Unveiling the magic of Kingsbarns Golf Links: A Scottish gem

The trade day is essentially Kingsbarns Golf Links’ way of inviting leading tour operators to come and experience just how spectacular their course is. It’s also their way of saying thanks to us for bringing golfers from all over the world to their links. It’s pretty much a fantastic perk for us! In a recent article, I raved about the Cabot Highlands Castle Stuart golfing experience, and I must say, Kingsbarns is right there with the best.

Similar to Castle Stuart, Kingsbarns is a fairly new course—it opened in 2000. I can't help but wonder how many hundreds of thousands of golfers have walked these famous links courses in the past 24 years!

Kingsbarns is just a stone's throw from St Andrews, nestled about a 90-minute drive from Edinburgh and close to two hours from Glasgow. There are several ways to get there, and having tried them all, I can tell you the travel time is pretty much the same no matter which route you pick.

I usually take the A915—it’s scenic and passes right by other Scottish treasures like Leven Links and Lundin Links. If you go this way, you might even drive past the entrance to Dumbarnie Links, another fantastic golf spot worth adding to your bucket list. Keep an eye out; I’ll be blogging about that one soon!

For this year's trade day at Kingsbarns, they let us bring a guest, and my good friend Jim Killens was thrilled when I invited him. Jim's a big golf fan and a member at both Dullatur GC near Glasgow and the nearby Crail Golfing Society—I knew he'd love the day. Unfortunately, he fell ill at the last minute and had to bail, which was a real bummer. Next time, buddy…

I was set to tee off at 10:30, and on a whim, I texted another pal, Ramon McDermott, around 8:20 as I was heading out. Ramon’s from Ireland originally but has been in Edinburgh for years. Like Jim, he’s pretty keen on golf. I never thought he'd be free, let alone manage to organise a quick trip, but then I got a thumbs-up emoji from him, and he was on his way. I guess the chance to play at Kingsbarns and be pampered all day is just too good to pass up—you find a way to make it happen!

Kingsbarns really knows how to do things right. You're greeted by a lovely drive up to the club and there's always someone there to welcome you with that warm Scottish hospitality. The clubhouse is just beautiful, perched above the 18th green with breathtaking views across the course and out towards The North Sea. I’ve played Kingsbarns several times, and the clubhouse staff are just fantastic—always smiling, engaging, and super friendly.

After grabbing the usual bacon roll and a cup of tea, I headed over to the range for a quick warm-up. As I was walking past the car park, I started hearing what sounded like panting and heavy breathing. I was like, "What in the world is going on?" I turned around, and there was Ramon hustling towards me, his shirt tail out, sweating buckets, and his golf clubs nearly spilling out of his bag! I couldn’t help but laugh and said, "I can't believe you made it here so fast!" He just panted back, "Aye, but I might not have a driving licence to get me back home though!" What an effort! We had to cut the practice session short, but it was straight off to the clubhouse for his well-deserved bacon roll!

Alan Hogg is the CEO at Kingsbarns and he's really great at steering the ship. But, if we're being honest, it's his wife Audrey who's the real powerhouse behind everything. She and her team run a tight ship (sorry, Alan 😊)! When we arrived, we checked in with Audrey at the meet and greet area by the 1st tee, and she surprised us with two gorgeous personalised Kingsbarns holdalls. Poor Ramon's had "Jim Killens" on it, but thanks to the magic of technology, we had it switched to his name in like 30 seconds.

We met our playing partners, Graham Campbell and Conor McCloskey, right there on the 1st tee. They were a couple of lovely guys, and we were lucky to spend the next few hours enjoying their company. The friendly starter at the 1st tee handed us a welcome goody bag that all visitors get, and just like that, we were off!

The first hole at Kingsbarns is a pretty welcoming start. It’s not too intimidating and offers plenty of space for that first tee shot. There’s some gorse on the left, but there's ample room on the right if you need a bit of a safety net before you hit up to a raised green. Just remember to grab an extra club; otherwise, your ball might roll back down the slope at the front of the green.

At 323 yards from the black championship tee, it’s not the most challenging opener, which is nice for shaking off any jitters, but throw in a 15-20mph wind and it plays quite differently. That first green is a bit tricky with all its undulations. Scoring a 4 is a great start, and a 5 isn’t the end of the world.

Moving on to holes 2 and 3, you’ve got the North Sea to your right until you turn back around for the next set of holes. The second is a neat little downhill par 3, and beyond the green, you can see the mouth of the Firth of Tay with the iconic Carnoustie on the far shore.

