When Kingsbarns Golf Links debuted in 2000, it did so to near universal praise. The late Mark Parsinen and architect Kyle Phillips had a monumental task before them when they set out to transform a relatively flat and featureless piece of farmland into a course worthy of its illustrious location.
Over 20 years later, the question of how a modern links golf course would hold up with the Old Course at St. Andrews just down the road has been answered many times over.
Simply put, Kingsbarns Golf Links delivers one of the finest experiences the game of golf has to offer anywhere on the globe. If you’re counting down the days until a tee time at Kingsbarns, here are a few things that shouldn’t be missed along the way.
The 3rd Hole
The Kingsbarns golf course features no less than three par-5s along the edge of the North Sea.
The first comes at the 3rd hole which, like most things at Kingsbarns, serves a risk-reward proposition. If you manage to avoid the sea off the tee, the shortest par-5 on the course may provide a good look at birdie.
Of course, that’s assuming that your approach avoids the cavernous bunker that guards the right side of the green.
Credit: Kingsbarns Golf Links
The 8th Hole
The par-3 8th hole at Kingsbarns Golf Links is nicknamed Wee Dunt or “small bump.” You won’t need much more than that to find the putting surface, but you will want to pay special attention to the pin position.
The 8th green is bisected by a large swale which runs close to parallel to the line of play and splits the green into two halves. If your tee shot finds the opposite half of the green as the pin, you’re in for an interesting two-putt.
Credit: Kingsbarns Golf Links
The Kingsbarns Distillery
Located right next door to the famous links, the Kingsbarns Distillery has been producing Scotland’s finest export since 2014.
After your morning round of golf, you can stop in for an insightful tour, enjoy a private tasting session, or even take part in a gin making class and take home your own special recipe.
For all of these reasons, Kingsbarns is a popular choice for those looking to enjoy Scotland golf and whisky tours.
The 12th Hole
The second seaside par-5 at Kingsbarns also happens to be one of the most photographed holes on the golf course.
After passing through a small wooded area and across a meandering creek, the march up the hill to the 12th tee eventually reveals one of the great panoramas of the day. All 606 yards of the hole stretches out before you, wrapping its way around the rocky shoreline.
But unlike many waterfront holes in Scotland, there’s no need to take on the water’s edge off the tee. If your drive hugs the right-side for safety, the slope should bring it back safely to the middle of the fairway.
Group Captain Bruce Eyre and Friends enjoying a stunning afternoon on the 12th tee at Kingsbarns Golf Links
The 15th Hole
As you emerge from the woods en route to the 12th tee, a look to the left will provide a preview of one of the best par-3s in Scotland.
From the tee, the peninsula green – surrounded short, long, and right by the sea – appears to be a frighteningly small target. Like most things at Kingsbarns, however, the reality of the design is far more forgiving. The green is larger than it first appears, with slopes that will guide some shots to the center of the green.
Still, the 15th hole at Kingsbarns Golf Links presents both an intimidating and unforgettable test.
The 18th Hole
At some links golf courses, the 18th hole is an underwhelming affair. Not so at Kingsbarns.
After a well placed tee shot, Kingsbarns gives you one final test to close the round. It comes by way of a lengthy 2nd shot over the Cambo burn, which was unearthed during construction of the course.
If you decide to play short and take your chances with an up and down for par, the lay up is no easy task either, with the ground running hard and fast toward the burn. Whatever route that you choose, a closing par is well-earned.
The Clubhouse Patio
When your day is done on the golf course at Kingsbarns, chances are that you’ll want to savor it for just a little while longer. From the clubhouse patio, you can tally the scores, raise a glass, and relive the highlights of the round, all while enjoying the beautiful panorama of the 18th green backdropped by the North Sea.
It’s a fitting end to one of the finest golf experiences on the globe. Kingsbarns won’t leave you battered and bruised. Instead, it’s likely to supply some of the best memories of your golf trip to Scotland.
It’s also guaranteed to leave you wanting more.
For more insight on planning your golf trip to Scotland, visit the pages below or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.
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