[Sean_A]

The Royal Burgh of Kinghorn is a fine town featuring two beaches. The town’s most recent claim to fame is the Black Rock 5. A 4.5-mile race which includes the loop of the black rocks which lie about a mile off-shore. The race can only be run at low tide when the water is no more than knee high. With over 600 entries, the race rather reminds one of a trail of ants marching into the sea. The race was started in 1987, 100 years earlier Kinghorn GC was founded on a nine-hole Old Tom Morris design. Kinghorn claims to be the fifth oldest golfing site in the world. Records date back to 1812 and it is likely golf was played over the Kinghorn Links up to 200 years prior to this date. Willie Fernie extended the course to 18 holes in 1905, but little of OTM’s or Fernie’s designs remain. A main reason for drastic changes was the sale of the land north of the 1st hole. The Fife Council eventually re-bought 16 acres which include holes 2, 3 & 6-8. The meadowy 14-16 were added to the course in 1965.

The opener is a good down n' up par 4 with OoB hard right. The second is the first of six short holes. A longish blind hole along the ridge, this wasn't a favourite of mine. The third brings us back down to the valley with a tee shot over the 2nd and a stone wall.


A wider view of the links and long range views. 


A closer look reveals the proximity of the harsh rough just right of the green.




More to follow.

Ciao

[Sean_A]

Kinghorn Tour Cont

Kinghorn is jammed with very short two-shotters. The 4th is the first of seven under 320 yards. There isn't much to defend against birdie, but the green is somewhat interesting.


Playing over two valleys, the 5th green is seductively located.




The landscape brilliantly shifts for the short 6th; an evil hole. From the back tees its much easier to earn its listed par 4. If played from the backs, the third green is directly in play.


Its 88 yards shorter from the yellow tees, but four is the likely outcome.


The piddling green as seen from 7 tee. Once the hole is known, it must make sense to play pin-highish right and hope for a pitch and putt par. Notice the back tee for 7 on the outcrop to the rear. 


More to follow.

Ciao

[Sean_A]

Kinghorn Tour Cont

The 7th plays over the lower reaches of a hill to a green tucked in a corner of the property. Perhaps not Kinghorn's best hole, but the 8th is a stern two-shotter back over the hill.  I suspect holding the fairway can be a big ask at times.


We come back to the unruly ground for the 9th. At 217 yards this par 4 is much less than half the length of the 8th.


Much like the 4th & 5th, 9 & 10 run back on each other. This is one of five par 4s which is technically a par 3 length.  While the course is only 4637 yards from the yellow tees, the course rating is 63.5 against a par of 65. Considering the generously labelled 4s, Kinghorn isn't a push over.


Simlar to 7 & 8, the 11th escapes the lovely section of the property and doesn't have much to recommend it.

More to follow.

Ciao

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