Hawkswood Country Estate · Peat Inn, Fife, Scotland
Stay Where Champions Play — Premier Golf Lodging in Fife, Scotland
Five-star exclusive-use estates, ten minutes from the Old Course. The base that legends choose when the world comes to St Andrews.
Reserve Your Stayat St Andrews
the Old Course
reach in Fife
driving range
at St Andrews
The Home of Golf
Where Every Major Becomes Legend
St Andrews is not simply a golf destination. It is the sport's cathedral — the ground where rules were written, records were broken, and careers were sealed forever in history.
Golf has been played on the links of St Andrews since at least the 1500s. The Old Course is widely considered the oldest course in the world, and The Open Championship — golf's original major, contested since 1860 — has returned to these fairways more times than any other venue. When the world's greatest players want to test themselves against the truest measure of the game, they come here.
For American golfers, St Andrews holds a special reverence. Arnold Palmer put The Open Championship on American television by returning to Scotland in the early 1960s — and he was followed by a procession of legends. Jack Nicklaus won his two Open titles here and made his emotional farewell in 2005, pausing on the ancient Swilcan Bridge before a crowd of 290,000. Tiger Woods dominated the course with victories in 2000 and 2005. Cameron Smith hoisted the Claret Jug in 2022 before the largest Open crowd ever recorded.
"St Andrews has provided a fitting backdrop for several of the game's greats to bid farewell to major championship competition."
— PGA TourThe Open Championship begins
Golf's oldest major is born — St Andrews becomes its spiritual home and most frequent host.
Tiger Woods dominates
Woods wins at St Andrews by eight strokes in 2000, then five strokes in 2005 — two of the most dominant performances in major championship history.
Record crowd of 290,000
The 150th Open at St Andrews sets the all-time attendance record. Cameron Smith claims the Claret Jug in front of the biggest gallery in the championship's history.
The 155th Open returns
St Andrews hosts The Open once again — the 31st time the championship is held here. July 11–18, 2027. Book now to be part of it.
Beyond the Old Course, St Andrews offers six further layouts — the New Course, Jubilee, Eden, Strathtyrum, Balgove, and the dramatic Castle Course — while the wider Kingdom of Fife holds over 40 courses within easy reach, including Kingsbarns Golf Links and the acclaimed Dumbarnie Links, opened in 2020.
Hawkswood Country Estate
Where Champions Come to Rest
A five-star, family-run estate set in 37 acres of Fife countryside, just ten minutes from the Old Course. This is not a hotel. It is a private retreat — built for golfers, chosen by legends.
Hawkswood Country Estate began as a personal project of passion. In 2006, the Ainscough family discovered two derelict farm buildings — once dog kennels and stables — in the peaceful hamlet of Peat Inn, seven miles from St Andrews. After years of meticulous restoration, Hawkswood House opened to guests in 2014, followed by The Roundel in 2016 and finally Bowhill House. Together they form one of the most complete golf retreats in Scotland.
The estate earned a swift and notable endorsement: during The 2015 Open Championship at St Andrews, six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo chose Hawkswood as his base. Masters champion and fellow Ryder Cup legend Sandy Lyle has also stayed here. Their choices were no accident — Hawkswood offers the privacy, comfort, and on-site facilities that serious golfers demand.
Hawkswood House
The flagship property. Five king-size en-suite bedrooms, two reception rooms with wood-burning fireplaces, a full gourmet kitchen, terraced balcony with panoramic Fife views, private hydro spa, and its own short-game area. The Whirlpool bath and plush robes and slippers ensure every evening ends as well as the round began.
The Roundel
Named for its breathtaking circular great room — a soaring conical oak ceiling, antler chandelier, and five broad windows looking out to rolling Fife countryside. Five individually designed en-suite bedrooms, private hydro spa under a bespoke pagoda, dedicated short-game area with 9 holes and two bunkers, and Mediterranean BBQ terrace.
