Best Golf Courses in Perthshire

Gleneagles and the finest inland golf in Scotland – championship courses in the heart of the Perthshire countryside.

Perthshire golf begins and ends with Gleneagles. The Ryder Cup venue, three championship courses, a five-star hotel that has hosted the G8 and G20, and a spa that is among the finest in Britain – Gleneagles is not simply the best golf resort in Scotland. It is the best in Europe, and one of a handful in the world that genuinely earns that description. The King’s Course is a James Braid masterpiece of moorland design. The Queen’s is shorter and more accessible. The PGA Centenary Course, which hosted the 2014 Ryder Cup, is a Nicklaus-designed championship test of the highest quality.

Beyond Gleneagles, Perthshire offers the most scenic inland golf in Scotland. Blairgowrie Golf Club – the Rosemount Course in particular – is one of the finest heathland-forest hybrids in Britain. Crieff Golf Club’s Ferntower Course plays across rolling Perthshire farmland with views toward the Highland boundary. And the region’s setting – the gateway to the Highlands, with the River Tay, Loch Earn and the Ochil Hills all within reach – makes it the most complete countryside destination in Scottish golf.

The Courses

Gleneagles – King’s Course ⭐ Stay•Play•Recover

Auchterarder, Perthshire · Moorland · Hotel Guests · Par 72

James Braid’s 1919 masterpiece — a moorland layout of perfect scale and character, with views across Perthshire on every hole and a routing that respects the natural terrain with the confidence of a designer at the peak of his powers. The King’s Course is the heart of Gleneagles and the most loved of the three championship courses. Playing it at golden hour on a June evening, with the Ochil Hills catching the last of the light, is one of the finest experiences Scottish golf produces.

Green fees from: £295 (hotel guest)

Gleneagles — PGA Centenary Course ⭐

Auchterarder, Perthshire · Moorland · Hotel Guests · Par 72

Jack Nicklaus’s Ryder Cup design – opened in 1993, redesigned for the 2014 matches, and now a fully mature championship test of 7,274 yards that demands the full repertoire of shot-making. The PGA Centenary is longer, wider and more exposing than the King’s — better for lower handicap golfers who want a modern championship test alongside the classic moorland experience of the other courses.

Green fees from: £295 (hotel guest)

Gleneagles — Queen’s Course ⭐

Auchterarder, Perthshire · Moorland · Hotel Guests · Par 68

The most accessible of the three Gleneagles courses and the ideal introduction for golfers joining partners who play at a higher level. The Queen’s is shorter and less demanding than the King’s or PGA Centenary, but shares the same Perthshire setting and moorland character. An excellent round in its own right.

Green fees from: £145 (hotel guest)

Blairgowrie Golf Club — Rosemount Course

Blairgowrie, Perthshire · Heathland / Forest · Visitors Welcome · Par 72

One of the finest inland courses in Scotland and the most underrated — the Rosemount Course at Blairgowrie plays through ancient pine forest and heathland with a character that sits somewhere between Surrey and the Scottish links. Consistently ranked among Scotland’s top twenty courses and accessible to visitors year-round. An essential addition to any Perthshire golf itinerary for golfers who want to play beyond Gleneagles.

Green fees from: £85 (visitor)

Stay•Play•Recover in Perthshire

Gleneagles Hotel ⭐ Stay•Play•Recover

The definitive Stay•Play•Recover destination in Scotland and one of the finest golf and spa resorts in the world. Three championship courses, an ESPA spa of the highest quality, Michelin-starred dining (Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles), equestrian and shooting facilities, and a five-star hotel that sets the benchmark for Scottish luxury hospitality. A stay here is not simply a golf trip — it is a complete destination in itself.

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Recovery & Wellness in Perthshire

The ESPA spa at Gleneagles is the finest hotel spa in Scotland — thermal suite, extensive treatment menu, indoor and outdoor facilities and a standard of wellness provision that matches the golf in quality.

Practical Information

Best time to visit: May–September. Gleneagles’ moorland courses play well year-round on their well-drained terrain, but summer offers the longest days and best conditions. June evenings on the King’s Course are exceptional.

Getting there: Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is 60 minutes by road from Gleneagles. Glasgow International (GLA) is 50 minutes. Perth train station is 15 minutes; direct trains from Edinburgh Waverley take 70 minutes. Gleneagles station has a dedicated stop on the Glasgow–Perth line.

Green fee ranges: Budget £85 (Blairgowrie Rosemount) · Premium £145–295 (Gleneagles courses, hotel guest rates)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gleneagles worth it?

Yes — unreservedly. Gleneagles is the best golf resort in Europe. Three championship courses, an exceptional spa, Michelin-starred dining and a five-star hotel in a magnificent Perthshire setting. The King’s Course alone justifies the journey. The full Stay•Play•Recover experience — golf, spa, food — is among the finest in the world at any price point.

Which Gleneagles course is best for a mid-handicap golfer?

The King’s Course is the best choice for most mid-handicap golfers — it is challenging but not punishing, and the moorland character and views make it the most enjoyable of the three. The Queen’s Course is more forgiving. The PGA Centenary is the most demanding and suits low handicap golfers who want a full championship test.

Can non-hotel guests play Gleneagles?

Golf at Gleneagles is reserved for hotel guests. Non-residents cannot book tee times. A minimum one-night stay is required to access any of the three courses. Day visitor golf is not available.