Luxury Scottish Golf Tour (5 Days)

This four night package at one of Scotland’s leading golf resorts has been put together for a group of golfers, looking to experience the very best of what Scotland offers – on the golf course, at whisky distilleries, sightseeing and in the finest Scottish restaurants.

The golf suggestions are not a ‘tick list’ of Championship courses, but cover courses where the golf will be challenging, yet enjoyable, with some superb scenic settings. The courses suggested are also suited to a range of handicaps.

The suggestions should be viewed as a start point from which a final package can be created to suit the client’s precise requirements as best we can.

The itinerary is based at the five star Gleneagles Hotel, famed as a superb base for both high standards of accommodation and championship golf. Gleneagles is just to the south of the Scottish Highlands and even with a full golf itinerary it will still be possible enjoy a taste of some typical Highland scenery, perhaps visit a castle, and most certainly enjoy sampling whisky at a local distillery. Just a short drive from Gleneagles is the Tullibardine distillery which offers Connoisseur tours including an extended tour of the distillery, ‘nosing’ and tasting up to five different malts.( At a supplement arrangements can be made to visit the Glengoyne Distillery for a Master Blender Tour where it is possible to blend your own unique brand of whisky).

Additional activities, from the many leisure events available within Gleneagles, can also be arranged as part of the group’s stay.

We have included one day in the St Andrews area so the group have the opportunity to visit the ‘Home of Golf’ and visit not only the British Golf Museum but also the last remaining golf club manufacturer in Scotland.

• Number in party – 4 golfers
• Accommodation – Estate rooms for single occupancy at the Gleneagles Hotel for 4 nights
• Transport – Executive coach with driver

Day 1

Fly from London to Dundee Airport. Meet with coach and transfer to Gleneagles Hotel. Lunch at the Dormy Clubhouse at Gleneagles. 18 holes on the Gleneagles Queen’s course. An informal whisky tasting followed by private dining at the Gleneagles Hotel

Day 2

After breakfast, the group meets for a morning warm up and lesson with one of the Gleneagles Golf Professionals.
18 holes on Gleneagles PGA course. Lunch at the Dormy Clubhouse. In the afternoon a Connoisseur Tour of the Tullibardine Distillery. Dinner at a small local restaurant in the nearby town of Auchterarder. After dinner visit a Casino for the evening.

Day 3

An early start for breakfast, then travel to St Andrews for a visit to the British Golf Museum. An ideal opportunity to browse for golfing items at the famous Auctherlonies golf shop. 18 holes on Kingsbarns Links. After a light lunch, tour the St Andrews Golf Co, a traditional golf club maker. Return to St Andrews for a walk around the links followed by dinner at the renowned Peat Inn

Day 4

After breakfast straight to golf and a warm up and lesson with a Gleneagles Professional. 18 holes on Gleneagles King’s course. In the afternoon, should time permit, visit Blair Castle followed by an opportunity for shopping at the House of Bruar. Dinner in the 2 Michelin starred Restaurant Andrew Fairlie.

Day 5

Option of 18 holes of golf if the travel schedule allows. Possible courses include Carnoustie or the New course in St Andrews. Transfer to Dundee Airport for departure to London.

Package costs

Total cost of 4 night package as above $US 15,240 per person based on a total group size of 4 golfers, all in Estate rooms for single occupancy.

Included in the package…

• Accommodation at Gleneagles for four nights with each member of the group having an Estate standard room for single occupancy (upgrades to Suites are available at additional cost)
• Breakfast on each of four mornings
• Private dining at the Gleneagles Hotel on one evening
• A la Carte dinner at the Andrew Fairlie restaurant at Gleneagles on one evening
• Golf on each of five days at the courses specified above (dependant on handicap)
• Club hire at each course
• 2 x 1 hour tuition sessions with a Golf Professional from the Gleneagles Hotel
• A Gleneagles Golf Professional accompanying the group on each of three rounds played at Gleneagles
• Four caddies at each of the golf courses being played
• Four buggies on the Gleneagles PGA Centenary course
• Transport by executive coach as required throughout the five day stay in Scotland
• Services of a translator throughout the group’s stay (if required)
• Entrance to the Tullibardine distillery for a Connoisseur tour
• Tour of the St Andrews Golf Co. club making factory
• Entrance to the British Golf Museum
• Entrance to Blair Castle
• Full planning and support services prior to, and during, the group’s stay

NOT included in the package…

• Transport between London and Scotland – see notes below
• Lunch on any day of the trip
• Dinner in Auchterarder on Day 2
• Dinner at the Peat Inn on Day 3 (A budget cost for golfers own payment for these non-inclusive meals would be $US650)
• Any supplements for dinner at the Restaurant Andrew Fairlie on Day 4
• Any drinks consumed at any time during the trip
• Travel to and from the UK
• Entry to, or spend during, a visit to a local Casino (an alternative can be provided if required)
• Play with a leading professional golfer – please see additional notes below.