The third is a generous par 5, where anything hit up the left will likely catch a slope and roll nicely into the middle of the fairway. Conor’s second shot there wasn’t his best, and his ball ended up on a ledge in one of the freshly revetted bunkers—it was a sight to see! I couldn’t help but laugh, but being the good guy I am, I let him drop it without penalty since we were just out for some fun. Plus, I didn't want him roughing up the greenkeeper’s hard work!

Playing the tricky par 3 9th at Kingsbarns is a treat with its gorgeous backdrop of trees and the sea just to your left. While you're lining up your shot, you can also catch a glimpse of the 15th green off to the side, which is definitely one of the standout holes at Kingsbarns—but more on that later.

The 9th is a par 5 that heads back towards the clubhouse. It's a fantastic hole with a generous fairway. However, whether you're playing your second or third shot, the approach can be a bit dicey, so make sure you nail your yardage. The green has a center top tier that slopes sharply down to the front and back, and watch out for the sneaky gorse hidden right behind the green.

Every year, Scotland hosts the Dunhill Links, where top golfers from around the world come together for a pro-am event at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, and The Old Course at St Andrews. In 2003, Ryder Cup star Lee Westwood made an unbelievable albatross on the 9th by holing his second shot! Next time you're there, check out where he hit that 4-iron from and imagine pulling off the same shot!

When you make it to the halfway point at Kingsbarns, you'll find “The Bunker Bar”—always a sight for sore eyes (let’s be honest, any halfway house is a welcome sight, right?). We were greeted by another wonderful staff member who offered us a choice of hot or cold drinks and some snacks. It’s the perfect spot to take a breather for a few minutes and think over your game so far on the front nine.

The 12th hole at Kingsbarns is hands down one of the most epic par 5’s you’ll ever tee up on. Imagine this: you're standing on a high tee, the waves are smashing against the rocks all along the left, painting a scene as dramatic as it is breathtaking. The hole curves beautifully from right to left, leading to a massive yet narrow green that's sneakily bunkered. Stretching a whopping 606 yards from the back tees, it’s both a beauty and a beast—see what I did there? 😉

Then there's the 15th, truly a world-class hole. It's a par 3 where you’re hitting directly over the North Sea and the rocky edge below. Most folks tend to play it safe and aim left to avoid the water, but that leaves a really tough shot to save par. Scoring a 4 here isn't bad at all—the key is just keeping that ball dry. Usually, visitors tee off from the green tees at 161 yards, which is manageable. But from the black tees at 212 yards? It’s a whole different beast. A fantastic hole, really.

After the 12th, as you head towards the clubhouse, the sea stays on your right for most of the back six, except for the final hole. The 18th is a tricky par 4, starting with a tee shot that ideally lands you atop the hill on the fairway. From there, it’s downhill and then back up to a raised green. Watch out for the burn lying in wait about 20 yards short of the green—it catches more balls than you’d believe. When you’re choosing your club for the approach, take my advice: whatever you think you need, go up at least one or two clubs. Anything short is likely to roll back into a watery grave, but there’s plenty of room behind the green, so better long than short! Trust me, there are no prizes for coming up short here.

Even though it was a gorgeous sunny day in the Kingdom of Fife, it started to get a bit chilly, and I was really looking forward to warming up with a nice bowl of chowder and a pint. If you haven't had it, chowder here is this thick, hearty soup loaded with fresh Scottish seafood and veggies—it's practically a meal on its own! After finishing up on the 18th, Ramon and I shook hands with Conor and Graham. We all talked about how much we enjoyed the game and felt pretty lucky to be spending our Friday at Kingsbarns, experiencing its beauty.

The chowder was everything I hoped for, and the rest of the food and the amazing staff just topped off the whole experience. They really make you feel welcome and at home. You could sit in that clubhouse all day, just soaking in the hospitality and the stunning views. But eventually, it was time to head home. And yes, Ramon made it back with his driving license still in hand!

Now, I know Kingsbarns has gotten some flak over the years for its green fees. Yes, it's pricey, but it’s not like you're going to play here every week. For many, it's a one-time bucket list experience. So, if you're lucky enough to get the chance, definitely grab a tee time and enjoy it. You'll love every minute.

Remember, it's not just about the green fees—it's the whole package: the warm welcome, the practice facilities, the food quality and service, the clubhouse, the course condition, and the course itself. Kingsbairns really checks all the boxes. Just ask any of the thousands of golfers who come from all over the world each year to play here—it’s an experience you won’t forget!