Just along the coast from St Andrews is Kingsbarns, a blockbuster of a modern links in a spectacular cliff-top setting, opened in 2000.
Crafted on land that first witnessed golf in 1793, Kingsbarns quickly went to the top of many wish lists for its rugged scenery, testing championship course and lavish hospitality.
It features as one of three top-notch courses used in the European Tour’s annual Dunhill Links Championship along with St Andrews’ Old Course and Carnoustie.It has also been ranked as one of the top 100 courses in the world.The Kingsbarns Golfing Society was established in 1815 and its members played on the original 9-hole Kingsbarns course until it closed in 1850.[5]
The course was re-established in 1922 and the golfing society was reformed as Kingsbarns Golf Club which remains in existence today. Willie Auchterlonie laid out the course in 1922 which closed again at the onset of the Second World War. Land mines were installed on the course site as part of the national security defence effort and the ground reverted to rough pasture.
Construction of the current Kingsbarns Golf Links began in November 1997 under the direction of architect Kyle Phillips and the course opened in July 2000. The course has no membership and welcomes visitors.
