Played by NCG: Kingsbarns Golf Club

Reason for a Kingsbarns Golf Club review

We were guests of Mercedes-Benz, who were hosting the MercedesTrophy National Final at the Fife course.

Where is it?

A short drive from St Andrews, Kingsbarns is found among 1.8 miles of spectacular North Sea coastline. The club is one of the hosts of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship each year.

What to expect

A classic links experience – remarkable given the latest incarnation of the layout was only designed at the turn of the Millennium.

Being so close to St Andrews, you would expect stunning views but Kingsbarns really doesn’t disappoint.

You play your round amid a wondrous backdrop of the sea and the rugged coastline features prominently on two of the finest holes I have ever played – the par 5 12^th and the par 3 15^th.

The former, Orrdeal, can be aptly named when playing into the prevailing wind but no golfer with any soul can fail to be excited not only by the stunning view off the tee but the third shot to a green packed tightly into the coast.

The 15^th, Rocky Ness, is just as spectacular. The green lies just beyond the rocks – the land projecting into the sea – and the purists among you will feel compelled to fire one straight at the flag, regardless of its precarious position.

Another personal favourite was the 2^nd, a par 3 looking out directly over the mouth of the Firth of Tay with Carnoustie welcoming you on the far shore.

My best bit

The 18^th, and the particularly the approach, has the potential to ruin the most promising of scorecards but I ended my glorious golfing day with a very special (to me anyway) par 4.

Launching a drive just past the left corner of the clubhouse, I had a daunting approach with a hybrid to a green where disaster lurks in the shape of a water hazard if you are short.

Striking crisply at the flag, the feeling I had as the ball hung in the air, cleared the hazard, and came to rest 15 feet from the pin will live with me for a long time. It’s for moments like this that we all play the game, don’t we?

What to look out for

From start to finish, expect first class service. The course is a grand links and worthy of the name but they do the little things very well at Kingsbarns.

From the welcome on your arrival, to the extras you receive from the starter on the first tee, nothing is too big a deal for the friendly staff.

The clubhouse is tremendously relaxed and a perfect place to while away an hour or so while watching everyone else finish off their day.

When I go back…

I’ll savour every moment and empty the fabulous pro shop.

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