St Andrews Power Play: 5 Courses in 3 days

Whether you arrive at Glasgow or Edinburgh airport, you’ll enjoy a private transfer to St Andrews with our trusted local shuttle company. With the drive lasting a little over an hour, you can relax and enjoy the wonderfully scenic rolling hills and farmlands that make Central Scotland and Fife so grand.

Upon arrival into St Andrews and after checking into your hotel, Kevin will meet you at The Old Course for a mini tour and introduction. Following the introduction and tour of St Andrews Kevin will then take you to for a round on the famous Himalayas Putting green setting you up nicely for your golf rounds ahead.

Today you're playing The New Course at St Andrews. Considered by many locals to be better than The Old Course at St Andrews, The New Course is the perfect introduction to links golf. By new, we mean it was built by Tom Morris in 1895. Anything less than 150 years old in Scotland is new! Yet don’t be fooled by its name. This course is a true test of links golf and allows you to experience the wonderful view of the Eden Estuary and tight fairways that will test every aspect of your mid irons.

At the 18th green of ‘the New’ golf course, you enter the St Andrews Links Clubhouse and buy authentic St. Andrews merchandise and dine in the elegant yet informal Swilcan Restaurant where you can view golfers playing Holes 1, 3 and the 17th Road hole of the Old Course and Holes 1 and 18 of the New Course. Over a delicious meal, reminisce your own New Course experience.

Having slept on the plane and played your first 18 holes in St Andrews, you may be so exhilarated to continue into downtown St Andrews for a casual pub meal. Greyfriars Hotel is a casual pub setting complete with large screen televisions showing non stop sports and booth styled seating with a jovial atmosphere. Enjoy a selection of local steaks, burgers or fish dishes (all served with french fries) as you recount the day's play over a few pints of Scottish Ale and dram of Scottish whisky before wandering less than a mile back to your hotel for a well earned nights sleep.

A ‘full Scottish’ breakfast awaits you. Be tempted to order the ‘haggis’ along with your sausages, eggs, bacon, baked beans and tomatoes. ‘Haggis’ is a traditional Scottish seasoning that will remind you of a Thanksgiving stuffing your grandma used to make you eat!

Located adjacent to the New Course, the 'Jubilee Course' is the third St Andrews championship course at the Home of Golf. The Jubilee is considered by many to be the most challenging course on the famous Links. Built in 1897, it was originally intended for use by ladies and beginners; however, after seeing its prime golfing location between the New Course and the sea, the Jubilee was converted to a championship layout in 1988. You must be accurate off the tee at this most challenging of links courses otherwise a high score is inevitable!

In comparison to the more forgiving Old and New courses, the Jubilee will test even the most accomplished of golfers from the tee. The required accuracy comes straight into play on the 2nd hole which is one of my favorites. A 360 yard par 4 dog leg to the right. Off the tee you have to be careful not to land in one of the strategically placed bunkers situated up the left. With thick gorse up the right side, generally an iron is the play here. If you find the fairway you are then left with a long narrow target of a green with bunkers left and right, a large bank on the left and a drop off to the right, believe walking off with a par on this hole is a major achievement, it is a make or break hole so early in the round which is why it is one of my favorites.

Enjoy lunch at either the Swilcan Restaurant at the St. Andrews Clubhouse and or relax in your hotel room, order up room service, answer some pesky emails or even better, take a short power nap before heading out for your second round of the day!

At 6250 yards, par 70, this hidden gem of St. Andrews links is more shielded from the winds blowing off the Eden Estuary. Over 100 years old having being built in 1914 by Harry S. Colt, it offers a relaxing afternoon of links golf. Yet do not be fooled as your bunker game will be tested and along with beautiful scenery, this less demanding sibling course to 'the Old' at St. Andrews will allow you to enjoy links golf whilst catching up with your friends on more relaxing fairways.

