As a fairly proficient golfer, there have always been a few very select golf courses on my bucket list, so when I was invited with a golfing colleague to visit Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland to play the two championship courses there, I cleared my diary and booked a flight, with no hesitation.

The hotel, spa, golf simulator and dining

If you’re an avid golfer looking for an unforgettable experience, a trip to Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland should definitely be on your agenda. Located in the stunning coastal town of St Andrews, the resort boasts amazing staff, breathtaking scenery, world-class golf courses, and delectable Scottish cuisine. The Fairmont St Andrews resort is a sight to behold. The property features stunning views of the North Sea and the historic town of St Andrews. The staff at the resort are incredibly welcoming and accommodating, ensuring that every guest has a comfortable and enjoyable stay. The rooms and amenities are luxurious, offering the perfect space to relax and recharge after a day on the course.

We were booked to play two rounds over the three-day, two-night visit, and to get there we took a very short flight to Edinburgh from London Heathrow and a scenic transfer of an hour and a half to the hotel, easy!

We checked in and were shown to our suite with amazing views over the golf course, the suite was large and supremely comfortable with every conceivable facility to ensure we felt at home. The bathroom was huge with a bathtub and separate powerful shower, fluffy robes and towels, and plenty of toiletries. The bedroom had two double beds with top-quality linen. The entire suite had hints of tartan to give that authentic Scottish feel, the soft furnishings, sofa, desk, lighting and mini-bar definitely gave that luxurious ambiance, which after a round is essential.

On our first evening, we were treated to an incredible visit to the Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre where we learned how the whisky was made. The visit included a guided tour eventually leading to the tasting rooms where we sampled three drams of the single malt Scotch whisky. We were then taken on a tour of Darnley’s gin distillery where we concocted our own gin recipe, it was informative and really great fun, but mine definitely needed a little more help, too many botanicals!

After our whisky-tasting and gin-making experience, we played a round of golf on the state-of-the-art golf simulator in the hotel bar, with the St Andrews professional, it was tough and challenging, but incredible and the tech was impressive, and a sure-fire way to further enhance your golf game.

For our first lunch, we dined in St Andrews Bay Clubhouse & Grill with delicious fish and chips, and our evening meals were at the Squire Restaurant, named after Gene ‘The Squire’ Sarazen, the golfing legend and a past winner of the Grand Slam of golf. The resort’s restaurants offer a wide variety of Scottish dishes, including haggis, smoked salmon, and Angus beef; and for those looking to enjoy a fine whiskey, the resort’s bar offers an impressive selection of Scotch whiskey, including some rare and hard-to-find bottles. If whiskey isn’t your thing, the bar also has an extensive wine list and creative cocktails. This is also where we enjoyed our breakfast feast each morning and it was seriously stupendous, including gloriously prepared hot choices, fresh pastries, fruit, juices, yogurts, porridge of course and so much more, we were well set up for our tricky rounds of golf, in the changeable weather conditions. Typical to Scotland we had all seasons in one day, wind, hailstones, sun, and rain, but as the pro said it just made it more exciting, that’s one word for it, I’d call it demanding, it certainly tested us, but we did okay.

On our second evening following golf, we spent a couple of relaxing hours in the stunning luxury spa. The Spa perfectly reflects the energy of its surroundings. The 10 luxurious treatment rooms offer a place to unwind while enjoying one of the world-renowned ESPA treatments, whether it’s a high-performance body massage, a results-focused facial, or a signature ritual treatment, we decided a body massage was the best choice considering our aching muscles and joints. The therapy rooms were quiet and relaxing with atmospheric music playing to further enhance the chilled-out feel, the therapists were professional and expert at easing those golf-induced pains.

The golf

Speaking of golf, the Fairmont St Andrews resort boasts two world-class golf courses: the Torrance Course and the Kittocks Course. The Torrance Course was designed by former Ryder Cup Captain Sam Torrance and features stunning views of the Scottish coastline. It has hosted numerous international golf events, including the Scottish Seniors Open and the European Tour Qualifying School. The Kittocks Course, designed by golf legend Bruce Devlin, offers challenging holes with panoramic views of St Andrews Bay.

While in Scotland I was playing with my new set of recently acquired custom-fitted clubs from American Golf, which included Ping Irons, Taylor Made Woods, and a Scotty Cameron Putter.

Having picked them up a few weeks before this trip after a visit to American Golf in London, I had already played four rounds and reduced my handicap from 12 to 9 in less than a month. My new set has dramatically improved my all-round game and I am already seeing a major difference in my ball striking quality and the distance of shots. Even the pro we played with us on the first day on the Kittocks course commented that I was only 3 over par after 9 holes playing off the championship tees.

My target is to reach a new handicap of 5 from 12 in the next 6 months, which with my new set I feel is very achievable with the addition of a few professional lessons.

In conclusion, a golf trip to Fairmont St Andrews is a must-do for any golfer looking to experience the beauty and history of Scotland. The stunning views, world-class golf courses, and delicious food and drinks make for a totally unforgettable experience. Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, or with family, Fairmont St Andrews offers something for everyone. So pack your clubs and head to Scotland for the golf trip of a lifetime.

A:   St Andrews, Scotland KY16 8PN, United Kingdom
T:  +44 1334 837000
F:  +44 1334 837099
E:  Information
W: Fairmont St Andrews

Written by Luxuria Lifestyle’s Sportswriters Josh Aaron and Elliot Farmer