About Kingsbarns
Kingsbarns is the finest modern links course in Scotland, a design of breathtaking coastal drama that feels as though it has always been there.
Opened in 2000 on ancient linksland south of St Andrews, Kingsbarns was designed by Kyle Phillips with developer Mark Parsinen on what had previously been coastal farmland. The restoration of links character to this stretch of the Fife coast, with eight holes running directly along the cliffs of the North Sea, produced a course that was immediately celebrated as one of the best new layouts in the world. Unlike many of Scotland's great courses, Kingsbarns operates on a resort basis, meaning visitor access requires no member introduction and no handicap restrictions limit who can play.
- Back Stile, Kingsbarns, St Andrews KY16 8QD, UK
- Free parking
Kingsbarns
Scotland's Fife peninsula is already one of the most storied stretches of golf geography in the world, anchored at its northern tip by St Andrews and its five links courses. Kingsbarns adds something that St Andrews itself cannot provide: the spectacle of golf played directly against a backdrop of cliffs and open sea, with the North Sea visible from almost every hole on the eastern side of the course. When Kyle Phillips and Mark Parsinen identified this coastal farmland in the late 1990s as the site for a new links, there were sceptics. The linksland character had been buried under decades of agricultural use, and the creation of a world-class course here would require significant earthwork. What emerged justified every ounce of ambition behind the project.
Eight of Kingsbarns's eighteen holes run along the cliffs above the sea, and on the most exposed sections the fairways tip towards the water, demanding accurate driving and clear-headed approach play when the wind is blowing. The greens are large and sympathetically contoured, designed to accept running approaches from a variety of angles, and the bunkering is thoughtful rather than punitive. The course rewards creative play and intelligent course management, and it holds up well on repeat visits because the variety of hole shapes and directions means no two rounds feel identical. The 15th, a long par 3 to a green set above the shoreline, is among the finest short holes built in the modern era.
The resort operation at Kingsbarns has made the course one of the most visited in Scotland, and this accessibility has not come at the expense of quality. The course is maintained to a standard that would be the envy of many private clubs, and the clubhouse offers good hospitality in keeping with the resort character. For those planning a Fife golf trip, the combination of St Andrews and Kingsbarns offers a perfect contrast: the ancient and the modern, the public ballot and the resort booking, the historic town and the cliff-edge landscape. Few stretches of coastline in Britain deliver this level of golf across this small a geographic area.
Opening Hours
- Monday6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Tuesday6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Wednesday6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Thursday6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
What Golfers Say About Kingsbarns
A selection of recent visitor reviews from Google.
Shane Rodecker7 months agoMy new #1 favorite course and the most beautiful course I've played. Beautiful views of the North Sea from most holes, and the course is in immaculate condition. Our caddies Calum and Ethan were excellent in helping us navigate the course and greens with great senses of humor, and having them with us for the round made our experience absolutely perfect. When we spoke to a few employees at St Andrews and told them we were playing Kingsbarns, many of them said that if they only had the opportunity to play one round in Fife, Kingsbarns would be their choice, even over the Old Course.
Katie Malehorn8 months agoKingsbarns is a stunning and well-kept course with North Sea views from nearly every hole. The layout is modern but challenging, and the conditions were excellent. Caddies and staff were professional and friendly, and the food in the clubhouse was delicious. Even though it’s a newer course, it’s absolutely worth a visit—definitely a must-play in Scotland.
Dr. RL9 months agoThis is a fantastic golf course. We had a 6:20am tee time and it played perfectly. It is tough but fair. Stunning views from every hole. Conner, our caddie was terrific. The traps are tough but they should be because you are playing golf in Scotland. I think this is the nicest golf course I’ve ever played, even better than Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is unique and beautiful. I highly recommend it and will play it every time I am here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book a tee time at Kingsbarns?
What is the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and does it involve Kingsbarns?
How far is Kingsbarns from St Andrews?
Is Kingsbarns suitable for higher handicap golfers?
What makes Kingsbarns unique among modern links courses?
Other Golf Courses Near Kingsbarns
More clubs within easy reach of Fife.