Kingsbarns Golf Links – Episode #11
Posted on 27. Jul, 2009 by Andy Brown in Golf
In Episode 11 I have the pleasure of visiting Kingsbarns Golf Links, one of the newest courses in the hallowed home of golf, in the glorious sunshine.
Kingsbarns is a traditional Scottish links course set in a stunning seaside location just 7 miles from St. Andrews. The wide fairways stretch along 2 miles of spectacular coastline in East Fife.
In this show I’ll take you to the signature holes at Kingsbarns, the par-5 12th and 15th, I’ll show you the challenging 7th, 9th and 18th holes as well as the dramatic fairways and greens, the beautiful clubhouse, the stunning coastline and even some wildlife down on the adjacent beach!
15th hole
I start out by taking you to the 15th hole and offering you some top tips to help you make par on this hole. This hole is gaining a reputation as one of Scotland’s finest par 3s. With its fantastic views I think it’s our version of Pebble Beach!
Whenever I come to Kingsbarns I always see some fantastic drama on this incredible hole – I love it. From the tee at 212 yards I demonstrate how the hole can be played – either by simply going for it or by laying up on the left hand side of the green.
When you stand on the tee of the 15th at Kingsbarns you don’t know how windy it’s going to be, so my top tip is to check the trees on your left and also aim for the left bunker if you can because that’s a really good safe line. The last thing you want is to end up on the rocks on the right.
Once you get to the green you should take care because there are lots of borrows, contours and undulating ridges on this green.
If you can get a 3 or a 4 that’s a good score and you can move on having played one of the best golf holes in Scotland!
12th hole
Apart from the 15th one of the best holes at Kingsbarns Golf Links is the 12th – it’s a par 5, it goes all the way along the coastline and has to be one of the most stunning holes in the British Isles.
7th hole
The par 4 7th is a long tough hole at 470 yards from the championship tees. It’s important to miss the large hollow on the left side of the green, as recovering from here can be tricky.
9th hole
Next I take you onto the par 5 9th hole which is 568 yards long and I show you the cross bunkers and the deep bunkers on the right hand side of the green..
Like all of the greens at Kingsbarns there are 6 or 7 pin placements on the 9th green. However there is no other green like the 9th for the variety of placement. There is a large hollow and a ridge running across this green. This really is a tricky green but a lot of fun to play.
18th hole
I finish the show on the testing par 4 18th hole which is 444 yards from the tips. You final approach shot must carry the Cambo Burn. This is a finishing hole which is designed for maximum drama – it’s lots of fun and it could decide the outcome of your match.
Kingsbarns History
Golf at Kingsbarns dates back to 1793 and since then it’s had a turbulent history. The course closed in 1850 so that farmers could turn the land into farmable fields, and re-opened in 1922 when Willie Auchterlonie laid out a nine-hole golf course on the links at Kingsbarns Bay. Then in 1939 this course was mined for military purposes during World War II. Finally in 1999 Californian designers Mark Parsinen and Kyle Phillips created and opened the 18 hole golf course which features in this show.
Despite its infancy, Kingsbarns has the honor of being one of three venues for the annual Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, along with the Old Course and Carnoustie.
This spectacular course has also been selected as a Final Local Qualifying course for the 2010 Open Championship.
If you want the sights, sounds smells of sea while you are playing golf then Kingsbarns is the place to be. The elevated tees give you magnificent views of the landing areas of each hole as well as stunning views out to the sea. On the green you really need to have you’re “A” game with you because there are so many contours and subtle borrows – probably best to have a caddy on your first visit!
Good luck on your 1st visit to Kingsbarns!
For full details on how to play please visit their website.
Kingsbarns Golf Links
Kingsbarns Golf Links
Kingsbarns,
Fife KY16 8QD
Scotland
Telephone Number +44 (0)1334 460860
Fax Number +44 (0)1334 460877
Website: Kingsbarns.com
Email: Contact here
Finally the Question of the Day:
What is your favorite seaside golf course? Leave your comment below and we’ll have fun reading them!
Dick Anderson
11. Sep, 2009
I had previously forwarded your series to two golfing friends who went to Scotland this Spring (2009). I forward each of your articles to them and by now they should have signed up to receive your blogs. I will try to find some other golfers to do the same for them as I really enjoy your blogs.
Kevin Leyne
11. Sep, 2009
Hi Andy,
I’ve been lucky enough to play The Old Head of Kinsale a couple of times.
The course has spectacular backdrops and some stunning holes to match.
Well worth a visit if you’re golfing in the south of Ireland.
