The Experience Golf

What The Experience Golf does

The Experience Golf is a luxury golf tour operator headquartered in St Andrews, Scotland, with satellite sales offices in London, Dublin, and New York. Originally founded in 1995 as The Old Course Experience (later The Experience St Andrews, then rebranded to The Experience Golf in 2024), the company curates fully managed, multi-destination golf vacations across Scotland, Ireland, and England, and reports having welcomed more than 60,000 golfers on its programmes since inception. Its value proposition rests on (1) Authorized Provider status with the St Andrews Links Trust dating to 1995, granting guaranteed Old Course tee times without ballot entry, (2) Official Tour Operator appointments for The Open and the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, and (3) on-the-ground operations from a 20+ person team based in St Andrews.

The product set is split between pre-defined Signature Tours (Ireland Signature Tour from £6,440; The 1867 Club from £7,800; Father & Son Golf Tournament from £8,999; Home of Golf Tours from £8,052; Open Venues Signature Tour from £9,920; 2027 Ryder Cup 12-Night Tour with Golf from £13,995, all per person) and a Bespoke Experience Builder that allows customers to configure custom multi-destination itineraries online before sales-team follow-up. The company distributes through direct online booking for Signature Tours, inquiry-based bespoke sales, PGA Section referral channels (six US sections including Colorado and New England), B2B travel-agent and concierge resellers, and dedicated event packages for the Ryder Cup and The Open.

Revenue is generated primarily as a service margin layered onto tee times, premium accommodation, private transport, on-ground concierge support, and ancillary add-ons (luggage shipping via Luggage Forward, off-course cultural experiences for non-golfers). Customer concentration is distributed across affluent individual golfers, corporate entertainment groups, PGA-led golf club groups, multi-generational families, and non-golfing companions. The company is a subsidiary of Compass Group UK & Ireland via Keith Prowse and Levy UK, operating under the legal entity Compass Contract Services (UK) Limited; financial details are not publicly disclosed.

Name

The Experience Golf

Legal name

Compass Contract Services (UK) Limited

Website

https://theexperiencegolf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Experience Golf is a luxury golf tour operator headquartered in St Andrews, Scotland, curating fully managed multi-destination golf vacations across Scotland, Ireland, and England for affluent individual golfers, corporate groups, PGA-led golf clubs, and family tournament participants, anchored by its long-standing Authorized Provider status for St Andrews Old Course tee times and Official Tour Operator status for the 2027 Ryder Cup.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Golf Tourism

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Golf Tours & Professional Circuits (MPAKAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Golf & Leisure Full-Service Hotels (THAGAAAH)

Keywords

• Luxury golf tours
• Golf vacation packages
• Golf tour operator
• Bespoke golf itineraries
• Old Course tee times

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Luxury Golf Tour Packages: Fully managed luxury golf vacation packages bundled with guaranteed tee times, premium accommodation, private transportation, on-the-ground support, and optional add-ons such as fine dining, sightseeing, whiskey tastings, and additional rounds. Revenue is recognized upon completion of the tour. Pricing ranges from approximately £6,440 to £13,995+ per person depending on itinerary, duration, and courses included. Minimum stay in St Andrews is five nights.
2. Signature Tour Bookings: Pre-packaged curated golf experiences including Father & Son Tournament, Ireland Signature Tour, The 1867 Club (women's golf), Open Venues Signature Tour, and Home of Golf Tours. Customers book directly online via Book Now button.
3. 2027 Ryder Cup Official Tour Operator: Official Tour Operator for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, marketing and selling official ticket-inclusive travel packages ranging from 5-night to 12-night luxury itineraries with golf rounds in Ireland and Scotland.
4. PGA Professional Group Services: Complimentary booking service for PGA Professionals travelling with groups of seven or more members. Revenue is generated through the group package bookings rather than fees to the PGA professionals themselves.
5. Luggage Forward Partnership: Preferred shipping partner relationship with Luggage Forward, offering golf club and luggage shipping services to The Experience Golf customers at preferential rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Experience Golf is a luxury golf tour operator that curates and delivers fully managed golf vacation packages across Scotland, Ireland, and England. Its core offering bundles guaranteed tee times at iconic courses (including the Old Course at St Andrews via its Authorized Provider relationship), premium accommodation, private transportation, on-ground concierge and ground-team support, caddie coordination, and optional cultural add-ons such as distillery tours, spa visits, and sightseeing. Customers can either book pre-designed Signature Tours directly online or build fully bespoke multi-destination itineraries through the Bespoke Experience Builder tool with sales-team follow-up.

