St Andrews Links

Courses

Edinburgh is an hour or so away from St Andrews, the home of golf, where the game has been nurtured and developed for 600 years. As any golfer knows, a game on the Old Course is something to write home about. It is world renown for being the longest running venue of the Open Championship and it still challenges even professional golfers, as well as having the benefit of being a public course. Alongside the Old Course, are five 18-hole courses and one 9-hole course. Families could try the Strathyrum and Balgrove courses, which are generally more relaxed.

Prices

Prices start from £64 per adult in the low season ( 1st Jan – 31st March) to £140 per adult in high season (18th April – 16th October). There are reduced prices for children under the age of 16.

Accommodation

The famous St Andrews Golf Hotel is definitely recommended to enhance your golfing excursion. Although small-scale with 22 rooms, it is large enough to provide unrivalled service and small enough to cater to your individual needs. It really is a high-class establishment, with prices ranging from £145 for a single room to £260 pppn for the Junior Suite.

If you'd like to save your money for sampling the courses, then 1 Golf Place Inn could be a good place to stay. It is located in St. Andrews, close to the University and Aquarium and offers guests a relaxing stay.

Transport

From Edinburgh by road, take the A90 over the Forth Bridge, which connects to the M90. Continue north until junction 7 and take the A91 following the signs to St Andrews. Journey time is approximately one hour.

St Andrews does not have its own train station. Visitors should get off at Leuchars station and travel into St Andrews either by bus or taxi. The journey time is approximately 10 minutes.
A free shuttle bus service runs between the Links Clubhouse, the Eden Clubhouse and the Golf Practice Centre in the summer months.

Braid Hills

Course

Braid Hills is a historic gem of a golf course, commanding unrivalled panoramic views across the capital.  The course offers something for all golfers: a beautiful walk, with unforgettable views to the Castle, Arthurs Seat, North Berwick Law and over the Forth to Fife; a fun challenge with a variety of holes. Braid Hills is a Par 71 that will test the experienced golfer, and give golfers of all abilities a memorable round.

Prices

For the driving range, 100 balls are £7 whereas 20 balls cost £1.50. There are discounts for juniors, seniors and students before 6pm. Last balls are 30 minutes before close.

Accommodation

The Best Western Edinburgh Braid Hills Hotel, one of the best-known and traditional Edinburgh hotels. We recommend this hotel, as they have arranged an extremely good rate for their guests, £23 per round, on the Braid Hills Golf Course, which is only a quarter of a mile away. A double room will cost around £60 per night.

Transport

Public transport is the best means of travel. Take a bus to Comiston Road and alight near the junction with Braid Hills Road. Take the second right turning and immediate left fork onto Braid Hills Approach to reach a parking area.

Carrick Knowe

Course

Carrick Knowe is a mature parkland golf course, located close to the city. As with many of the other courses in Edinburgh, it is framed with natural beauty including the Castle. The par 70 course is suitable for all handicaps and ages. The course has undergone remodelling and the front nine holes have been constructed to USPGA specification, giving an interesting comparison between the old and the new.

Prices

Weekend Saturday-Sunday £21.00 per round.
2011 Season Ticket £385.00 (per annum unlimited golf for year).
Season Ticket Concession £299.00 (per annum over 60 years of age).

Accommodation

The Dalhousie Castle and Spa Hotel is a thirteenth-century castle providing warm Scottish hospitality, ideally located for keen golfers. Edinburgh Airport is just 14 miles away. It is a true paradise, and the ideal place to relax and unwind after a day of golf. Priced from £125 per night for a standard double, to a scorching £485 per night for a character themed room with dinner bed and breakfast included.

If you're on a tighter budget, the Abadour Hotel offers a package for golfers; £252 for 3 nights in a twin room, breakfast and 3 Rounds on the course.

Transport

All the following Lothian Buses go from Edinburgh city centre:
12 - The Jewel - Princes Street  - The Gyle
26 - Tranent - Princes Street  - Clerwood
31 - Polton - Princes Street - East Craigs
100 - Airlink

The North Berwick Golf Club

Course

The North Berwick Golf Club's stunning course winds its way along the Firth of Forth, across the hills of the East Neuk of Fife and culminates at the clubhouse in town. It stakes its claim as one of the oldest in the world, and has held many legendary matches. This is a must-play course for your stay in Scotland.

Prices

The low season offers you weekday and weekend rounds at £60, when the high season prices range from £85 for a game to £115 for the day.

Accommodation

Situated in the Heart of North Berwick, The County Hotel is a fantastic place to stay when visiting the area. With its 10 bedrooms it is large enough to accommodate groups but small enough to maintain it's friendly traditional seaside hotel style atmosphere. The hotel is ideal for Golfers, as the hotel offers reductions for group bookings and can obtain discounts at many of the local courses.

If you want to indulge yourself a bit more, there is the Macdonald Marine Hotel & Spa. It is an ideal base for golfers, who can choose from nearly 20 courses in the surrounding area. A double room will set you back £270 per night.

Transport

North Berwick is in the East Lothian area, and the X5 bus runs from Edinburgh to the site every hour from Monday to Saturday. There is also the 238 First Scotrail train, which runs every 60 minutes from Edinburgh train station.