Good Morning Keith,
I wanted to send a quick note and a picture regarding our trip. Thrilling pretty much sums up the trip. I want to thank you and the whole PerryGolf team for your professionalism and experience in setting up a trip we will remember for the rest of our lives. Every day provided a new and exciting experience which if possible, seemed greater than the day prior. From Western Gales, to Carnoustie (where we experienced the four seasons of Scotland all in one day including hail), to Turnberry with the stunning views and where we finished the 18th hole under the sound of Scottish bag pipes from the hotel, to the history and grandeur of St. Andrews (hitting the 2-day ballot not once but twice), the beauty and beast of Kingsbarns, Muirfield defined by fairness and difficulty, a thorough challenge which included a “proper” lunch topped with a liquor called Kimmel and lastly with the charm and history of North Berwick with spectacular views.
The weather was cold and windy, most days a two club wind, but it only added to the flavor of the trip. The accommodations were wonderful, a nice mix of history and tradition at Troon and Greywalls and along with the contemporary feel of the Fairmont.
Again, thank you for partnering with us on our trip. A lifetime memories delivered in full.
G.N. ~ PerryGolf client, April 2015
Scotland Golf Vacation ~ A Customized PerryGolf Trip
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What golf courses did they play in Scotland?
Dundonald Golf Links
Located on the Ayrshire Coast just north of Troon, the course designed by Kyle Phillips of Kingsbarns fame is a wonderful addition to the classic links courses in Ayrshire. A genuine links course in every sense, stretching to 7,300 yards from the Championship Tees. It has all the features you associate with links golf, a meandering burn, revetted bunkers, gorse and heather, undulating fairways and natural greens.
Read about Dundonald Golf Links
Western Gailes Golf Club
Rated by many visitors to Scotland as its finest ”unknown”, and perhaps its most enjoyable. The course relies on natural defenses created by the sand dunes and wind. A traditional links layout that plays in a loop with its toughest stretch along the banks of the dunes that generally plays into the prevailing wind.
Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry
Lying on a spectacular curve of rockbound coast in the southern reaches of Ayrshire, the coastal scenery is magnificent especially from the 4th through the 11th passing the famous landmark lighthouse at the turn. This is a demanding links, and an ever present wind will make for a tough examination of your golfing skills. In 2009, the Ailsa Course hosted the Open Championship for the 4th time when golfing legend Tom Watson lost out to Stewart Cink in a play off for the Claret Jug.
VIDEO: Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry
Old Course, St Andrews
The “Home of Golf”, the Old Course at St Andrews has played host to the greatest golfers in the world and produced many of golf’s dramatic moments. Wide double fairways, seven extensive double greens, and a multitude of intimidating bunkers are just some of the unique features you will encounter. Playing host to The Open this July 2015.
VIDEO: How to play the famed 17th hole on the Old Course with Colin Dalgleish of PerryGolf
PerryGolf Guaranteed Tee Time Availability ~ Old Course at St Andrews
Kingsbarns Golf Links
Its historical origins date back to 1793. Its sandy, links land soils are the basis for this heritage, and produce the fine-bladed fescue which are the cornerstone of fast-and-firm playing surfaces that characterize links golf. Designed by Kyle Phillips and opened anew in 2000, its rebirth has been shared with golfers from near and far with outstanding reviews. The links features spacious rolling fairways, large greens, and exceptional sea views on every hole. A challenging yet enjoyable champion-standard traditional Scottish links course.
Carnoustie Golf Links
Host to the British Open on seven occasions and considered by many to be the most challenging of all Open venues. While the links is relatively flat it is exposed to the elements. A combination of length and accuracy are required from the tee and approach shots demand precision to the greens heavily guarded by steep bunkers and burns. Arguably the toughest finishing holes in championship golf, the course gained much praise following a testing but fair set up for the 2007 Open Championship. Carnoustie shall again host The Open in 2018.
Muirfield – The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers
Muirfield is Home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, and consistently ranked as Scotland’s finest course. The course of today was laid out by Harry Colt. The clockwise front nine envelopes the anti-clockwise back nine creating the ultimate layout which causes you to play in a variety of wind directions. The Open Championship was held at Muirfield for the 16th time in 2013 when Phil Mickelson claimed the Claret Jug.
BLOG: Muirfield – The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers
North Berwick Golf Club
Like the Old Course at St Andrews, the links of North Berwick start and finish in the town. The links is one of Scotland’s earliest golf clubs and correspondingly a very traditional links layout. The West Course requires unusual shot-making, along with blind shots and play over stone dykes. One of its features is the par 3, 15th ‘Redan’ which is probably the most frequently copied short hole in the world.
VIDEO: North Berwick Golf Club
Where were their hotel accommodations in Scotland?
The Marine Hotel Troon
The 4-star Marine Hotel is a grand building with magnificent views over the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran, overlooking Royal Troon Golf Course. The hotel boasts a wealth of leisure and fitness facilities, including a modern fitness suite, sauna, spa bath, steam room, indoor pool and beauty salon. All bedrooms are en suite and elegantly designed, some with views of Royal Troon. Wireless internet and parking are free of charge to hotel guests. The restaurant hosts ”Two Fat Ladies at The Marine” and is the most recent addition to their highly acclaimed portfolio in Glasgow. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily serving only the best of locally sourced ingredients with stunning views out to sea.
Fairmont St Andrews
Fairmont St Andrews is located on the outskirts of St Andrews on the road to Crail. Sitting on the summit of a spectacular cliff formation, the hotel and its two championship golf courses have breathtaking panoramic views of the River Tay estuary, the North Sea, the Fife countryside and the medieval skyline of St Andrews. This international resort opened in the spring of 2001 and was then taken over by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, providing an excellent standard of service and a meticulous attention to detail. In addition to the two excellent golf courses on site, you may enjoy the Spa, a haven of peace and tranquility. Enjoy a few easy lengths of the 18-metre pool, relax in our Jacuzzi, sauna or steam room. Included in your rate is full WiFi internet access in the public rooms and guest bedrooms.
Greywalls Hotel
Greywalls is a Country House Hotel in the village of Gullane that looks out over the immaculate 9th and 18th greens of Muirfield. It was designed as an Edwardian home for the Weaver family, who used to live in the house. Although Greywalls was opened as a hotel in 1948 it retains the look and feel of the house that was designed in 1901 by the renowned Edwardian architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. King Edward VII used to stay at Greywalls and admire the views across the Firth, south to the Lammermuir Hills, immortalized by Sir Walter Scott. Today most bedrooms are still furnished with period pieces and have their own bathroom. The paneled library, perhaps the most inviting room in Greywalls, offers the guests the warmth and comfort of real fires and discrete first class service.
Let us know what you have in mind!
About the Author: Harrison Gould is the Social Media Marketing Manager of PerryGolf, a leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