Would love to play some of the courses featured in your show such as The Old Course at St Andrews and Kingsbarnes – they look fantastic.
All the best,
Kevin.
Richard Howard
22. Aug, 2009
Dear Andy, viva Kingsbarnes , my own favourite is Rosses point in County Sligo in NW Ireland .
TheGolfClub
12. Aug, 2009
Hi Andy,
What a wonderful way to recharge me for the rest of the day. Good job on the video. Your energy really came through.
I like Kingsbarns thru your eyes.
I consider myself pretty good with the putter, it is the best club in my bag, and this would be one heck of a challenge.
My favorite course? It’s hard to say from Hawaii since I have so many friends here who have golf courses. But I’ll tell you this much. I got to play to play The Prince course before they built all the very expensive homes long the course. It was back when it was just converted from a private course to a resort course. I felt like I was walking in God’s park. I said to a friend: “I could do this for a living. Walk through the most glorious stretches of Mother Nature imaginable.”
Well, I’m still a working stiff BUT I’ve got my golf show and sometimes I get to walk through the most beautiful country. And not just in Hawaii.
Thank you again.
Danielle
Robin
03. Aug, 2009
Andy
I’m lucky to heve been ‘born and bred’ in St Andrews, so had plenty of play there in my youth, but recently I’ve played Brora north of Inverness. The weather the day we (my brother and I) played was sensational, breezy but sunny. The course is really worth a visit – a great challenge and a stunning links layout. Just be careful of the electric fences round the greens, there to keep livestock from the greens!
Voxxie
03. Aug, 2009
I also’d like to see your comments on Pinnacle Point course or Wild coast sun in RSA., Wild Coast sun with the eazterlies blowing from the par 3’s needs drivers for us poor hackers!!!
Mitch
02. Aug, 2009
Kingsbarns looks nice.
West Links at North Berwick is my favorite links course, followed closely by Cruden Bay.
Jack
02. Aug, 2009
Well Done Andy. I probably won’t play there but I have just played the PGA centenary course in Gleneagles which was great!
Glen Smith
01. Aug, 2009
Great show again Andy. The courses in Scotland are superb and your reviews certainly do them justice.Keep up the good work.
mickle
31. Jul, 2009
there is a neat little course, only 6 holes that you can play all day that is on a headland called crescent head in NSW Aust. Costs next to nothing and you can have a surf as well. Don’t be scared of sharks.
Melvyn Hunter Morrow
30. Jul, 2009
Andy
Yet, again, a very informative and interesting clip.
I am looking forward to when you venture to Askernish Golf Course on South Uist Outer Hebrides (www.askernishgolfclub.com ) and give us a report not just on the course but how you feel it plays. As you know, it reopened last year
(http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/sports/missing+hebrides+course+designed+by+golf+legend+returns+after+80+years/2431187) being the news Clip on Channel 4.
In addition, will you be undertaking a report on The New Course, St Andrews which seems to have been lost in the mist due to the hype over the new Castle Course. The New Course is I believed not that well promoted but Old Tom Morris thought it to be on par with The Old Course. Something I cannot say is true regards The Castle Course in my humble opinion. I keep expecting Prince Charles to pop up and repeat his famous speech of 20 years ago. ‘”What is proposed is like a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much loved and elegant friend” – the only difference is that this course has been built on what I call Land Not Fix for Purpose.
So hope you look at the New Course in your Travels and trust that one day you will show us what golf was like in the 19th Century by playing Askernish.
Great site can’t wait for your next episode.
Melvyn
ja walshe
30. Jul, 2009
the best seaside course is ARDGLASS GOLF COURSE, Co.Down..IRELAND…a real gem…come and play it!
James W
Greg
30. Jul, 2009
Hi Andy:
I had the opportunity to play Kingsbarnes and other courses a few weeks ago, and I must say it was the most scenic and one of the most challenging courses I have ever played. This was the first golf course I had ever played in Scotland, and this course alone made the entire golf trip worth wild. If anyone ever travels to Scotland, this course is a must play on your tour of courses.
Regards,
Greg
Cincinnati, Ohio
william
29. Jul, 2009
Another great show andy you can pick the weather which shows the course at its best have played some golf around greenock which have great veiws , galway bay is another and goldcoast golf hotel in waterford
Regards william
causeway coast NI
Phil Snelman
29. Jul, 2009
Hi Andy, another great show, many thanks.
I agree with Mark below, how about us seeing YOU hit some shots! We know you can play.
Best seaside course? Has to be Montrose Medal, what a wonderful golfing links experience.
