Kingsbarns

Kingbarns was voted the best new course by all the golf magazines when it opened in 2000. The course was built on the same land as the original nine hole course that was the Kingsbarns links. That course closed in 1939 when the area was mined and fortified to protect against a German landing in WWII. The new 18 run along the coast between St. Andrews and the Crail links, about nine miles from the center of St. Andrews. It is a very challenging course and has a couple of world class holes. Unfortunately it is pretty expensive for Americans to play at around $320 a round. The clubhouse is small, but very nice and you can eat there as long as you are playing.

Kingsbarns is also a great little village where my Dad grew up. The farmhouse that he lived in is now a B&B, but some of the places are still the same. The local pub is still around, but it in now called The Barns at Kingsbarns. It has been expanded to serve lunch and dinner; last time we ate there the food was good. The church is still there, but a minister comes out from St. Andrews to conduct the service. My grandparents and great grandparents on my dad's side are buried in the cemetery outside the church.

If you stop in Kingsbarns for a pint after you play, you should consider walking around the village or driving down to the coast to see the beach.