Product overview

The Experience Golf is a luxury golf tour operator that curates bespoke and packaged golf experiences across Scotland, Ireland, and England. The company's core offering consists of Signature Tours (pre-packaged itineraries including Ireland Signature Tour, The 1867 Club, Father & Son Golf Tournament, Open Venues Signature Tour, and Home of Golf Tours) and a Bespoke Experience Builder allowing customers to create custom multi-destination golf vacations. Additional services include Ryder Cup event packages, PGA Professional group bookings, off-course cultural and activity experiences, and luggage shipping. The company operates as part of Lyvera Group (subsidiary of Compass UK & Ireland) and is headquartered in St Andrews with satellite offices in London, Dublin, and New York.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ireland Signature Tour A 7-night, 6-round luxury golf tour of Ireland featuring some of the world's best links courses and Irish hospitality, departing September 5-12, 2026, priced from £6,440 per person.
• The 1867 Club A women's golf experience offering 5 nights and 4 rounds from £7,800 per person (June 12-17, 2027), celebrating women who share a passion for the game.
• Father & Son Golf Tournament The 25th anniversary of the annual Father and Son golf tournament held April 16-22, 2027 in St Andrews, featuring 6 nights and 5 rounds from £8,999 per person, combining family, competition, and traditional golf.
• Open Venues Signature Tour A 7-night, 6-round tour from June 13-20, 2027 visiting legendary Open Championship courses across Scotland, including the Old Course, priced from £9,920 per person.
• Home of Golf Tours Luxury golf trips to St Andrews offering tee times at the finest courses from May 9 to August 13, 2027, with 6 nights and 5 rounds from £8,052 per person, designed for single and paired golfers.
• Bespoke Experience Builder An online tool allowing customers to build fully customizable multi-destination golf vacations, selecting preferred courses, accommodation, travel dates, and adding sightseeing or multi-country golf tours, with expert team follow-up.
• 2027 Ryder Cup 12 Night Tour with Golf in St Andrews A 12-night luxury golf tour (9-21 September 2027) combining 4 rounds of golf in St Andrews including guaranteed Old Course play with attendance at the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, priced from £13,995 per person.
• PGA Professional Group Booking Service Specialized booking service for PGA Professionals traveling with groups of seven or more members, offering advance tee time reservations at courses including guaranteed Old Course times, with complimentary places for qualifying groups.
• Off Course Experiences Non-golf activities including cultural tours (Edinburgh Castle, Titanic Experience, St Andrews Walking Tour), distillery visits (Darnley's Gin Making), spa treatments (Kohler Water Spa), and outdoor pursuits (Gleneagles Falconry and Clay Pigeon Shooting) for non-golfers accompanying tour groups.
• Luggage and Golf Club Shipping (via Luggage Forward) Preferred shipping service through Luggage Forward for shipping golf clubs and luggage from customers' homes to their destination and back, with rates claimed to be up to 50% less than FedEx or UPS.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 60,000 golfers welcomed since 1995
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Ryder Cup Travel Services (RCTS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2025Ryder Cup Travel Services appointed both Gullivers Sports Travel and The Experience Golf as Official Tour Operators for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, County Limerick, Ireland. The appointment includes full authorization to market and sell official ticket-inclusive travel packages. RCTS has operated as Official Travel Operator for Ryder Cup Europe since 1997.
• St Andrews Links TrustflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995Established partnership dating back to 1995. The Experience Golf (originally The Old Course Experience) was appointed by St Andrews Links Trust as an Authorized Provider of Old Course Tee Times, one of the very few suppliers able to provide guaranteed tee times for the Old Course. This partnership is the cornerstone of the company's business.
• Bando SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBando offers contemporary golf accessories fusing performance-driven design with streetwear-inspired style, all made from recycled materials. Partnered for sustainability-focused merchandise and accessories gifting.
• Bushnell/Foresight SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBushnell and Foresight Sports are leaders in golf technology, providing tour-trusted launch monitors and performance data solutions. Both brands work with The Experience Golf through on-course activations, competition incentives for the Father and Son tournament, and gifts throughout the season.
• CallawayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of the world's most recognized golf brands, specializing in industry-leading equipment from drivers and irons to headwear and golf bags. Trusted by golfers at every level. Partnership provides equipment and branded gifting opportunities.
• ECCO GolfminorGTM or Marketing PartnerECCO Golf redefines golf shoes combining athletic performance with effortless style. Newly partnered to provide prize opportunities and shoe care kits for guests at the Father and Son tournament.
• HLINCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHLINC delivers high-performance golf apparel engineered for movement, comfort, and style, with wet-weather design in mind. The Experience Golf team is kitted out from head to toe in HLINC for links golf conditions.
• Pine CoastminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPine Coast promotes mental and physical well-being through golf with a premium range of apparel and accessories. Guest yardage books and scorecards are housed by Pine Coast products on The Experience Golf tours.
• StitchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStitch provides handcrafted, premium golf bags and accessories pairing tour-level functionality with clean design. Partnership ensures guests arrive in style with quality golf bags.
• VesselminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVessel creates luxury golf bags and accessories with minimalist styling and premium materials. New to the partnership mix for gifting and prizes at the Father and Son tournament.
• Luggage ForwardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred shipping partner for golf club and luggage shipping. Collecting from customers' homes and delivering to their destination and returning home. Offers preferential shipping rates for The Experience Golf customers (saving up to 50% versus FedEx or UPS) and handles all customs documentation.
• Keith ProwsecoreOthersKeith Prowse is the UK's hospitality industry leader with official appointments at Wimbledon, Twickenham Stadium, and other iconic events. The Experience Golf is a subsidiary of Keith Prowse, which is part of Levy UK, the sports, leisure and hospitality division of Compass Group UK & Ireland.
• Gullivers Sports TravelcoreOthersGullivers Sports Travel has been at the forefront of bespoke travel experiences for over 50 years, delivering unrivalled itineraries for sporting events. Both brands are under Levy UK / Compass Group. The Experience Golf and Gullivers Sports Travel were jointly appointed as Official Tour Operators for the 2027 Ryder Cup.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Bandon Dunes Golf Resort: Multi-course luxury links golf destination in Oregon targeting dedicated golf travelers with stay-and-play packages. Comparable in targeting bucket-list golfers seeking pure golf experiences, though as a single-property destination rather than a tour operator.
• Pebble Beach Resorts: Iconic luxury golf destination on the California coast offering stay-and-play packages at one of the world's most aspirational courses. Comparable in luxury golf hospitality and aspirational positioning but as a single-destination property rather than a multi-course tour operator.
• Troon Golf: Global leader in golf course management, club operations, and golf hospitality operating hundreds of premium facilities worldwide. Broader incumbent in the luxury golf space with overlapping HNW customer base and tee-time inventory but operating model is asset-based club management rather than tour operations.
• Trump Golf: Portfolio of luxury golf properties worldwide operating trophy assets such as Trump Turnberry and Trump Doonbeg. Comparable in premium positioning and links-course luxury golf tourism but operating model is property ownership/management rather than tour packaging.

