Kingsbarns Golf Links

Notable Observations

• Regional Wildflower & Beehive Initiative Kingsbarns has installed new beehives alongside a long strip of wildflower meadow, boosting pollinator habitat as part of a wider East Neuk regional initiative. Honey produced onsite is now sold in the clubhouse.
• Expert-Led Habitat Management Across Multiple Landscapes The team manages grasslands, dunes, hedges, scrub and woodlands using recommendations from ecological consultants, the Cambo Estate and the Fife Coast & Countryside Trust, ensuring habitats are maintained to a high ecological standard.
• Corn Bunting Conservation Supported by Ongoing Ornithologist Input Kingsbarns continues its long-term partnership with ornithologist Will Cresswell to support corn bunting conservation, a species highlighted in previous OnCourse® work.
• Solar PV and Air Source Heat Pump Adoption Solar photovoltaic panels on the maintenance facility generate onsite renewable electricity, while the new staff welfare building is heated entirely by an air source heat pump and designed with high-efficiency materials.
• Electric Vehicle Charging for Staff & Visitors Kingsbarns has installed EV charge points in both public and staff car parks, supporting low-emission travel for golfers and employees.
• Cutting-Edge Topographical Scanning Technology The club uses Clere Golf topographical scanning with vLoc3 RTK-Pro technology to map surface and subsurface features. This enhances decision-making on turf, disease hotspots and even underground heritage features.
• Strong Volunteer & Charity Support Staff actively participate in volunteering and support around 20 charities annually, and the course donates tee times for fundraising events.
• Educational Visits & Coastal Path Engagement The club hosts school groups and further-education visits, and works with Fife Coast & Countryside Trust to improve safe public access along the coastal path adjoining the course.

“

“My November 2025 visit to Kingsbarns Golf Links marked the 3rd certification for the facility, and as such, I was looking for a demonstration of a sustained high level of environmental best practice, and also evidence of continual improvement and new projects across a variety of areas. I was pleased to see and hear that all departments continue to drive progress and improve their environmental performance for long-term sustainability. A key highlight of such progress was learning about the opening of the new staff welfare facility, a sustainable building designed for energy efficiency including an air source heat pump and recycled materials such as the outdoor recycled plastic furniture. The installation of solar panels at the maintenance facility and Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers are further initiatives to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and support carbon reduction. The Clere Golf topographical survey and ongoing monitoring is another highlight and shows the use of cutting-edge technologies to support course management decision making. A further highlight was the new beehives installed on the course and the adjacent wildflower meadow cultivation. This was additionally commendable as is part of a wider regional initiative and also produced honey to be sold in the clubhouse. Finally, I am impressed with the ongoing development of the new electronic recording system, which will enable course data, records, training and licences etc to be accurately recorded, monitored and reported. I hope my suggested continual improvement points are taken on board, and I look forward to reading and hearing more positive sustainability communications from Kingsbarns Golf Links over the next few years.”

Carolyn Hedley (GEO accredited independent verifier)