Bowhill House
A luxurious accommodation directly opposite Hawkswood House and The Roundel. Five spacious en-suite bedrooms with roll-top baths and power showers. Perfect as a standalone retreat or to supplement a larger group booking — accommodating up to 30 guests across the full estate.
On-Estate Golf Facilities
Practice Like a Professional
Around 80% of golf is played within 100 yards of the pin. Hawkswood was designed with that fact in mind — giving you everything you need to sharpen your game before you face the Old Course.
270-Yard Driving Range
A full private driving range reserved exclusively for estate guests — no shared tee times, no waiting. Warm up properly before heading to the course or work through your swing in complete privacy.
Private Short-Game Areas
Two purpose-built short-game areas — one at Hawkswood House (5 pitching mats, 6 holes, 2 bunkers) and one at The Roundel (3 pitching mats, 9 holes, 2 bunkers). Designed and built by professionals with deep experience of Scottish links conditions.
Golf Concierge Service
Hawkswood's dedicated golf concierge handles tee-time bookings at St Andrews and throughout Fife, equipment hire via partner services, and all logistics. If a course can be booked, they'll book it for you.
Expert Coaching
Former European Tour player Peter Whiteford — current coach of the Fife Men's Team — is available for one-to-one sessions and group clinics. Professional-level guidance, on your doorstep.
Luxury Transfers
Guests staying three or more nights receive one complimentary return transfer per day within the St Andrews and East Neuk area, using the estate's 16-seat luxury mini coach or 8-seat minibus. No rental cars, no parking stress.
Hydro Spas & Leisure
Private hydro spas at Hawkswood House and The Roundel for post-round recovery. Continental or full Scottish breakfast options. Optional private chef catering. One mile from the Michelin-starred Peat Inn restaurant.
Exclusive Use & Booking
Plan Your Pilgrimage
Hawkswood is taken on an exclusive-use, self-catering basis. Each property sleeps up to 10 guests — or take the whole estate for up to 30 people. Your group. Your schedule. Your private kingdom.
Unlike a hotel, Hawkswood does not mix guests from different bookings. You have the entire property — the grounds, the facilities, the driving range, the spa — to yourself and your party for the duration of your stay. It is the model that top-level golfers have always preferred: private, unhurried, and completely focused on the game.
We recommend you book Hawkswood Country Estate early. For major championship weeks — including the 2027 Open Championship at St Andrews — availability is limited and demand is extraordinary. The R&A received over one million ticket applications for the 2026 Open at Royal Birkdale; accommodation near St Andrews during Open week is an equally competitive proposition.
For groups traveling from the United States, Hawkswood recommends booking a minimum of 3 nights to fully benefit from the complimentary daily transfers and to allow time for multiple course visits. Flights to Edinburgh Airport place you approximately one hour from the estate; Glasgow Airport is around 90 minutes away.
When to Book
Best Times for Golf in St Andrews
May – September
The prime window for golf in Fife. Long daylight hours, milder temperatures, and full-season course availability. Book as far in advance as possible — 12 months ahead is not unusual for summer weeks.
April & October
Shoulder season offers excellent conditions with slightly more availability. Spring brings the courses back to peak condition after winter; October delivers dramatic Fife skies and fewer crowds on the links.
Winter Breaks
True links golf was designed for winter play. The courses remain open, greens fees are lower, and the elemental challenge of Scottish coastal golf is never more authentic than in the off-season.
2027 Open Championship
The 155th Open Championship returns to the Old Course at St Andrews on July 11–18, 2027. This will be the 31st time the championship is held here. Hawkswood is just 10 minutes away. Availability for Open week is extremely limited — contact the estate now to register your interest.
The Course is Waiting.
So is Hawkswood.
Exclusive-use properties sleeping up to 10 guests each, or 30 guests across the full estate. Private facilities, golf concierge, and ten minutes from the Old Course.