Regards, Phil Snelman
Charles Mitchell
29. Jul, 2009
Andy I really appreciate your E Mails, thank you very much. I am now a senior golfer having played for many years. Since the opening I am a founder member of Sutton Green Golf Club in Woking Surrey. I have forwarded your tips etc to my son who is agolf fanatic Ex Captain and Chairman at Wildwood Golf Club, he now plays Gatton Manor. This is just to show my thanks for you correspondence
Steve Whayne
29. Jul, 2009
Hi Andy, my favorite seaside course is Brora in Northern Scotland (north of Dornoch). A James Braid design, you’ll think it’s 1909 instead of 2009 when you play it. Virtually nothing has changed since Braid designed it. There are even grazing sheep on the course!
Steve Whayne
Cincinnati, Ohio
Peter Fricke
28. Jul, 2009
Hi Andy,
unfortunately don’t know any courses in UK, but my favourite course is in South Africa, The Lost City course at Sun City (same place of the Gary Player course, where annual Nedbank challenge in Dec takes place).
Great videos and mails.
JENS FISCHER
28. Jul, 2009
Hi Andy,
It was great to see, But:
If you’ll be in South Africa at any time you MUST visit/play Pinnacle Point Course in front of the Indian Ocean at least one time. I’ve never seen or plaid such a crazy, crazy course before and never any time after !!…
Best regards – from your German “Golf Schoolboy”
Jens
Roy
28. Jul, 2009
Hi Andy
Thanks for the video and various e-mails.
Barry
28. Jul, 2009
My favourite course Newbiggin by the Sea Northumberland.
There are at least 4 Magic Movers to take your mind off a bad game.
We have horses tied up on ropes to mark the edge of the fairways.
Dog walkers and groups of Fishermen crossing the Fairways and Greens just to make your shot a little bit more challenging. If you go into the rough there is an army collectors ready to find your ball (when youv’e stopped looking)
On some days you can even see an occasional off road motorbike racing past a golf buggy,which is a sight to behold against the view of the Alcan Power Station chimneys.
derrick parsons
28. Jul, 2009
For eighteen brilliant holes with a different aspect each time you play, Hayling Island is fantastic. Panoramic views of the Isle of Wight and the Solent sound and a wind that will take you by surprise every time you hit a ball. The eleventh could be a mid iron to low driver depending on wind direction and force.
Derrick
Don Hammer
28. Jul, 2009
Hi Andy thank you for the tour I doubt I will ever get to play Kingsbarn but it sure is a beauty. My favorite Seaside Golf Course is the Kannapali in Maui Hawaii it has great vistas and it sure is a challenging when the trade winds are blowing.I know that I am not the oldest one to respond I am 57 Thanks Again
Don Hammer
Rabbit
28. Jul, 2009
Andy
That Kingsbarns looks a pretty tough windy track.
Many moons ago I was a member of the great seaside New South Wales Golf Club, La Perouse, Sydney, NSW, Aust. This course is the site for the 2009 Australian Open, involving the support of Greg Norman.
Gordon Reynolds
28. Jul, 2009
The best seaside golf course in the World in my opinion is Dornoch up on the North East coast of Scotland there is not a single dull hole on the course
David McAdam
28. Jul, 2009
In my young 70’s joined a golf group from aussie on a trip to Ireland. Loved Ballybunion, Lahinch and Waterville. But the real gem was Tralee, a challenge and a pleasure. But Andy don’t overlook the Jubilee course at your St Andrews, a most pleasant golfing journey.
If in Australia play Port Fairy and Barwon Heads, you wont be disappointed.
Now in the young 80’s I would like to tackle Barnbougle in Tasmania, that is if I could last the distance.
Malcolm
28. Jul, 2009
I have played Ashburton as mentioned in one reply, and it is very interesting and enjoyable course, with a Par 3 from the top of a cliff onto a green at the bottom, The best coastal links course I have played was in Bude Cornwall.
Malcolm Perth WA.
John
28. Jul, 2009
Hi Andy
Had the pleasure of playing Kingsbarns last September- great experience. Fantastic golf course (apart from the wind!!!!). I had 2 wonderful days with colleagues from around the world- hit a great tee shot on the 15th to no avail! Ball dropped in the bay- I’ll blame the wind!
Bruce
28. Jul, 2009
Dear Andy .
Yet another great clip .my favourite golf course
is the one i am at on the day .i love them all. but they
all drive me nuts.keep up the good work
Yours Bruce
Larry Quah
28. Jul, 2009
Thanks again, Andy, for posting this video. What a lovely course and with a rich history too. If not for you, I wouldn’t even know that such a course exists just seven miles out of St Andrew’s.
