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You are here: Home / Guest Authors / Graeme Fish / Kingarrock Hickory Golf

Kingarrock Hickory Golf

7 October 2022 By Graeme Fish

Golfing Herald is pleased to welcome back guest author Graeme Fish. This time Graeme kindly shares a synopsis of the amazing and unique experience of hickory golf at Kingarrock.

A profile photo of guest author Graeme Fish
Graeme Fish, PGA Fellow Professional and PGA Coach Level III

Hill of Tarvit Mansion & Garden

The Hill of Tarvit is a beautiful historic house because of its look and its location on the southern edge of Cupar, which is in Fife, Scotland. At the start of the 20th century, the architect Robert Lorimer was commissioned to transform the house, which dates back to the 17th century, into a stunning Edwardian mansion. He also designed the beautifully landscaped gardens.

Hill of Tarvit Mansion & Garden (Attribution - Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)
Hill of Tarvit Mansion & Garden (Attribution – Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

Located on the huge grounds of the Hill of Tarvit is Kingarrock, the only dedicated hickory golf course in the United Kingdom.

Kingarrock

This 9-hole golf course is famous due to being played, only, with Hickory Clubs. A round of golf will take you between 90 and 120 minutes. There is no dress code on the course but you are encouraged to play in plus fours and a tie if you wish!

Green Fees

At the time of publication, green fees are £45 for 9 holes or £60 for 18 holes. All green fees include a hire set of traditional hickory golf clubs, a bag, tees, balls and a scorecard.

Poster advertising hickory golf at Kingarrock ... Photo © Bill Kasman (cc-by-sa/2.0)
Photograph © Bill Kasman (cc-by-sa/2.0)

After the starter has finished explaining the clubs and the course, you may drift back in time and begin …

9-hole Course

Hole 1 (Ha-ha) ~ An uphill start, usually into the wind. A long approach shot can be punished because of the deep ha-ha.

Cartoon illustrating the difference between a Ha-Ha Wall and a Typical Wall (Attribution - 842U at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)
Attribution – 842U at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Hole 2 (Stand sure) ~ A long Par 3 with a dry stone dyke running along the back of the green.

Hole 3 (Kingarrock) ~ A short Par 4 with the only blind shot on the course … so listen for the bell to continue.

Hole 4 (Copse) – The shortest hole on the course. Beware the trees beyond the green.

Hole 5 (Wemyss) ~ This is the longest hole on the course. The green is guarded by bunkers and long rough.

Hole 6 (Monument) ~ A great hole that can be easily reached in two shots, but beware of the small stream (the cundy)!

Hole 7 (Cundy) ~ This hole is all about judging the distance because looks can be deceiving.

Hole 8 (Doocot) ~ A good dogleg that will keep you guessing. It also has a very undulating green.

Hole 9 (Sharp) ~ A great finishing hole. Do you attempt to be a hero because this is a true risk-reward hole?

Hill of Tarvit Mansion House & Kingarrock Hickory Golf (Photograph by kind permission of The National Trust of Scotland)
Hill of Tarvit Mansion House & Kingarrock Hickory Golf (Photograph by kind permission of The National Trust of Scotland)

Post Round

After the round comes the best bit because you can enjoy some delicious ginger beer and Scottish shortbread at Forester’s Cottage. Sitting at the cottage and enjoying the view is the perfect finish to a good day’s golf.

To read more about the history and the ecology of Kingarrock and how to book a tee time, then visit the Kingarrock Hickory Golf website.

Hickory Golf

Graeme and I would love to hear from Golfing Herald readers who have had the opportunity to play hickory golf … at Kingarrock or at another golf course. Please use the comments section below to share your experience.

For illustrative purposes only ... a perfect set of hickory golf clubs and bag (Photograph by kind permission of Pete Kelbel, Director of Golf at the Walloon Lake Country Club, Michigan)
For illustrative purposes only … a perfect set of hickory golf clubs and bag (Photograph by kind permission of Pete Kelbel, Director of Golf at the Walloon Lake Country Club, Michigan)

Acknowledgement

And finally … many thanks to Graeme for another enjoyable and interesting article. If you wish to read about Graeme’s professional career, experience and services then please visit his website.

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Filed Under: Graeme FishTagged With: Graeme Fish, Guest Author, PGA, PGA Advanced Professional, PGA Professional, PGA Teaching Professional

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About Graeme Fish

PGA Fellow Professional - PGA Coach Level III - Owner of Torrdarach House, Pitlochry, Scotland

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