Kingsbarns Golf Links *****

Kingsbarns, KY16 8QD

Nearest main town: St Andrews

 

Being just along the Fife coastline from the magical Old course and the other battery of great courses that St Andrews, the home of golf, has to offer, Kingsbarns really had to be good. And, make no mistake, it is.

Although it only opened just prior to the 2000 Open Championship at neighbouring St Andrews, Kingsbarns has already become a links legend. It has successfully co-hosted the Dunhill links Championship (with Carnoustie and, of course, the Old Course) and has picked up more awards than Sir Alex Ferguson. And deservedly so.

American course designer Kyle Phillips has created a spectacular and stunning par-72 layout, possibly the UK's last true classical links. What a way to bow outl like the Old course itself, Kingsbarns is one of those golfing rarities: a course every golfer simply has to play at least once before he retires to that great golf course in the sky. Mind you, at £125 to tee up, that round to remember doesn't come cheap, but high-quality goods never do.

Always in pristine condition, Kingsbarns has a heady mix of holes ­some good, some great and some that are out of this world. Without doubt the star of the show is the par-5 12th, a breathtaking left dogleg that hugs the shoreline from tee to green. The par-3 15th is another stunner, with its long but narrow rolling green perilously perched on the other side of an inlet - under hit and your ball will be dancing among the rocks. There's a pulsating finale too with an uphill-downhill par-4, where you're faced with a difficult second shot over an ancient burn to an elevated green.

Provided you've got the cash to spare, you'll want to go back to Kingsbarns again and again.

 

Secretary: Ms D. Clark

Tel: 01334 460860 Fax: 01334 460877

Professional: Mr D. Scott (Director of Golf)                  

Tel: 01334 460865 Fax: 01334 460877

Playing: Midweek: round £ 125.00 (Apr-May), (Jun-Mar); day n/a. Weekend: round (Apr-May), £135.00 (Jun-Mar); day n/a. £135.00 £125.00

Facilities: Bar: Dependant on tee times. Food: Bar snacks.

Comments: Stunning design. . . Destined to become one of the best links courses, not just in Scotland but anywhere in the world... Superb views of the sea from every single hole on the course... When the wind blows, you will hit every club in the bag... Looks so natural I can't believe it hasn't been here for over 100 years... Finishing stretch of holes is just fantastic... Great variety of classic links holes and a layout every golfer from pro to rabbit will enjoy playing.

 

St Andrews Bay Golf Resort & Spa (Devlin Course)****

St Andrews Bay, St Andrews, KY16 8PN

Nearest main town: St Andrews

 

Being up the road from some of the best sport on offer on Planet Golf was never going to be an easy task, but fair play to the captivating Devlin layout for pulling it off - certainly no mean feat.

Like neighbouring superstars such as the Old Course and Kingsbarns, the Devlin is a class act in its own right. It's very much a quality US-style linksy test, with plenty of gaping bunkers and water (on the front nine) to negotiate.

Even in its infancy it already oozes character, while the gently rolling greens are humongous, fast and true. There's a superb mix of holes, several breathtaking elevated tees and stunning views - of the Old Grey Toon of St Andrews (especially impressive from the delightful par-37th). The holes just after the turn will literally blow you away, with the green at the par-4 11th virtually hovering above the beach and the shortish par-4 12th hugging the coastline.

There's a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde climax to the round via an outstanding par-4 dogleg penultimate hole - you're firing an approach shot to a green surrounded by bunkers and the sea - only to be unusually followed by a rather ordinary par-3 18th.

 

Secretary: Mr I. Knox (Golf sales manager)                               

Tel: 01334 837438 Fax: 01334 837099                                            

Professional: Mr J. Kerr                                   

Tel: 01334 837056

Playing: Midweek: round £85.00 (Mon-Fri); day n/a. Weekend: Not available at weekends unless you're a hotel resident.

Facilities: Bar: 11 am-11 pm Sun- Thurs, 11 am-12 midnight Fri/Sat. Food: 7am-10pm (summer), 8am-9pm (winter).

Comments: A class act on and off course... Loved the Devlin but thought it was odd finishing with a par-3 ... Some stunning holes and the neighboring Torrance is pretty good too. . . A worthy addition to the St Andrews club.