hundred years ago. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if you would like to include this in your itinerary.
Accommodation: Balmoral (5*) 
St. Andrews
Royal Mile 
The Old Course Hotel
Day 3: Edinburgh - St. Andrews
Today you will be driven by private car and driver to St Andrews, the home of Golf. Enjoy a look around this historic town. (Approx. 1hr30mins)
You will have at your disposal a dedicated Old Course Experience representative to co-ordinate your itinerary prior to arrival and available throughout your stay.
Transfer from your hotel to Old Course. After the golf round concludes you will return to your accommodation.
Spend a wonderful day golfing in one of the best places in the world for golf. Despite its age, the wonder of the St. Andrews' Old Course has stood the test of time and continues to challenge the best golfers in the world into the 21st Century. You’ll experience famous features along the way such as the enormous Hell bunker, the Road Hole, site of so many famous Open Championship moments, and the Swilken Bridge. Created by Mother Nature and only touched by man in the later stages of her evolution, the ‘Old Lady’ serves as a masterclass to any would-be golf designer.
Lunch will be served in the clubhouse restaurant.
All golfers playing The Old Course must be in possession of a valid handicap certificate showing a handicap of 24 or less for men and 36 or less for ladies.
Dinner not included.
Accommodation: The Old Course Hotel (5*) The Old Course Hotel (5*) is a luxurious hotel located on the world’s most famous golf course, in St. Andrews. There are 144 lavishly refurbished bedrooms and suites, designed with rich red divine opulence, silk lined walls, private balconies. The Old Course Hotel offers an outstanding collection of bars and restaurants to suit all including Sands Grill for relaxed dining and The Jigger Inn, fondly referred to as ‘the towns best 19th hole’ and much loved by the many celebrities who visit. Guests can enjoy the 20 meter pool, relaxation area and rooftop hot tub, as well as the 11 golf courses around the hotel, including its own championship course.
Golfer hitting his drive
Golf ball on tee
Day 4: St. Andrews
Enjoy a full Scottish breakfast in the morning.
Transfer from your hotel to Kingsbarns or Carnoustie. After the golf round concludes you will return to your accommodation.
Experience another golf round today.
Kingsbarns Golf Course is the most recent addition to Fife's golf coast, and has quickly developed a reputation as one of the finest links courses in Scotland. The greens at Kingsbarns are a unique aspect of the golf course. Their contours reflect the topography of surrounding landforms and can be intuited from considerable distance. This is important because green contours at Kingsbarns have meaning to the links-style forward release of the ball and therefore to angles of approach which result from lines of play chosen at the tee.
Carnoustie stands as one of the oldest courses in the world, having been played by all the great names of golf, but Ben Hogan’s memorable 1953 performance has led to a close association with the course for many golfer. With a daunting cocktail of gales, thick rough and devilish bunkers, Carnoustie has earned its reputation as the most challenging course in Britain, and should not be missed when planning a Scotland golf package.
Lunch will be served in the clubhouse restaurant.
In the evening you will enjoy a 3 course dinner.
Accommodation: The Old Course Hotel (5*) 
Golf fairways
Golfer
Castle Course
Day 5: St. Andrews
Transfer from your hotel to New, Jubilee or Castle Course. After the golf round concludes you will return to your accommodation.
Today will be enjoyed playing a round on the New Course, Jubilee or Castle. Please let your Sales Advisor know in advance what your course choice is so that it may be arranged in advance.
The New Course is often regarded as the oldest "new" course in the world. A classic links course with undulating fairways and delightfully challenging greens, it eas set out in 1895 by Old Tom Morris. This classic links course offers a first class golfing challenge. The course has the traditional out and back layout, with the 18th green just to the right of the first tee. It also has, in the great St Andrews tradition, shared fairways and even a double green at the 3rd and 15th holes.
The Jubilee Course has developed from a basic 12-hole layout into what many consider to be the toughest test of golf at St Andrews. Created on a narrow strip of prime golfing land between the New Course and the sea, the Jubilee was originally intended for ladies and beginners. In 1988 the re-design of the Jubilee to championship standard was carried out by Donald Steel. The teeing grounds were raised, not only providing wonderful views of the Links, but also exposing the golfers to the winds which sweep in from the bay. Mr. Steel's redesigned course now plays at 6,742 yards and is a real test for all golfers.
The Castle Course is the first new tournament standard golf course to be built in St Andrews in close to 100 years. This cliff-top wonder is the result of a David McLay Kidd design, offering spectacular shots, including teeshots from some 80 feet above the St Andrews Bay.
Lunch will be served in the clubhouse restaurant.
Dinner not included.
Accommodation: The Old Course Hotel (5*) Day 6: St. Andrews
Meet your driver for a private transfer to Edinburgh.
Accommodations
- Balmoral
Balmoral (5*) - Edinburgh
The Rocco Forte Collection's Balmoral is a luxury five star hotel located in the very heart of Edinburgh. The Balmoral offers 188 opulent suites and stylish rooms, many with views towards Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town. Enjoy all the facilities The Balmoral has to offer - a Finnish sauna and Turkish steam room, 15-metre crystal-clear pool, air-conditioned fully equipped cardiovascular gymnasium and exercise room. The Balmoral recently won a place on Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List (US edition) within "The best hotels in the world for location".
The Old Course Hotel (5*)
The Old Course Hotel (5*) is a luxurious hotel located on the world’s most famous golf course, in St. Andrews. There are 144 lavishly refurbished bedrooms and suites, designed with rich red divine opulence, silk lined walls, private balconies. The Old Course Hotel offers an outstanding collection of bars and restaurants to suit all including Sands Grill for relaxed dining and The Jigger Inn, fondly referred to as ‘the towns best 19th hole’ and much loved by the many celebrities who visit. Guests can enjoy the 20 meter pool, relaxation area and rooftop hot tub, as well as the 11 golf courses around the hotel, including its own championship course.
Travel Info
Travel tips of Scotland
VISA/PASSPORT
There are no border controls when travelling within the United Kingdom including the land border with England. Scotland has the same immigration and visa requirements as the rest of the United Kingdom.
United Kingdom is a party to the Schengen Agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay.
HEALTH
Health insurance is recommended. Medical facilities are good quality. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/united-kingdom.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Edinburgh
Language: English & Gaelic in parts of Scotland
Religion: Predominantly Christian, with sizeable Muslim, Sikh, Jewish and Hindu minorities.
Time: GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs are standard.
Telephone: Country code +44.
Mobile Telephone: Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone operators. Coverage is mostly good, but can be patchy in rural areas.
Internet: There are Internet cafes and centers in most urban areas.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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