Gleneagles
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(King’s)
Gleneagles (King’s)
Gleneagles is set in rolling countryside with a panorama of the
Ochil Hills. The land is perfect for a golf course… or three of
them as is the case here. Many say that the King’s course and
Carnoustie are James Braid’s finest works – although Brora
might disagree. Here, he designed both the King’s and Queen’s
courses, and they opened in 1919. The King’s is the big course and
it demands all your shot-making skills and club selection as you
ramble over ever-lilting terrain. It is not massively long which
only serves to ramp up the fun factor… but accuracy is critical on
approach shots and bravery will reap rewards. The shapeliness
of the landscape, the presence of the heather, gorse, pine and
birch trees make the King’s a colourful extravaganza of golf with
tremendous variety and excitement. And it is all part of a five
star resort and one amazing centre for golf.
Gleneagles (PGA Centenary)
The last of Gleneagles courses was designed by Jack Nicklaus,
and opened in 1993. It rose to international prominence when it
hosted the 2014 Ryder Cup. The course has many Nicklaus traits
with generous fairways, heavy bunkering, large undulating greens
and holes stretched over more of this gorgeous expanse of
moorland. The course combines Scottish and American traits –
most obviously in its variety of bunkering – and you must target
greens through flight: streams, ponds and bunkering nullify the
ground approach so you can launch shots skywards and watch
them fly against magnificent backdrops. The challenges are set
out clearly ahead of you, which means there are few semi-blind
shots as found elsewhere here.
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Gleneagles (Queen’s)
The beauty and thrills of a short course are on full display on
the Queen’s – often seen as the King’s charming little sister.
Measuring under 6,000 yards and with five par threes this is
beguiling Scottish moorland golf. Also designed by Braid, he
retained the deep and intimidating bunkers. Over such shapely
terrain the course will rein in the big hitters while also placing
a premium on accurate approach play. There are fewer trees
to interfere here, despite some woodland, and the more
exposed feel means the wind will have a greater influence on
proceedings… particularly on the excellent par threes: the 13th
is a short downhill shot while the 14th is a long uphill par three
with a two tier green. The constant changes in elevation add to
the pleasure of playing here as well as the beauty of the setting.
Ladybank
Dating back to 1879 (and Old Tom Morris), this is a startlingly
attractive heathland course racing through a landscape drenched
in gorse, heather, pine and silver birch. It is bursting with colour
and the abundance of red squirrels adds to the beauty – they’re
the club mascot. The sandy soil promises tight turf, gentle
undulations to fairways and fast firm greens. Combined with
some deep bunkering it is little surprise that golfers wax lyrical
about its links-like traits. The links resemblances end there,
however, for this is a course where the trees call for caution
and the narrow fairways reward accuracy. There is barely a
straight hole and seeing as only four par fours scrape beyond
400 yards, beating the doglegs and subtle curves is your number
one priority… your driver may be seldom required. Enjoy the
peacefulness on a course good enough for Open qualifying.