With three championship courses to choose from, it’s no wonder that this is the third time Gleneagles has received the “Best Golf Resort in the World” award. In addition, Gleneagles will also be the hosting venue for the upcoming Ryder Cup in 2014. When most people think of golf resorts, they automatically assume that the hotel came first and the golf course followed sometime after. However, with Gleneagles, it’s the complete opposite. The King’s Course actually launched five years prior to the hotel and dates back all the way to 1919.
King’s Course
Designed with the amateur and professional golfer in mind, the King’s Course was meticulously planned to test ‘even the best players’ shot-making skills over the eighteen holes.’ The King’s course also features a springy moorland turf underfoot with breathtaking views of both the mountains in the north and the rolling green hills to the south. One of the unique features of the King’s Course is the fact that each hole has been given a Scotts names such as “Het Girdle”, or “Warslin’ Lea” to reflect the difficulty of the hole.
PGA Centenary Course
As a par 73 course, the PGA Centenary Course is a recurring favorite for many and will be the course for the 2014 Ryder Cup. Originally called the Monarch Course, the PGA Centenary was redesigned in 1993 by the well-know Jack Nicklaus. Jack Nicklaus was even quoted saying that this course was “The finest parcel of land in the world I have ever been given to work with.”
In 2011, the course was renovated even further but still kept the original focus of maintaining a unique and challenging course that also featured a modern design. With spectacular views of the countryside and the rugged Grampians, it’s easy to get lost in the views as you move past each hold.
Queen’s Course
The Queen’s Course has attracted some of the world’s top golfers and celebrities alike. From Johnny Miller, Greg Norman, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino to Sean Connery, Bing Crosby, and Alan Shepard, this course has a natural beauty that attracts even the most experienced golfers. The course starts out with a challenging opening hole known as the “Trystin’ Tree, or lover’s meeting place. As you start to make your way around the course, your skills may be tested by the strategically placed bunkers and slopes that lean just enough towards the trees to make it difficult.
As one of the best luxury golf resorts in the world, Gleneagles offers golfers of all skill levels the opportunity to play challenging and unique courses with breathtaking views surrounding each hole. We definitely recommend checking out Gleneagles if you are considering an international golf trip for your next vacation.