My home course, Kingsley, is already a GCA darling. However, a couple of points. First, the turf. Possibly the finest sand based F&F links turf this side of Dover, and a too rare commodity on this side of the pond. Only Ballyneal and the courses at Bandon are in the same league of those I've played. The drainage is second to none. I once saw a bit of water puddling in a bunker on 18 after a torrential rain and it was like a rare bird sighting. Secondly, there are so many dramatic features at Kingsley that a lot of subtler things are overlooked by the first time visitor, including:
1. Lies in the fairway. There are a variety of spots where the ball is above or below you're feet depending on what line you take off the tee (and of course whether you're a southpaw or not), particularly on #'s 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15 & 18.
2. Subtleties in the greens, particularly on #'s 1, 2, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15 & 17
3. Numerous ways to use the ground game or chip/putt an indirect route to get near pins, particularly on #'s 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18.
4. The fun that can be had by playing it forward due to the significant slope in some of the fairways, particularly on #'s 1, 3, 4, 6, 14, 15, 17 & 18. This can play havoc with setting wagers relative to one's course handicap and allows for significant arbitrage opportunities for the spiv who is so inclined.
5. Because of the aforementioned turf and subtle ground game options, it must also qualify as one of the better hickory venues around.
6. A number of holes are underrated by folks here IMO:
#8- a seemingly easy short 4. The carry over the bunkers on the hill off the tee isn't too taxing and many simply club down to stay short of the large fairway bunker. This however usually ends up with a subtly non- level lie. The better play, albeit longer, is often to go down the left side which leaves a level lie and a better angle of approach to utilize the backstop on the hill behind the green. The green itself repels balls on 3 sides and may well be the finest green on the course.
#11- this hole is not as visually stunning as many others and at first glance appears to be nothing more than a simple connector hole to transition to the wooded part of the property. However this is a devilish green with a spine running from back to front that repels anything too far right well down the hill. There's a tough little back shelf and the wind often swirls on this part of the property making club selection quite tricky. I now prefer the hole to the much more in-your-face and much beloved #5.
#15- a lot of guys whine that this hole is unreachable in reg for all but the real bombers and that the green is too small and non-receptive for such a long hole. Who said you have the right to be on in reg? This is the only man-made green on the course and it's a real beaut. This is one of my favorite holes, which is surprising for anyone familiar with my crap game.