About the course
The Queen’s is the shortest of the three championship courses at Gleneagles in Perthshire, a par 68 of a little under 6,000 yards. It shares the moorland estate with the King’s, but its holes are more enclosed, framed by tall pines and heather-lined fairways, with gorse and broom adding colour in season.
James Braid designed the Queen’s at the same time as the King’s, working with C. K. Hutchison, and both were officially opened on 1 May 1919. Braid first laid it out as a nine-hole course, and the full 18 holes were in play by 1925. The current owners of Gleneagles have since renovated the course with the aim of restoring Braid’s original ideas, widening fairways, repositioning bunkers and bringing back native heather.
Its modest length should not be mistaken for an easy test. The first six holes often play into the wind and are among the hardest on the course, and frequent changes of level make club selection tricky. The stretch from the 7th to the 12th is the most scenic part of the round. The 13th is a par 3 played over a loch to a narrow green, and the 15th drops from a raised tee to a pine-framed fairway.
Greens are small and full of movement, so precise iron play counts for far more than power off the tee.
Why we recommend it
The Queen’s is the Gleneagles course to choose when you want a beautiful round rather than a long battle. Shorter and more intimate than its neighbours, it winds through woodland, ridges and small lochs with the Perthshire hills all around. It suits higher handicappers, couples and anyone playing a second round of the day after the King’s. Staying at the hotel makes it easy to combine with the resort’s other two courses.
Photo gallery
| World ranking | – |
| Architect | James Braid |
| Year of foundation | 1919 |
| Par Course | 68 |
| Number of holes | 18 |