Although not as widely publicized as the big three down on the links, the Eden course is actually one of the most enjoyable courses to play requiring every club in the bag at one stage or another. The most appealing aspect of The Eden Course has to be the variety you get which is why my favorite is a shorty. The 4th hole, a short par 4 coming in at 273 yards. However, don’t be fooled by the length, the Eden estuary enters ones thoughts on the tee and if you don’t hit the green in one shot you are left with a difficult chip to an up turned bowl shaped green. It never ceases to amaze me how little birdies I see on such a short hole.

After walking over 15,000 yards (8.5 miles) of fairways you'll be happy to sit down at the local Jigger Inn that adjoins the Old Course Hotel for a relaxing meal. With a thatched roof and whitewashed walls, outdoor seating overlooking the 17th Road hole of 'the Old Course' is a perfect setting to rest those weary feet. Park your golf clubs against the wall of The Jigger Inn, and enjoy the friendly table service and sounds of golf balls from golfers in their approach shot to the infamous 17th Road hole.

Today you’re in for a visual treat at Fife’s most picturesque links golf course. Despite only being 16 years old Kingsbarns has won many top awards and is a permanent fixture on the European Tour as part of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Tour Professional Graeme McDowell describes Kingsbarns as “the only other golf course in the world that compares to Pebble Beach for views and enjoyment”.

Your private transfer will pick you up one hour before your planned tee time. After a short 10 minute drive from St Andrews you’ll arrive within the grounds of the Kingsbarns estate. The facilities are second to none in the area with a sizable practice area, putting green, clubhouse and pro shop.

As your round gets under way Kingsbarns’ reputation as one of the most picturesque links courses in Fife will be confirmed as you gaze in wonder at the semicircular bay that provides breathtaking views from every hole. The velvet links and gently sloping fairways provide the ultimate challenge for those seeking a pure Scottish links golf experience. It's sublime. Our favorite hole is the Par 3 15th that depending on the wind will require a 130 yard to 210 yard shot over water and be sure not to miss right of the green.

After your round be sure to visit the clubhouse overlooking the 18th fairway which is perched on the hill providing sweeping 180 degree views of the course and the North Sea as well as high quality local food. After lunch your private transfer will drive you over to play The Castle Course.

Your final round of golf in St Andrews will be played on the Castle Course which measures 6759 yards. Opening in 2008, the Castle Course is a relaxing course with as equally draw dropping views of the Firth of Fourth you experienced in the morning at Kingsbarns Golf Course. The Castle Course sits high on the cliff-top and looks back down towards St Andrews and offers a birds eye view to this ancient town.

Most afternoons at the Castle Course, the easterly winds pick up and the higher positioning provides equally breathtaking views from most holes yet your golfing nerves will be tested to the maximum.

Even though it received some undeserved reviews in its early years, The Castle Course has stunning views of St Andrews and the North Sea is actually a great test of links golf and has improved year on year. It was designed to be a championship golf course which in my mind is supposed to be challenging and it certainly ticks that box. Blind tee shots, undulating fairways and two sometimes three tier greens require every shot in the bag. Our favorite hole has to be the 6th, at 421 yards off the white tee’s this hole has everything that a links hole should. A downhill tee shot which requires accuracy and distance control to avoid some well place bunkers followed by a second shot to well placed raised green. However, the most amazing part of this hole is the view that greets you once you grab your putter and head for the green. As you look back to the town you can see almost everything, the cathedral, the west sands and even the links, this is a true Kodak moment and a wonderful hole which makes The Castle Course a must play on any golfing trip to St Andrews.

Your final evening in St Andrews will be a leisurely one. Pub crawl anyone? That is usually how the Power Play golfing adventure ends. There's a wide array of pubs in St Andrews, all within walking distance. Each has their own specialty lagers, ales and draft beers on tap so be sure to walk the cobble streets, gaze at the wonderful old architecture of the Cathedral and listen to the centuries old chiming from the St Andrews University bell.

In accordance with your flight time, Kevin will arrange to have you picked up in plenty of time for your flight. Haste ye back road warriors.