Designer Kyle Phillips may be American, but his masterpiece at Kingsbarns shows that he has an inherent understanding of links golf. In spite of its youth – Kingsbarns is not yet a decade old – it is frequently mentioned in the same breath as famous names like Muirfield, Pebble Beach and the Old Course. This is testament to Phillips’ creation.
Every single hole is spectacular, and a round here demands mastery of every shot in the game. Another beauty of Kingsbarns is its understated style; there are many such courses being built now for exclusive private membership. Here all are welcome to play, and to use the small, understated but luxurious clubhouse and locker room.
If one was forced to choose a signature hole, most would plump for the awe-inspiring par-5 12th. The hole dog-legs left, hugging the coastline, and the brave will be tempted to challenge the green in two blows with a hard draw. There is trouble everywhere you look here, but it is the sort of course that inspires the golfer to great feats.
For any golf aficionado, Kingsbarns is an absolute must-play.
Keep your approach shots below the pin – the vast greens have some harsh slopes.