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Scotland
About Gleneagles – King’s Golf Course
Opened in 1919, the King’s golf course at Gleneagles is a masterpiece of design that has tested the aristocracy of golf.
It is one of the most beautiful and exhilarating courses in the world with the springy moorland turf underfoot and sweeping views of the Trossachs and Ben Vorlich. Awe-inspiring even before you start to play the brilliant layout.
Braid finished the King's in 1919, and the springy moorland turf underfoot still makes it a proper test for good players.
Serious golfersSpringy moorland turf, Braid's original angles and two holes that settle most matches: the 9th and the last are where good cards come unstuck.
Higher handicapsThere is real climb in this round, well over a hundred metres of up and down, and water appears ten times, so take a buggy if the legs are doubtful and club up on the rises.
Buddy tripsMade for match play. Games turn at the 9th and again at the last, the Trossachs views keep spirits up when the golf does not, and the hotel bars settle the arguments.
Tell us who’s coming and how you like to play, and we’ll shape the right trip around you.
The walk. Moderate. 134 metres of climb over the round.
The wind. The wind is usually south-westerly, averaging 12 km/h, gusting to 48. It is the club selection that catches people out, not the yardage.
The water. 10 hazards in play. Bring a few more balls than you think you need.
The design. James Braid.
The holes that will cost you. The 9th, the 18th and the 2nd. The 9th is the one you will be talking about afterwards.
Hole by hole — how we would play it
1
427 yards — plays like 419, downhill
driver and a short-iron — take the trouble on only if the line is clean
Into the wind — club up, it plays longer
2
517 yards — plays like 511, downhill
reachable in two — go for it
Crosswind — allow for drift
3
389 yards — flat
driver and a short-iron — take the trouble on only if the line is clean
Into the wind — club up, it plays longer
4
228 yards — flat
one-shotter — club for the effective number, not the card
Crosswind — allow for drift
5
459 yards — plays like 465, uphill
a full two-shotter — driver, then a mid/long iron
Into the wind — club up, it plays longer
6
203 yards — plays like 197, downhill
one-shotter — club for the effective number, not the card
Crosswind — allow for drift
7
462 yards — plays like 451, downhill
a full two-shotter — driver, then a mid/long iron
Crosswind — allow for drift
8
416 yards — plays like 405, downhill
driver and a short-iron — take the trouble on only if the line is clean
Crosswind — allow for drift
9
623 yards — plays like 607, downhill
three-shot hole — position over power
Crosswind — allow for drift
10
203 yards — plays like 196, downhill
one-shotter — club for the effective number, not the card
Crosswind — allow for drift
11
324 yards — plays like 329, flat
position hole — less than driver to your number, leave a full wedge
Crosswind — allow for drift
12
440 yards — flat
a full two-shotter — driver, then a mid/long iron
Crosswind — allow for drift
13
479 yards — plays like 474, flat
a full two-shotter — driver, then a mid/long iron
Crosswind — allow for drift
14
314 yards — flat
position hole — less than driver to your number, leave a full wedge
Crosswind — allow for drift
15
464 yards — plays like 445, downhill
a full two-shotter — driver, then a mid/long iron
Crosswind — allow for drift
16
165 yards — flat
one-shotter — club for the effective number, not the card
Crosswind — allow for drift
17
379 yards — plays like 385, uphill
driver and a short-iron — take the trouble on only if the line is clean
Crosswind — allow for drift
18
494 yards — plays like 511, uphill
reachable in two — go for it
Downwind — take less
Terrain and prevailing-weather data, read hole by hole. It is our own assessment of how the course plays, not an official course or slope rating.
The course at a glance
DesignerJames Braid
Holes18
Par71
Length6,790 yds
TypeParkland
DifficultyModerate · 134m of climb
Slope120
Opened1919
Prevailing windSouth-westerly
Signature holeHole 9 · Three-shot hole, position over power
Signature hole
The par-4 13th 'Braid's Best', the hole James Braid named as his favourite on the layout
WHERE TO STAY
Places to stay while you play Gleneagles – King’s Golf Course
Base yourself near the course — every venue here includes Gleneagles – King’s Golf Course in your golf holiday.
This course
Tap a hotel to open it, or zoom in on the satellite view to see how close each one sits to the first tee.
Venue details checked by the Golf Planet Holidays specialist team · Updated May 2026
Frequently asked questions
Golf holidays in United Kingdom. The questions our golfers ask most.
Where should I play in the United Kingdom?
From challenging links to impressive parkland courses, the UK has it all. Tell us your dream golf holiday scenario.
It is easy to get around the United Kingdom?
Yes, getting around the UK for golf is very straightforward. Self-driving is the most popular choice — the motorway network connects major cities and virtually all golf courses have excellent road access. For Scotland, flights from London to Edinburgh or Glasgow take around 90 minutes, or take the scenic East Coast Main Line overnight. In England, most golf regions — Surrey heathland, Kent links, Yorkshire moorland — are within 2-3 hours of London. We include all transfers in our UK packages and can advise on the best travel approach for your group.
Is the United Kingdom good for groups?
Yes. There are plenty of great options if you are going away with your golfing friends.
What about if I am looking for somewhere special in the United Kingdom?
We offer superb hotels all around the United Kingdom, ideal if you wish to combine high levels of comfort with great golf courses.
Are flights included?
Our golf holidays are arranged ground-only — hotel, golf and transfers. You can add flights through us, and those flights are ATOL protected as part of your booking.
How do golf holidays with Golf Planet Holidays work?
Every trip is hand-built. Tell us your group, dates and the destinations you fancy, and we build a personal itinerary — hotel, golf and transfers — around them. There are no fixed packages to squeeze into; we shape the whole break to suit how your group likes to play.
Still have a question? Ask our golf travel team A free quote, no obligation, and no call centre.
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