Gleneagles Golf Resort King's Course: Review, Green Fees, Tee Times and Key Info

Gleneagles Golf Resort King's Course Key Information

James Braid’s long-revered Perthshire masterpiece enjoys quite simply one of the most beautiful settings for golf in the UK&I. Carved through the pine trees, the King’s course rises and falls over springy moorland turf. 

It may not be the longest (though longer than the sister Queen's course), but with blind shots, humps, hollows and sloping greens, this is a course that will only reward precise and considered play. Gleneagles is also one of just eight golf clubs or resorts to have more than one course that features in the Golf Monthly Top 100 Courses UK and Ireland.

The King’s opened for play in 1919 and has frequently been used for big events, among them several stagings of the Scottish Open. In 1921, a group of American professionals, including Walter Hagen, took on a team from Britain around the King’s course, a contest that would prove the testing ground and forerunner to a little event you may have heard of called the Ryder Cup six years later.

The opener is a stirring sight well-known to a certain generation of golfers who may never even have visited, courtesy of the popular Pro-Celebrity Golf series hosted by Peter Alliss in the 1980s. This modest-length par 4 rises steeply at the far end to a shelf green protected by a deep central bunker and several others to immediately gain elevation and further enhance the views.

The 3rd is then played totally blind over a steep crest, and whatever you may feel about such challenges, you’ll still experience a real sense of excited anticipation as you come over the brow to find out if you picked the right club and your approach is as good as you thought it was.

Of course, no-one would design such a hole these days, but this is Braid’s playground, and over recent years the resort has re-introduced a number of other long-lost Braid features to take fuller advantage of the King’s course’s heritage. The King's rightly continues to rate very highly in any list of the best inland golf courses in Scotland.

The majesty of the glorious Perthshire countryside makes any round here an unforgettable experience over an historic and highly enjoyable course held in near-universal high esteem.

What The Top 100 Panel Said

Andrew Oliver

Gleneagles is a giant golfing playground (other pursuits are available) and, for me, the King's is the best test of golf. Perhaps not as sporty as the Queen's but more playable and enjoyable than the PGA Centenary. This is premium-level golf at a premium price, but all things considered, if you’re looking to treat yourself to something special, you won’t go far wrong here.

Tim Gorman

The King's course is pretty to look at. It has all the strengths and finesse of the Queen’s course, but there is just more of it to enjoy!  The views from the 10th tee and high point on the 11th fairway towards or down Gleneagles Glen are excellent. A test for golfers of all abilities who can afford the green fees.

Gleneagles King's Course Location

Gleneagles King's Course Green Fees

Book online via the resort's website

Best Courses Near Gleneagles

GLENEAGLES QUEEN'S
It may be a relatively short track by modern standards, but the Queen’s delivers a complete test of golf. It’s long been a favourite at Gleneagles and works over recent years have greatly enhanced what was already a tremendous course in terms of both aesthetics and playability. Set on the high ground of the Gleneagles Estate, the views are phenomenal.

BLAIRGOWRIE ROSEMOUNT
James Braid is one of the most prolific architects in our Top 100, and the Rosemount is his 1930s reworking of an earlier Alister MacKenzie design. While finding the fairways on this tree-lined classic is more about accuracy than brute force, the reward for so doing will be the chance to play from a perfect lie.

Best Places To Stay Near Gleneagles

Gleneagles -  Book now at Booking.com
The world-famous five-star resort is set in 850 glorious acres and embraces the best of old-world French chateau-style class and 21st century standards. The beautiful grounds were inspired by Capability Brown, while dining options range from the Strathearn, The Birnam and Andrew Fairlie’s restaurant, to the informality of Auchterarder 70 in the clubhouse (Gleneagles' first telephone number!). It is simply a superb place to stay.

Cairn Lodge - Book now at Booking.com
Located in Auchterarder, the closest town to Gleneagles, Cairn Lodge is a charming Victorian hunting lodge with free WiFi and free parking. It offers luxurious accommodation and a restaurant specialising in seasonal dishes. Spacious and elegant, with a flat-screen TV, each room benefits from a modern en-suite bathroom. 

Gleneagles King's Gallery

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GLENEAGLES KING'S COURSE HISTORICAL TOP 100 RANKING UK&I

• 2023/24 - 36
• 2021/22 - 38
• 2019/20 - 37
• 2017/18 - 37
• 2015/16 - 40
• 2013/14 - 36
• 2011/12 - 27
• 2009/10 - 20

Frequently Asked Questions