DESTINATIONGOLF . TRAVEL
PERTHSHIRE & HEARTLANDS
Gleneagles PGA
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 .
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 .
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 and it will host the 2019 Solheim 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 .
Alyth
Laid out on moorland by Old Tom Morris , Alyth opened as a nine hole course in 1894 . It was later extended to 18 and revised by James Braid , creating another excellent combination of work by these two legendary designers . Holes move over rolling heathland , constantly chaperoned by trees . It makes Alyth a fun and colourful round of golf . But not necessarily easy : despite its short length ( 6,200 yards ) accuracy is key as the folds of the land ask questions of every golfer and burns make quite a nuisance of themselves … especially on the par four 5th signature hole ( The Brig ), where you must cross water twice . Alyth was awarded ‘ Best Course Under £ 50 ’ at the 2015 Scottish Golf Tourism Awards and that exceptional value continues .
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