John Williams, London
28. Jul, 2009
Royal Dornoch is my heart’s favourite, especially on an autumn day with sea spray coming over the shoulders on the back nine with wind inspired waves crashing alongside. However, reluctant as I have to admit for an American inspired design, albeit upon original Scottish layout, Kingsbarns is my head’s favourite. The sea is in view from everyone of the 18 holes, but more inportantly every hole has it’s ownn character; no two are the same.
Matt Sturt
28. Jul, 2009
Andy,
Great, as somebody else said be good to see you hit a few balls.
Ken Brown look out !
Edwin Michael Oldham
28. Jul, 2009
Hi Andy
Seeing your Kingsbarn’s episode brought back great memories. I had the pleasure of playing there with my son in the “Drambuie Fife Golf Classic” in 2005. It was a wonderful experience. We also played at Ladybank, St Andrews Bay : Torrence and Devlin courses and the Old Course at St Andrews (the Old Course was not part of the tournament). Overall a wonderful golf trip to Scotland. We had sunshine the whole week and the other participants, from many parts of the world, thanked us for bringing the South African sunshine with us!
Thanks Andy I thoroughly enjoy your articles and videos.
BILL
28. Jul, 2009
Andy,
There are a lot of great comments above about great seaside links courses, KB#2 is the most spectacular hole @KB, Pebbel Beach # 8 and 18 a couple of the best in the world, but for true scenic beauty and a great golf course you need to play Cape Kidnapers New Zealand.
johnny
28. Jul, 2009
hi andy, kingsbarns look good but, manukau golf club nz is the one
Diane Hawkins
28. Jul, 2009
Matarangi – ‘The Dunes’ golf course, Coromandel, New Zealand is my favourite seaside golf course. Have only been playing for a couple of years….. Kingsbarn looks out of my league and budget for now.
david waters
28. Jul, 2009
Thanks for another interesting show. I agree with Mark’s comment. “like to see you play some shots on those holes”
john
28. Jul, 2009
Hi Andy, great show. My Favourite golf courses, Royal county down and Ballybunion inIreland ,but where I come from, downunder Australia Barnbougle Dunes in Tasmania is Hard to beat. Also loved Kauri Cliffs in New Zealand
cheers John L
Joel
27. Jul, 2009
Nice video. Shame you couldn’t get Kyle Phillips the architect to discuss. Kingsbarn looks very natural and lays on the ground nicely but the truth is almost everything there is shaped, it was a terrible piece of land. It’s just a great piece of construction from a talented architect.
Neil
27. Jul, 2009
Thanks Andy for your great show. as one can tell, the golf was really a task to undertake here. are there any real good scores? i would love to show pop this course and at 92, he would love to take a crack at it.
Darek
27. Jul, 2009
Hello, I’ve played recently Lundin Links and I think that was one of the best links course I have ever played. The stretch of holes 10-14 is superb, kinda links/parkland really weird from my point of view.
Darek, Scotland
Callander Golf CLub
John Littlefair
27. Jul, 2009
Hi Andy, Kingsbarns looks the business but I would stick with Formby on the Lancashire coast, even Royal Birkdale can’t compare, you should try it some time !!!!
Trevor Hyde
27. Jul, 2009
Thanks for the video, Andy. Kingsbarns looks a cracker. Unfortunately it’s out of reach for most of us because of the cost – you didn’t mention that, did you? What a shame that so many of the new courses are priced for the American market.
My favourite seaside course is North Berwick West Links.
Bill McTigue
27. Jul, 2009
Andy, I look forward to playing Kingsbarns when next up your way. My favourite seaside golf courses down here in Australia would have to be Apollo Bay (a pokey lttle 9 holer with breathtaking views in a small fishing village on the Great Southern Ocean), Port Fairy (further round the coast and a better golf course than Apollo Bay) and the jewel in the crown is Barnbougle Dunes in Tasmania – Australia’s best rated public golf course. If you get down this way for golf and don’t play Barnbougle you haven’t completed the Aussie golf experience.
R. Smitheringale
27. Jul, 2009
The best seaside course I have played is Sheringham in Norfolk, Bob.
Frederick Smith
27. Jul, 2009
I’ve played Kingsbarns in 2005., Cruden Bay in 2005 and Pebble Beach in 2007. The Ocean view off Pebble Beach over the front nine area is the most attractive with the white sand. Kingsbarns, however has the better golf course,beautiful and is more of a challenge to play. But Cruden Bay has the most beautiful course and sea – beach view combined. A great value.
