I have never thought of myself as a hapless ‘golf widow’. So when my husband Roger and I were invited by The Experience Golf to spend a week in St Andrews where he would be playing some of the best golf courses in the world, I relished the idea of exploring the town of St Andrews and beyond.
It turned out that The Experience Golf are so well-versed in offering their clients alternative things to do and places to explore away from the course that I was somewhat spoilt for choice.
Firstly, I should say that we had such a comfortable room at the famous Old Course Hotel that it would have been easy to stay put and not think about moving far at all. The view from our room was stunning, looking out over the iconic Old Course towards the famous 18th hole and beyond that to the West Sands beach and the sea.
I did in fact spend some pleasurable hours reading my novel by the window, glancing out from time to time over the course towards the sea, and listening to a great many golf balls being whacked under my open window.
The West Sands beach is where the award-winning 1981 movie “Chariots of Fire” was filmed. The moving scene of runners Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams racing along the beach getting in shape for the 1924 Olympic Games makes it one of my favourite films.
So I just had to go to the scene of the action, where I enjoyed a bracing walk along the sand (not a run!), watching diving seagulls and swimmers brave enough to enter the cold sea.
I was able to luxuriate in some first class pampering in the Kohler Waters Spa at the hotel. I chose their special Truffle Massage Experience – a 90 minute full body and head massage. It was a splendid treatment administered by Leanne, a friendly and experienced therapist. I left feeling like I was walking on air and totally relaxed. The spa has a 20-metre indoor spa pool, sauna, steam room, a hydrotherapy pool excellent for soothing tired muscles after a day on the golf course – or walking around town.
The Experience Golf staff were always on hand to offer help and advice about interesting things to do both for Roger when he was not playing golf and for me when on my own.
I found St Andrews the most attractive historical town with stunning old buildings to look at and explore – a place that somehow managed to feel both lively and peaceful at the same time.
It is not just known for golfing excellence but for academic prowess too, and the university is always much sought after by students, especially for arts and humanities subjects. I spent an enjoyable few hours wandering around the impressive quads and grounds. For those who don’t know, this is where Prince William went to university and met and fell in love with a young lady called Kate Middleton – now the Princess of Wales. Many natives of the city were keen to point out to me The Northpoint Café where they used to meet for coffee.
If you are keen on culture you can take an historical guided tour around the town, but I preferred to wander on my own to discover its treasures – for one, the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral where I enjoyed walking around the impressive ruins and the large cemetery, where I read intriguing inscriptions on the headstones going back over the centuries. Then there’s the 13th century ruined St Andrews Castle, home of bishops and a grim prison for religious dissenters.
St Andrews is not all history and culture but also a great place to shop. Of course as you would expect there are a great many shops selling golf clothes and related paraphernalia. But I discovered many independent stores ranging from fancy kitchen outlets, gift shops and boutiques, and plenty of small cafes on the main drag and down charming side streets from where to relax and watch the world go by. The town is also well-served by many well-known high street fashion stores packed with familiar brands. So if cathedrals and castles are not your thing you could happily spend a day shopping.
The Experience Golf arranged a lovely day out for Roger and I in the coastal region of East Neuk, where we explored a group of delightful old fishing villages just a half hour’s drive from St Andrews.
There is an opportunity of visiting Darnley’s Gin Making Facility where you can learn the business and at the end of the day take home a bottle of the gin you have made yourself. Something we can look forward to on our next visit!
In summary, while St Andrews is obviously known as the Home of Golf and much of the focus is naturally on the sport, it has so much else to offer the non-golfer.
