Course Designed by Architect Kyle Phillips
Top 20 Golf Course in UK & Ireland and Top 50 Golf Course in The World
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Ricoh Women’s British Open, Jacques Léglise Trophy and The Open Qualifying.
Along the rugged coastline of Fife, golf finds its historical and spiritual home. Kingsbarns embraces the true essence of Scottish links golf, with sandy soil, fine fescue turf, sweeping sea views, and undulating coastal features that stretch to the sea—a heritage dating back to 1793.
A Community Steeped in History
The name "Kingsbarns" traces back to the 11th century, when King Malcolm of Scotland ordered his subjects’ taxes, collected in grain, to be stored in large wooden “barns” on land that is now the Cambo Estate, the current site of Kingsbarns Golf Links. These barns likely formed part of a fortified structure to protect against Viking raids that threatened the region. But long before Viking longships appeared along the Scottish coast, people had already settled in this picturesque area. The discovery of an ancient grave during the golf course’s construction revealed connections to Bronze Age civilization, dating back 2,800 years.
Kingsbarns’ Rich Golfing Legacy
Golf at Kingsbarns has a deep-rooted history that began in 1793, when the Kingsbarns Golfing Society was first recognised, allowing its members, clad in distinctive blue jackets, to compete alongside the Crail Golf Society. The Society flourished with regular matches, medal competitions, and lively dinners at the Golfers Hall until 1850, when farming needs took priority. The tenant farmer of Cambo Estate ploughed over the course, halting play for nearly 80 years.
In 1922, Lady Erskine of Cambo inspired the revival of the Society, re-establishing it as Kingsbarns Golf Club. Golf course designer Willie Auchterlonie laid out a nine-hole course that served both locals and visitors until World War II, when the course was mined for national defence and reverted to rough pasture.
After the war, the course remained closed, with the Club forming a partnership with Crail to play on Balcomie Links. This arrangement continued until the 21st century, when Kingsbarns Golf Links was re-established. Today, golfers tread the same storied ground, crossing the bridge built by French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars, surrounded by the echoes of golf’s past and the enduring heritage of Kingsbarns.
Kingsbarns Today: A World-Class Golf Destination
Kingsbarns has re-emerged as one of the premier golf destinations in Scotland, hosting renowned tournaments like the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and earning accolades for its exceptional course design and visitor experience, including ranking among the top links courses worldwide.
Our Journey through Time
1793
The first reference to the game at Kingsbarns dates back to 1793, when the Kingsbarns golfers were recognised by their next-door neighbours at Crail Golfing Society and granted permission to wear their distinctive blue jackets alongside the scarlet tunics of their compatriots on Crail's Balcomie Links.
1815
The Kingsbarns Golfing Society as it was named initially, was officially founded. The date is confirmed on a silver jug, presented to the 9th Earl of Kellie, Thomas Erskine, in recognition of his generous donations. Members enjoyed playing on the original 9-hole course until it closed in 1850.
1850
Ending the long-standing land dispute, the Cambo Estate tenant farmer ploughed up the Links in 1850, converting the area into farmland, which was more valuable than golf land at that time.
1922
Encouraged by Lady Erskine of Cambo, the Kingsbarns Golfing Society was re-established as Kingsbarns Golf Club. Willie Auchterlonie laid out a new nine-hole course, which served locals and holidaymakers until the Second World War.
1939
With the onset of the Second World War the links was closed to serve as part of the national security defence effort. Land mines were installed on the course site reverting the land back to rough pasture.
1948
After a brief resumption of play at the end of the hostilities, the links course closed once more.
1997
Mark Parsinen and Art Dunkley partnered with course architect Kyle Phillips, beginning construction of the current Kingsbarns course in November.
2000
The rebirth of links golf at Kingsbarns. The course opens in July as the only Scottish course to be built on links land in over 70 years. With its seaside setting, Kingsbarns joined the great courses of nearby St Andrews and Carnoustie, adding a new dimension to the traditional Scottish game.
2001
Kingsbarns Golf Links joins the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie Golf Links in hosting the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
2008
Host venue for The Jaques Leglise Trophy, an R&A team event featuring two teams of nine amateur golfers under 18, representing Great Britain & Ireland and the Continent of Europe.
2010
Kingsbarns hosted The Open Championship local qualifying event when The Open itself was held at St Andrews.
2011
For the fourth time in its history, Kingsbarns was voted "Golf Course of the Year" at the Golf Tourism Scotland (GTS) Gold Standard Awards, held at the Fairmont, St Andrews Resort.
2017
Kingsbarns had the honour of being the host venue for the Ricoh Women’s British Open, where South Korean In-Kyung Kim emerged as the winner.
2024
In 2024, Kingsbarns Golf Links was the proud host of the 23rd annual Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Tyrrell Hatton claimed victory at the 2024 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, securing his third title in the prestigious event with a final score of 264 (−24), finishing just one stroke ahead of Nicolas Colsaerts. Blending world-class golf with the charm of its historic venues, the championship reaffirmed its status as a highlight of the DP World Tour.