Playing Kingsbarns on a Scottish Golf Trip- content duplicated in pages, potential to delete this
World ranked top-100, its success sparked a boom of 'new' courses
A course with consequence
Kingsbarns might be one of the most consequential courses built in Scottish golf.
Were we to look at a world top-100 list from 1999, the most recent Scottish entry would have been Turnberry (1906). The focus seemed to have gone inland to places like Gleneagles, and later to Loch Lomond
Purpose building a new ‘links’ course out of arable land within a few miles of St Andrews was considered audacious, and there was no small amount of anxiety and even scepticism as this project launched. Quite a few commentators said it couldn’t be done. They needn’t have worried.
The result was outstanding and Kingsbarns quickly earned a world-top-50 ranking. Played on three tiers along a raised storm beach, the design seeks to make maximum use of extended views of the ocean with the savage North Sea in view at nearly every hole
Not only was Kingsbarns widely acclaimed a success, it also kick-started a whole new generation of such courses. Without Kingsbarns, there is probably no Castle Stuart, Old Petty, Dumbarnie, Dundonald, Renaissance and possibly even Trump Aberdeen?
Kingsbarns appears in the following itineraries >>>>>>
How to include Kingsbarns
A combination of its world ranking and proximity to St Andrews (7 miles) means that playing Kingsbarns on a Scottish golf trip is a popular choice. It is widely used since it can shadow St Andrews with quality rather than fill whilst we run the ballot numbers. Because Kingsbarns isn’t a private members club, their tee-sheets run deeper and aren’t subject to block-out days and times
We can include Kingsbarns as follows
With St Andrews & Carnoustie, part of a St Andrews package
With the West Coast, part of an East Coast Group
With Edinburgh and Muirfield, part of a St Andrews Package
Part of the ‘Best Tour’ in Scotland
Part of a Scottish/ Irish combo
Supporting Scotland’s Open Championship Venues Tour
Part of a ‘Classic’ Scottish Summer
A guide to the holes of interest
On opening, it was the twelfth and fifteenth that the media latched onto but it was the fourth and fifth that caught Tom Doak’s eye when he referenced them in his appraisal “as piece of construction work, Kingsbarns is one of the best projects I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t have believed it, if I hadn’t seen it for myself”. It’s often said the course feels older than it is, the fifth really captures that as it effortlessly fuses into the landscape as if it always were
The seventh is a strong par 4 that typically plays into the the wind along the middle tier. Not without good reason is it ranked number 1 on the course by stroke-index as nothing seems to be working in the golfers favour. Aim up the right side and the slope will bring the ball back into the centre of a narrowing fairway that tightens up in the landing area and has a severe run off to the left. Falling off the fairway to the left is going to leave you chasing from now on to the cup.
The approach requires a decent contact too and an extra club is a smart idea since the hole plays uphill to the green and you must carry the last fairway bunker. Shots landing short of the green will kick to the left leaving a difficult chip to save the score
On opening it was the par 5, twelfth that the media latched onto and it still tends to be the regulation nomination in these composite best 18 fantasy courses that people like to design. It’s a magnificent hole playing along an arching shoreline that bends its way around to a green that is perched on a nub of land jutting out into the sea. It plays long and this is probably its primary defence. The beauty is in the aesthetics and the dramatic walk
Favour the right hand side off the tee and allow the slope to feed the ball back into the centre. Lay up shots should finish on the last fairway bunker on the right to open up this 65 yard long green, beware of the pot bunker back right.
The fifteenth has increasingly begun to vie with the twelfth for the accolade of signature hole. It’s a visually intimidating par 3 that plays to a green located on a rocky outcrop that projects into the waves. There is a line to the left for those who don’t fancy running up an expensive sequence of lost balls to the waves. On some people’s fantasy composite course, the fifteenth has even replaced North Berwick’s iconic ‘Redan’ hole such is the reputation it’s developing
Regardless of the pin position tee shots should be aimed at the bunker back left and allow the slope to feed the ball into the centre of the green. The trees will often block out the wind from the left so take plenty of club and don’t chase the sucker pin on the right.
Sculpting a ‘links’ out of arable land was always going to be a challenge, especially for a design team committed to the philosophy of enhancing the natural. You can probably imagine their delight therefore when excavations revealed a subterranean burn running into the sea. “We’re having that” they must have thought! And so they did. The discovery was duly woven into the tapestry and guards the front entry to the 18th green, and the rear of the sixth
The approach requires a lot of nerve and consideration must be given to how far you can carry the ball through the air, if you choose to lay up pay attention to the fast running fairway which has been contoured to feed the burn.
Testimonial
From BB Canada
“I told Alun the courses I was interested in playing and he prepared a stay and play package with 14 days of outstanding golf, but also tremendous site seeing opportunities for my wife.”
From JC Illinois
“His attention to detail is amazing--I think our travel plan booklet ran to forty-eight pages, with gorgeous descriptions of cities and sights, plus maps showing where to go to catch trains, or walk from trains to hotels, sights and golf courses, etc.”
From DF Alabama
“I will cherish the memories for a long time- especially the wonderful times spent on and off the golf course with two of my brothers and brother-in-law. None of the memories and golf would have been possible or enjoyed without your tremendous planning and logistical support.”
AS from Colorado
“Alun and Faraway Fairways created possibly the most memorable golf trip we have ever experienced. EPIC is the only word that comes to mind.”
AC, From Florida/ New York, 2025
“We were hopeful to secure a 4 ball at St. Andrews while avoiding the massive expense other operators had quoted. He was very clear about the plan for achieving a tee time at the Old Course through the ballot, including detailed instruction on how it could be done, and what our odds were. He suggested mid- to late April as the best chance of success and advised that this is also the least rainy part of the year. We took his advice and trusted the process. Well, he was right on all counts!”
From SB, Minnesota
“We wholeheartedly recommend Alun and Faraway Fairways if you’re looking for a golf trip that is effortless, enjoyable, and truly unforgettable—even for a non-golfer in the mix! My husband and I will be daydreaming about this trip for years to come. 5.5 stars!”
From JB, California
“The best part was that the service was surprisingly affordable. They were thousands of dollars below other quotes that I received, in fact the prices were very similar to what I would have paid if I would have booked everything on my own.”
From JCA, Maryland
“I would and will highly recommend your company to anyone looking to plan an unforgettable golf trip. Thank You for putting together a fantastic trip for J.C. and me”
From WF Connecticut
“I think all eight of us would agree that Alun at Faraway Fairways did an absolutely wonderful job of putting this “golf vacation of a lifetime” together for us. His focus on the details was extraordinary from the choice of courses and the timing of the tee times, the amazingly beautiful accommodations along with some excellent meal selections, and the transportation options he provided to get us from place to place.”
From DR South Carolina
“You are about to tee it up in your Major. Seek wisdom, integrity and professionalism. Alun Davies and Faraway Fairways will not disappoint you. They cannot assure a calm sunny day with temperatures in the 70’s on the Old Course.”
From MM, California
“One fantastic trip you organized, and more importantly took ownership of in terms of daily communication and stewardship during our 2+ weeks in Scotland and Ireland. The logistics were spotless…100% of the transports were on time and excellent, the lodging choices spectacular and the golf was off the charts in terms of quality and arrangements made”
DH from California
“You cannot go wrong with the support Faraway Fairways offered. I did this trip solo and all last minute but I have already begun to plan the next trip which will include my best golfing buddies.”