All three are a must to play. And try the Cambo House next to Kingsbarns as your hotel. A terffic country house only 9 miles from downtown St. Andrews! It will beat the parking problems of downtown St. Andrews.
André Packwood
27. Jul, 2009
Hi Andy:
I’m a senior of 60 years old and have read each of your e-mails and viewed all your video you have sent.
Enjoyed reading and viewing your videos each time.
I had the pleasure of visiting England (Sussex) 10 years ago, the home of my ancestors.Very beautiful country and hope to see your part in the near future.
Andy don’t be discourage about my none subscription to your new methed of teaching Golf, it’s a matter of time. I’m like you about your garage (boy that made my day).
I have all most stop playing golf since a few years after almost 35years of playing. Yes I have lost many of my playing partners,not because of my play but they quite gradually for other activites. I still play on the occasion in company tournamemts type Vagas.
Last year I purchase a Medicus 7 iron and have been praticing with it and I’m surprise of the results but have trouble with distance. I know the problem and trying to correct it. Too much height which equals lost of distance. I promise myself that this would be my last training aid that I would buy and now you come along-boy it’s confusing. Yes I have been a high handicap player(101-115) but it’s a nice game anyway.
It took this video to take the time to write to you after all this time. Many thanks to you for reading me since I know you must be busy.
Faithful Subscriber
A.Packwood
phil
27. Jul, 2009
Andy: are you paid by KB to do this? It seems more like advertising than an unbiased assessment. What happened to critique of golf courses?
Andy’s Reply:
Hi Phil,
Many thanks for your comment.
My goal isn’t to critique golf courses, but instead to profile some of the hidden gems and any other aspect of golf I believe to be interesting.
I truly want to show everyone great courses and thus you won’t see me saying a bad word against a course. This is the reason why I won’t review equipment or gadgets (at the moment anyway) because it wouldn’t be in my nature to criticise products publicly.
The show is still finding its feet and I will ultimately go the way my community want me to go.
Cheers
Andy
Fred
27. Jul, 2009
Hi andy ! Thanks for the video, I truly enjoyed it. It reminded
me of another Golf Course by the sea that I played during
the early 60s. The Castle Harbour Links. Owned by the
Castle Harbour Hotel in Bermuda. It is on the eastern
end of the island and is surrounded by the Atlantic ocean.
What a view and a tough course to play. The Hotel and
golf course are way above sea level so that makes the
course more difficult as fades and pulls are always
extra strokes on the score card. Thanks again for the
video and I look forward to your golfing tips which I pass
on to some of my better customers. I am in the repair and
custom club making business.
EIGHTY ONE YEARS YOUNG AND COUNTING .
HAVE A GOOD DAY ! !
Fred in Pennsylvania, Pa. USA
Dave
27. Jul, 2009
For views Bamburgh in Northumberland will take some beating as you can see 6 Castles from the links on a fine day, for golf I would say Goswick near Berwick upon Tweed which is a open pre qualifying course.
Jim McMenemy
27. Jul, 2009
This is truly an inviting course to play Andy.
Jim.
LeRoy Gilsdorf
27. Jul, 2009
I enjoyed the tape and hope to play some courses. I am 79. I have played St Andrews about 4 years ago. I shot an 85 with rented clubs and played with 3 golfers from Canada, one owned a course in Canada and he had his son and Greens Super. with him. Love Scotland
Stephen
27. Jul, 2009
Having recently played kingsbarns I must say it was outstanding and certainly in the top two that i have played . The other course that I like a lot is Whistling Straits in Kohler Wisconsin . although it is not on the ocean it is on Lake Michigan and it looks like the sea . anyway , that is my top two …
Edward Kodatt
27. Jul, 2009
Although I’ll probably never play King’sbarns G.C. at my late age, it was a nice video to watch. Thanks Andy.
Edward
Kenny
27. Jul, 2009
I may be a bit bias but i think The Isle of Harris Golf Club in the Western Isles of Scotland has got to be one of the best coastal course. The views are unrivaled anywhere
mark
27. Jul, 2009
Andy,
It would be great to see you hit the odd shot into these holes…how about it?
Les
27. Jul, 2009
Looks like a great course. My favourite coastal course is Umdoni in Kwa-Zulu Natal. http://www.umdonipark.com/ No chance of winning the oldest viewer I’m a young 69. Cheers
brian
27. Jul, 2009
Ashburnham Links golf course is the best sea side golf course in Great Britain even though Mr Billy Willeams, who is 98 years can pull a trolly around it .