The three wonderful courses at Gleneagles bear the hallmarks of two of golf’s greatest names; five-time Open Championship winner James Braid laid out both the King’s and Queen’s courses, while all-time great Jack Nicklaus added the stunning PGA Centenary Course. Playing any of the three courses at Gleneagles is a delightful experience, with the springy moorland turf underfoot, the green hills to the South, and the peaks of the Trossachs and Ben Vorlich to the West.
Kings Course
The King’s Course has been a frequent stop on both the PGA Tour and Ladies European Tour since its inception in 1919. James Braid was determined to create a course which placed the emphasis on the golfer’s ability to shape his shots and be creative, which explains why Lee Trevino, one of the most natural players to ever play the game, said that, “If Heaven is as good as this, I sure hope they have some tee-times left.”
Queens Course
Threading through the high ridges on the north and east side of the estate, the Queen’s has many moorland characteristics, and offers beautiful woodland settings as the course meanders through the glen. With indigenous lochans and streams incorporated as water hazards, this is a beautiful and genuine Perthshire classic.
PGA Centenary Course
Jack Nicklaus’ monster PGA Centenary will host the 2014 Ryder Cup Matches, and while most agree that the Golden Bear has created a modern classic, Jack himself gave the credit to the canvas he was supplied with, saying that it was “the finest parcel of land in the world I have ever been given to work with.”