Gleneagles, Scotland: Golf Courses and Major Tournaments

Gleneagles, Scotland is home to several significant golf courses, all housed within the historic Gleneagles Hotel. The Gleneagles Hotel is a resort whose offerings include 63 holes of golf plus an instructional academy.

Golf Courses at Gleneagles

Gleneagles Hotel is home to three major 18-hole golf courses and one 9-hole course. One course in particular, the PGA Centenary Course, stands out as the site of numerous important professional golf tournaments, including the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup. Courses at Gleneagles have been designed by legends such as James Braid and Jack Nicklaus.

PGA Centenary Course

The Gleneagles resort dates to 1924, but its best-known golf course is of more recent vintage. In 1988, the resort hired Nicklaus to design a new, 18-hole course. That course—which opened in 1993 with the name Monarch's Course—took the place of two other courses at Gleneagles (Glendevon and Prince's).

Nicklaus' Monarch's Course was renamed PGA Centenary Course in 2001 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the British Professional Golfers Association. Nicklaus returned in 2011 and 2012 to lead a renovation of the course.

King's Course

King's Course opened in 1919 with an original design by British golf legend James Braid. It is a par-71 that plays 6,790 yards from the back tees.

Queen's Course

The Queen's Course, also designed by Braid, is a much shorter track (5,965 yards) with a par of 68.

PGA National Academy Course

Part of the PGA National Golf Academy at Gleneagles, this is a 9-hole, par-3 course designed for beginners. Its origins date to 1928, when it was called the "Wee Course."

Auchterarder Golf Club

The only other golf course in the town of Gleneagles is Auchterarder Golf Club, located adjacent to the Centenary Course. This course, which is not affiliated with the Gleneagles Hotel, is a parkland-style golf course, easy to walk at 5,800 yards.

Golf Tournaments in Gleneagles

Several important golf tournaments have been held on Gleaneagles golf courses, including the Scottish Open and the Ryder Cup.

Scottish Open

The tournament on the European Tour took place on Gleneagles' King's Course from 1987 through 1994. The champions in those years included Ian Woosnam (twice) and Jesper Parnevik.

Johnnie Walker Championship

Another European Tour event, this championship was played on the PGA Centenary Course from 1999 until 2013. Among the champions were Paul Casey (twice), Adam Scott, Thomas Bjorn and Tommy Fleetwood.

1936 Curtis Cup

The third-ever Curtis Cup, a biennial USA vs. Great Britain and Ireland tournament for amateur women golfers, was played on the King's Course. Pam Barton and Helen Holm were among those on Team Great Britain and Ireland; Glenna Collett Vare and Patty Berg were among the Americans. The tournament ended in a 4.5 to 4.5 tie, and Team USA retained the Cup.

2014 Ryder Cup

Played on the Centenary Course, Team Europe won its third consecutive Ryder Cup. The final score was 16.5 to 11.5. Justin Rose lead the Europeans with a 3-0-2 record and four points earned; Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia were among Rose's teammates. For Team USA, Bubba Watson, Zach Johnson and Rickie Fowler were all winless.

2019 Solheim Cup

Scheduled for September 13-15, 2019 between Team Europe and Team USA squads comprised of LPGA and Ladies European Tour golfers. It will be played on the PGA Centenary Course.

The Big Three

In 1966, the King's Course was the site of a match that pitted three golf's three biggest superstars—Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player—against one another. "The Big Three" was a made-for-TV series of four matches between the three golf stars, staged by the BBC. Palmer was the eventual series winner.

Playing Golf at Gleneagles

Gleneagles' golf resort courses are open to the public. The resort option allows golf travelers to book stay-and-play packages combining lodging and green fees with other resort activities. Golfers can also play any of the resort courses on a daily-fee basis: book a tee time, show up, pay your green fees, and tee off.

May through October is the high season for Gleneagles, and green fees can run about £170 more for visitors during this time than in November/December. Hotel guests pay a lower green fee than visitors.

Golfers can check the Green Fees & Pricing section of the Gleneagles website for the latest pricing info and to find online booking options.