The majority of our clients here at Pioneer Golf prefer to play the “best of the best” courses across the pond in the British Isles. Generally, this includes all of the Open Championship rotation courses such as Carnoustie, Muirfield, Royal Troon, Turnberry, and the Old Course. Nevertheless, the last several years a seaside links course right outside of St. Andrews called Kingsbarns has topped the list of our clientele.

Kingsbarns, a name derived from the little town in Fife which stored grain before it was transported to the Falkland Palace has a storied golf history. It all started in 1793 when land was leased from the Cambo Estate to create the original Kingsbarns Golfing Society. Unfortunately the land was used for agricultural purposes off and on for the next 200 years as the golf course never truly stuck. This land was too precious and much too picturesque to suffice as merely countryside, yet for 61 years that it remained.

In 2000, a few golf course designers by the names of Mark Parsinnen and Kyle Phillips (designer of the phenomenal Castle Stuart layout in the Highlands), created the renowned Kingsbarns Golf Links as it is today. With its cliff side stadium design, Kingsbarns has breathtaking views of the ocean throughout the entire round. Compared to Pebble Beach in the United States, Kingsbarns is an absolute must if traveling in and around St. Andrews. Even with surrounding courses that have a multitude of history such as the Old Course and Carnoustie only a short drive away, Kingsbarns not only fits the bill, but exceeds expectation.

Kingsbarns

Since 2001, the course has been a part of the European Tour Event, the Dunhill Links Championship alongside the St. Andrews-Old Course and Carnoustie respectively. This selection of courses creates a dichotomy of the promising youth versus the proven veterans.  Tune in to the Dunhill Links Championship to see the beauty of this coastline layout, and take a trip across the pond to truly bask in its’ glory.

Ben Alexander

Sales Associate