Direct peers

• Golfbreaks: One of the largest UK-based golf tour operators offering golf breaks and packages across Scotland, Ireland, England, and continental Europe. Closest direct competitor in scale, multi-destination packages, and self-serve online booking model.
• PerryGolf: US-headquartered luxury international golf tour operator offering custom and escorted golf trips to the British Isles, Ireland, and other premier destinations. Directly comparable in target customer (affluent golfers), bundled package format, and Old Course / links tour focus.
• Your Golf Travel: UK-based online golf tour operator offering packaged and custom golf breaks across Europe with strong digital booking capability. Overlaps in target customer, UK/Ireland destination focus, and price-tiered packaged offerings.
• Premier Golf: US-based luxury golf tour operator (formed via merger of Carr Golf with Premier Golf) specializing in international golf vacations to the British Isles and other destinations. Direct competitor in the US-to-UK/Ireland luxury golf travel segment.
• Carr Golf Travel: Ireland-based luxury golf tour operator specializing in fully customized trips to Ireland, Scotland, and beyond with strong links-course expertise. Comparable in premium positioning, bespoke itinerary model, and emphasis on iconic venues.
• Gullivers Sports Travel: UK-based sports travel company and sister company under Keith Prowse / Compass Group, jointly appointed Official Tour Operator for the 2027 Ryder Cup. Closely comparable in itinerary-building model, premium hospitality, and shared parent infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/experience_golf
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@theexperiencegolf
• Facebookfacebook.com/theexperiencegolf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-experience-golf
• Instagraminstagram.com/theexperiencegolf

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Experience Golf