Kingsbarns

[birdieman]

Played the wonderful Kingsbarns this morning. Alas the weather wasn't quite so wonderful, it was about 12 degrees and rained every hole except 17 and 18!
However it was as enjoyable as ever and a must play for those who haven't sampled it.

Here is me on 15 -(my favourite hole).
http://s295.photobucket.com/albums/mm140/birdieman_01/?action=view&current=15thteefilm.flv

Pin was back left and a steady cross wind off the sea so a decent knock from the whites today (195 or so). Decent hit but pulled a fraction and into the wee bunker at the back.


me at 9th -

12th hole from 13th tee-

Playing the Jubilee at St Andrews on Thursday so hopefully we'll see some sun then!

 

[USER1999]

I wouldn't bet on it mate, you are in Scotland after all. At least the wind and rain keeps the midges down.

Nice looking course though. Dodgy hat too.

 

[slugger]

Yep... fantastic course. We played it on a day with no rain, but howling south east wind. I notice you took a rescue/wood on the 15th!!! North east wind then? I hit an 8 iron! It's my 2nd favourite course so far, although we are playing Gleneagles Kings course next month so that may change!

Here's a few snaps from when we were at kingsbarns.

12th hole • par 5 from tee

16th Green with clubhouse and 18th Green up behind it

13th hole • wee par 3... and par it i did!

3rd hole • par 5 from behind the green

 

[birdieman]

I wouldn't bet on it mate, you are in Scotland after all. At least the wind and rain keeps the midges down.

Nice looking course though. Dodgy hat too.

The hat is very functional thankyou. Waxed cotton, in fact extremely waxed with nikwax, gotta keep the heid dry and the windscreens clear!

You dont get midges in east Fife (too dry believe it or not).

Nobody in front, no one behind, 4 hours dead on for a 2 ball, nice way to spend a Monday morning rain or no rain.

Your misinformed derogatory comments about Scotland are just fine, keeps the hordes away and leaves the fairways clear for some quality golf, you stick to Surrey mate.

Just jealous that Scotland and Ireland have all the best courses, rain and all.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Nice pics - bet you didn't really notice the weather though with all that stunning scenery

 

[birdieman]

Nice pics - bet you didn't really notice the weather though with all that stunning scenery

I did notice it particularly as we rolled up at 8.20am. More so for my father in law who hadn't played it before as it really is a stunning layout. Visibility was ok despite the rain. Nevertheless he really enjoyed it, as did I, and the pair of us played half decent off the whites which in 12 deg and wet is quite hard to do.

Rain doesn't bother me per se as it slows up the greens which can get very nippy here. I didn't have enough towels and paraphenalia for the wet but it was just a knockabout so not important.

Made a complete ar$e of 18 but otherwise ok.

Clubhouse facilities are excellent, good food and ale too.

Anyone in the St Andrews area should play it.

 

[thecraw]

I've got to say I was disapointed with Kingsbarns. I had heard so many rave reviews and wonderful things about it I expected more. Its very manacured and manufactured. In my opinion not a true links golf course, yes it ticks all the right boxes but for me I was left wondering what all the hype was about.

Some smashing holes but I wouldnt rush back. Played it and enjoyed it but thats all I can say about it.

 

[Ste_Denial]

Nobody in front, no one behind, 4 hours dead on for a 2 ball, nice way to spend a Monday morning rain or no rain.

your ded right there like, the course looks amazing, mind you that 15th looks a bit of a daunting tee shot

 

[Dodger]

Spot on Craw it is overrated.Lovely track but a)not a links. b)not as good as the reviews state,it has a number of weak holes and c)way way overpriced if you are crazy enough to pay top dollar for it. Oh and d) it is not in great condition,greens are not what you would expect if you had paid £165....

 

[birdieman]

Gotta defend it here. Respect others opinions but I'm surprised at the negative comments.
It plays as a links - its all sandy and hard running and is by the seaside with gorse, marram grass etc etc.
It was manufactured from farmland and isn't wholly natural but it looks impressive to my eye and looks like its been there far longer than it has. Visually it is stunning as you get sea view from every hole because of the way it was designed on terraces.
It's quite manicured yes but I like that side of it, looks and plays great.
14 is an easy hole, there aren't any other weak holes that spring to mind.

It gets voted regularly 7th or 8th best course in UK which I would agree with.

Green fee is £75 if you live in Scotland, reduced to £45 if you come back within a month to play again. I wouldn't pay £175 for any course. It is quite expensive but I think it's worth it as one off now and again.

The greens today were in very good nick, quick and true.

Dodger is there any course other than the wondrous Goswick you do like?

 

[Dodger]

Remind exactly where I said I didn't like it???

