Forget your woes at golf's spiritual home

It's all about minute changes and endless refinement. But it's also a sport of booming drives and long walks. It's a game that's at its best when the vistas stretch endlessly beyond even your wildest drives, and you can spend hours soaking up the views.

Fairmont St Andrews is bedded into the crest of a cliff overlooking the North Sea, just a few miles south of the historic Scottish market town and golf haven.

The 18th-ranked golf resort in Conde Nast Traveler's top 100 is enveloped by a sweeping and tranquil landscape, and is the perfect place to twist your tee into the earth. Last month saw the re-opening of The Torrance, a par 72, 7,037-yarder designed by 2002 European Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance. The newly refurbished course is flanked by The Kittocks, a 7,049-yard championship course which slides along the Fife coastline.

The Torrance course will host the final qualifying round of the 2010 Open Championship, but less illustrious golfers can pick up lessons from head golf pro John Kerr before settling in for salad or sandwiches in the loftily-perched Clubhouse.

The courses and the location may be spectacular, but Fairmont St Andrews isn't just about swinging. A recent £17million refurbishment has added a new lustre to the entire resort, which also features a spa with 12 treatment rooms, a fitness centre and pool.

Those who aren't lured by the links can sink into the Scottish Stone Massage, where birch oil is combined with warm stones to release tension. And Torrance has lent his name to an invigorating treatment for golfers, while facials and stress relief massages also knead out the city stiffness.

There are also six restaurants and bars on site, from the Mediterranean-styled Esperante restaurant to the sports-themed Rock and Spindle lounge bar.

The St Andrews resort is stuffed with 209 guestrooms and suites, and the lucky few can devour views of St Andrews from the balcony of the presidential Kingdom of Fife suite, where Tony Blair stayed during the Northern Ireland peace talks.

Fairmont currently operates 56 different resorts in locations such as Singapore, New York and Switzerland. But St Andrews general manager Charles Head admits the resort has enjoyed brisk business as holiday-makers seek relaxation without crossing the ocean.

He said: "The corporate market has been very challenging over the last year, but the leisure market has been absolutely fantastic.

"Since August we haven't had a month under 25 per cent year on year growth. In May it was 50 per cent over. A lot of people are staying home and travelling within the UK and taking short breaks.

"You automatically associate St Andrews with golf. It's a blessing having the oldest golf courses in the world here, but you have also got a lovely market town with the castles and gardens. There's so much to do."

As Scotland's largest conference resort, Fairmont St Andrews is as big a draw for suits as it is for slacks. It boasts a 15,000 square food conference centre, the Robert Burns Ballroom, 14 meeting rooms and its own theatre.

Air France can whisk you up to Edinburgh from London City Airport in just over an hour, and there's a shuttle service that can take you the rest of the way. And thanks to the new Fairmont Fit programme you can now travel light, as workout gear such as tracksuits, shoes and MP3 players can be delivered to your room if you sign up for the President's Club.

Charles Head said: "People want to limit the amount of luggage they carry, and this has given them that added convenience factor. "A lot of people are embracing the concept."

Golf pros such as Sam Torrance and Peter Mitchell will be hitting the course for the Scottish Senior Open on August 21. But the "home of golf" isn't just for those with an eye-watering handicap. Aim for the perfect drive by all means, but remember to stop for a back rub and a sandwich as well.

Go to fairmont.com/stAndrews

THINGS TO DO

Wander the course: Fairmont St Andrews boasts two championship courses, The Kittocks and The Torrance. Another 20 courses are sited just a short drive away, including the famous Old Course.

Take a walk: The resort lies on the 150km Fife Coastal Path, which runs from the Tay Bridge in the north to North Queensferry in the south. See castles, rugged coastline and idyllic fishing villages.

Unwind: The Fairmont Spa offers locally-themed massage, facial and relaxation therapies, using natural products such as wild nettle, rosemary, heather and the salt and seaweed scrub. A Generosity Massage also features a donation to the Coast and Countryside Trust.

Sample the food: Esperante's award-winning menu features delights such as sea scallops, foie gras and sea bass and Scottish beef. The locally-caught fish and chips from Kittocks Den is popular, sports are beamed into the Rock and Spindle and there are snacks and afternoon tea in the Atrium.

Soak up St Andrews: St Andrews is a relaxing market town with family-run shops. Sightseers can grab a quick snap of the cathedral and castle. Small fishing villages such as Crail and the artist's retreat of Pittenweem are nearby.