Kingsbarns Golf Links Review
Course review · St Andrews · 2 rounds played
Played & written by Marcus Santana
By Marcus Santana · Published June 6, 2026
9.1/ 10
The short version
Kingsbarns is modern, manufactured and completely convincing. Every hole seems to see the sea and I did not care once that the dunes were built rather than found.
How it played
Firm and fast in September, with big greens that feed balls to the right spots if you land them short. It's fair — the ball I hit well ended up in a good place, which is not always true on links.
How it looks
Rolling, wide and dramatic, with the North Sea in view from basically everywhere.
What won me over
- sea views on all 18 holes
- fun for every handicap in the group
- conditioning is close to flawless
Good to know before you buy
- expensive for a modern course
- exposed to wind with no shelter
My verdict
9.1/10. The best modern links in Scotland.
Marcus Santana
Founder & Lead Tester, Homie Golf
Every product on this site is played, walked or worn before it gets a score. No paid placements, no press-release numbers.
Course reviewed
Kingsbarns Golf Links
More reviews
9.3TaylorMade TP5x Review
Golf Ball · 12 rounds, 4 courses, one very tired sleeve
By Marcus Santana
This Week's Course Setup: A True Test of Precision, Not Just Power
The subtle nuances of this week's PGA Tour venue will expose who has the all-around game and who's just riding a hot putter.
By Marcus Santana
Putting and Short-Game Trends on the PGA Tour: A Deep Dive
From belly putters to chipping yips, I'm breaking down what's working (and what isn't) on the greens this season.
By Marcus Santana