Considered by many to be James Braid's masterpiece, the King's at Gleneagles is one of Scotland's finest inland courses.
Gleneagles Golf Resort King’s Course Review
Green Fee Range: £75-£220
Medal Tee: Par 70 – 6,471 Yards
Visitor Times: Every day
Website: www.gleneagles.com/pursuits/golf/courses/kings-course/
Gleneagles Golf Resort King’s Course Review
James Braid’s revered Perthshire masterpiece has benefited from the re-introduction of several long-lost Braid features and ongoing drainage improvements. The King’s course is presented to play like an inland links with tightly cut fairways that are now 40% wider to enhance playability. A new tee on the sweeping downhill 18th has stretched it to 555 yards off the tips, and further new tees are planned to lengthen the challenge for those who need it. Springy moorland turf, the odd blind shot and the glorious Perthshire countryside make any round here an unforgettable experience.
Related: Top 100 Courses UK and Ireland
An aerial shot of the Kings course at Gleneagles (Getty Images)
The King’s course on the majestic Gleneagles Estate is widely regarded as the masterpiece of prolific course designer James Braid.
It opened for play in 1919 and has been frequently used for significant competitions. In 1921 a group of American professionals, including Walter Hagen, took on a team from Britain around the layout.
The result was a resounding win for the home side but, more importantly, the event was a forerunner for the Ryder Cup six years later.
The course was also host to the Scottish Open on eight occasions, the most exciting and dramatic of those was in 1992.
It seemed Colin Montgomerie had a home victory sewn up, but Australia’s Peter O’Malley had other ideas. He played the closing five holes in an astonishing seven-under-par to snatch the win.
The King’s course is carved through the pine trees and it rises and falls over moorland turf.
It may not be the longest, but with blind shots, humps, hollows and testing greens, this is a course that will only reward precise and considered play.
With dramatic views across the Perthshire Straths, and to Ben Vorlich, the Ochil Hills and the Grampian Mountains, this is a visually captivating setting for golf.
Gleneagles Golf Resort King’s Course Review
Considered by many to be James Braid's masterpiece,…
Blairgowrie Golf Club Rosemount Course Review
This is a wonderful James Braid layout set…
10 Of The Best Golf Courses In Scotland
10 Of The Best Golf Courses In Scotland…
Course changes since previous ranking
In order to play more as an inland links, the fairways have been widened by 40% and cut to 8mm. There is also a new tee on the 18th playing 555 yards (medal tee)
Proposed course changes
New irrigation system for all three courses will further enhance the conditioning. Ongoing drainage work will also enhance poor weather conditions too. New tees are planned for Kings courses to lengthen and challenge driving.
Golf Monthly Verdict
Breath-taking backdrops and a sense of history make this a must-play.
This article Gleneagles Golf Resort King’s Course Review appeared first on Golf Monthly.