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The Global Golfer Top 100
Kingsbarns Golf Links
St Andrews, Fife, Scotland · #14 in the World
Location: St Andrews, Fife, Scotland | Ranking: #14 — The Global Golfer Top 100
Type: Links | Partner Stay: Archerfield House; Greywalls Hotel
Editor’s Note: Kingsbarns was created in 2000 from agricultural land and a forgotten 19th-century course — and it felt ancient from day one. Kyle Phillips designed eleven holes with direct North Sea views and a course that behaves like it has been there for centuries. The par-3 15th across a rocky bay, the 18th running back to a green beside the sea wall, and the extraordinary playability for all handicap levels make Kingsbarns the finest new links built in Britain in a hundred years.
1. Travel & Logistics
- How to Get There: 3 miles south of St Andrews on the B9131 coastal road. From Edinburgh, 1h 15m via the M90.
- Nearest Airport: Edinburgh (EDI) — 1h 15m. Dundee (DND) — 25 mins.
2. Contact & Booking
- Tel: +44 (0)1334 460860 | Website: kingsbarns.com
- Visitor Policy: Open to visitors 7 days. Green fees from £245. No handicap requirement.
- Course Rating / Slope: 74.5 / 140
3. Championship Scorecard
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | OUT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 36 |
| Yards | 426 | 570 | 421 | 203 | 346 | 571 | 175 | 432 | 437 | 3,581 |
Par 4
Par 3
Par 5
Total
| Hole | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | IN | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 35 | 72 |
| Yards | 399 | 418 | 430 | 168 | 374 | 209 | 470 | 569 | 477 | 3,514 | 6,995 |
4. Key Strategy Notes
- Hole 15 — Par 3, 209 Yards: The signature hole — a mid-to-long iron entirely across a rocky inlet of the North Sea. In wind, plays up to a full driver. Among the most dramatic short holes in Scottish golf.
- Hole 18 — Par 4, 477 Yards: Running back along the sea wall to the clubhouse — a demanding, beautiful finish with the North Sea right throughout. Host of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship finale.
5. The 19th Hole
- The Old Course Hotel, St Andrews (5★): 10 minutes away — golf’s most famous address. Book via Expedia →
- Kingsbarns Distillery: 300 metres from the clubhouse — single malt distillery opened 2015, now producing award-winning Scotch. The post-round tasting is superb.