I have played it twice and it is totally man made and NOT a links,you hit the nail on the head it was farmland!Weak holes for me 1,5,6,13,14 and I was not struck with 18.
I enjoyed it and it is a great trak but not up there with say RCD, Turnberry,Muirfield,Old Course,Carnoustie or even The Hotchkin.
A place to say you have played but I wouldn't rush back...
One final point but is it just me that thinks the clubhouse is unusually small for the facility?

 

[stevek1969]

I personally like it as have stated before, yes its steep but for us residents its £75 its not bad in my personal opinion its not as good as Portstewart (Strand Course) or the 2 at Royal Portrush which i played the other week. I no its a different course but the £10 we spent at Muckhart would make want to play that rather than Kingsbarns any time as it was great value for money.

 

[John_Findlay]

I don't think it needs a big clubhouse Dodger. Am I right in saying it has no members? That should do away with the need for Committee rooms, members locker rooms etc. Yeah it's quite unimposing.

 

[RGDave]

Fabulous. I'd love to play it....but in all honesty, it'll never happen unless I relocate for the £75 green fee.

I'm afraid it's "one of those" in my book.

Sad, but true......

Thanks for the photos though.....one can dream....

 

[thecraw]

I just prefer the "natural" links with the big sand dunnes, greens hidden in hollows and swells, tight sandy soil where you need to nip the ball.

Kingsbarns is enjoyable and I would play it again, however unlike Machrihannish, Machrie, Western Gails, Cruden Bay etc where I cant wait to go back I wouldnt rush back to KB unless it was a freebie!

 

[birdieman]

I cant comment on Machrie or Western Gailes as I haven't played them, I have played Cruden Bay and Macrihanish and I would personally play KB again over those 2.

It is tight sandy soil at KB, it is not lush and soft like inland courses. If you'd played any links in the last 2 summers they have been all green amd more lush than normal because of a lack of drought. I just played Carnoustie within teh last fortnight and the condition of fairways were very similar to Kingsbarns.
2006 was the last summer to really turn fairways brown in the UK.

Dunes - I like them too but I have to say St Andrews Old and Carnoustie have no dunes to speak of but that doesn't detract from their links credentials imo KB has more dunes than those 2. Most of the holes next to the sea have dunes.

Sounds like a bit of links snobbery to me - If it ain't over 100 years old it ain't a links? - Come on!

 

[thecraw]

So I have given you my reasons for not enjoying KB as much as you did. Like you have already done with dodger you cant see past your own opinion and feel the need to criticise anyone who disagrees with you???

Whether you like it or not I was disapointed in Kingsbarns, there are some good holes, a few poor holes and a couple of great holes. Yes its a fgood course with some stunning scenery but in my opinion its not a great course.

 

[Adi_Dassler]

Kingsbarns is a funny one, I can see both sides of the argument.Personally, I like it, but I can appreciate how some people see it as disney-fied golf created for rich americans & Japanese.Luckily I'm Scottish so dont have to pay the full fee ( I wouldnt if I had to) but it's a good track and I like most of the holes outwith 18 which I think is a wee bit too unfair...a par four with such a hard second shot (even with a decent drive) usually means you finish on a low.

It's not as good as East Lothian golf ( nothing in fife is ;-) )but it's good for an occasional away day.

 

[stevek1969]

Kingsbarns is a funny one, I can see both sides of the argument.Personally, I like it, but I can appreciate how some people see it as disney-fied golf created for rich americans & Japanese.Luckily I'm Scottish so dont have to pay the full fee ( I wouldnt if I had to) but it's a good track and I like most of the holes outwith 18 which I think is a wee bit too unfair...a par four with such a hard second shot (even with a decent drive) usually means you finish on a low.

It's not as good as East Lothian golf ( nothing in fife is ;-) )but it's good for an occasional away day.

What a lot of nonsense , let me think theres Scotscraig, Leven Links, Lundin Links,Crail just to name a few with out going down the St Andrews route all great courses in there own right.Oh and Ladybank as well

 

[Adi_Dassler]

Kingsbarns is a funny one, I can see both sides of the argument.Personally, I like it, but I can appreciate how some people see it as disney-fied golf created for rich americans & Japanese.Luckily I'm Scottish so dont have to pay the full fee ( I wouldnt if I had to) but it's a good track and I like most of the holes outwith 18 which I think is a wee bit too unfair...a par four with such a hard second shot (even with a decent drive) usually means you finish on a low.

It's not as good as East Lothian golf ( nothing in fife is ;-) )but it's good for an occasional away day.

What a lot of nonsense , let me think theres Scotscraig, Leven Links, Lundin Links,Crail just to name a few with out going down the St Andrews route all great courses in there own right.Oh and Ladybank as well

It was wee bit tongue in cheek, the wee wink must have passed you by.