20 - Gleneagles (King's)

Location: Auchterarder, Scotland

Rating: 8.9

Gleneagles was my first experience of a top end golfing resort. As you drive in you can just sense the aurora of the place. Every blade of grass is cut to perfection!

On a wet afternoon we started with a lengthy wander around the pro shop and it must be the best one I have been in. It had absolutely everything in every brand you can imagine, similar to the one at St Andrews. After spending a small fortune we headed down to the practice area. A range with unlimited balls, high quality ones at that, was a short game area situated just behind the range hitting area. A lovely warm up for the course that was to come.

Heading to the tee box we were greeted by the starter who gleefully handed us our yardage books and off we went, tackling the King's Course. From what I hear the best of the 3 that Gleneagles have to offer but I'm sure the others are just as spectacular.

For me a proper golf course is one where many of the holes are independent to each other and this is definitely the case at Gleneagles, you feel a little lost on the property at times with little to no idea where you are in relation to the clubhouse. I love it!

After working our way through the front 9 we stopped at what must be one of the best halfway huts I have seen. A log cabin situated between the two holes with a excellent offering of pies and drink. They had to usher us out we were taking too long enjoying the comforts!

A thoroughly enjoyable experience, I played here many years ago and it still sits fondly in my memory.