The golf experience

Handicap Information

Both the Championship course at Carnoustie and Kingsbarns Golf Links have handicap limits of 28 for gentlemen and 36 for ladies. (We can arrange play on other courses where the handicap is not critical).

Tour Golf Professional (If booked)

We can arrange for the group to play with one of the more senior European professionals, who have played on the PGA Tour. Possible golfers include past European Ryder Cup Captains, who are also amongst Europe’s best known and most successful players. Those available for personal engagements include:

• Bernard Gallacher
• Sir Nick Faldo
• Bernhard Langer
• Colin Montgomerie
• Sam Torrance

The costs will vary considerably and for the above names may vary from $US 27,000 to $US 200,000.

It is impossible at this time to advise on the availability of any specific golfer. We would suggest that it would be best to confirm travel dates and we can then give more precise information on possible options for professional golfers who may be able to play with the group. More detailed biographies would be provided at that time.

It is also important that we are able to brief the Professional on the playing ability of the group and we must receive information on the group’s handicaps and golfing experience. Their time with the Professional can therefore be appropriately tailored to the group’s abilities and ensure a more enjoyable experience for them all.

Making the Most of the Gleneagles Golf Experience

For the players to make the most of the superb courses at the Gleneagles Resort, we have included tuition and warm up time on two mornings with one of the Hotel’s team of expert golf professionals, using the facilities at the PGA National Golf Academy at Gleneagles. This can be range time, or can concentrate on other areas such as the keys to a good short game, putting or playing into the wind (an important ability in Scotland!).

We have also suggested that one of the senior members of the Gleneagles Professional team walk with the group on each of their rounds on the Queen’s and PGA courses. The Professional will not play on these rounds but will be able to give the players a valuable insight to each course as well as providing advice to the players on the vital skill of course management.

On the day the group are joined by the Tour Golf Professional (if booked) the golfers will play as 2 x 2 balls. The Tour Professional will accompany each group for 9 holes and the Gleneagles Professional will play with each group for 9 holes. The Tour Professional will talk golf, and about their experiences, as well as demonstrate some shot making, while the Gleneagles Professional will provide playing guidance.

Caddies / Ride on Buggies

Our proposal includes one caddie for each golfer for each round of golf and a ride-on buggie for each golfer on the PGA course at Gleneagles. This is the only course on the itinerary which permits buggies.
Please note: Caddies expect a tip or gratuity in addition to the standard fee. For a job well done a caddie would expect a minimum tip of $US 30 – $US 50 from each golfer using their services. Caddie tips are settled in cash at the end of the round.
Each caddie will carry one golf bag.

As the golf during the trip is sure to be competitive in spirit the golfers should appreciate the additional guidance and local knowledge that a caddie can bring. Kingsbarns offers an excellent standard of caddie and Gleneagles have recently invested in a major new caddie programme which will ensure a high quality of service on each of the Hotel’s three courses.

The courses at Gleneagles present challenging blind shots and some tricky greens. The greens at Kingsbarns can be particularly deceptive and damaging to what could otherwise be a respectable score.

Flights to Scotland

The choices are flying by scheduled airline from London – there are options direct to Dundee from London City, and to Edinburgh from London Heathrow and Gatwick. Flight costs vary from $US 350 – $US 550 per person return.

A private jet from London Luton airport to Dundee can also be arranged with an outline cost of around $US 5,000 per person (ONE WAY).

Ground Transport while in Scotland

From arrival at the airport in Scotland to departure from the same airport, the group will have at their disposal an executive standard 8 seater coach with driver. The exact vehicle available will depend on the dates of travel but our executive coaches normally have leather seats, air conditioning, CD or DVD player and a fridge for drinks.

The drivers are very experienced in working with golf parties and will ensure that the group are where they need to be at the right times. The coach provides the group with flexibility for sightseeing and other activities when they are not on the golf course.

Non- golfing activities at Gleneagles

(these can be supplied at an additional cost)

• Falconry
• Gundog School
• Trout Fishing
• Clay Pigeon Shooting
• Horse Riding
• Off Road Driving
• Scenic Safari

Purchasing and personalising clothing

A wide variety of golf clothing and branded Gleneagles clothing is available at Gleneagles. Some of these can be personalised but not all.