PGA Gleneagles

[Adi2Dassler]

I was lucky enough to get a last minute invite on Saturday to play at the PGA and obviously accepted without hesitation.

Before heading off I mentioned to a couple of friends where I'd be playing and both told me it was average at best, generally crap, really long and too far from green to tee to enjoy.It really put a dampener on my excitement.

So I played and started off badly N/R the second and generally not playing well in the drizzle.I managed to get myself together and started playing to my expectations.

The thing is, I loved the course from the 1st tee to the 18th green, the only minor critique I had was a couple of the par three's were quite short considering it's a PGA/Ryder Cup venue.

So I loved it and would go back the morra, anyone else played it and loved it/hated it?

 

[JezzE]

Played it once a few years ago, and like you enjoyed it far more than everyone had told me I was going to.

There are lots of good holes - perhaps a few less good ones on the back nine, but the holes the same side of the road as the King's are every bit as good as the older courses.

Any new course built alongside more established courses with lofty reputations is on a bit of a hiding to nothing, isn't it?

 

[Adi2Dassler]

Played it once a few years ago, and like you enjoyed it far more than everyone had told me I was going to.

There are lots of good holes - perhaps a few less good ones on the back nine, but the holes the same side of the road as the King's are every bit as good as the older courses.

Any new course built alongside more established courses with lofty reputations is on a bit of a hiding to nothing, isn't it?

Good to hear I'm not alone Jezz.I've never been lucky enough to play any of the other Gleneagles courses, but if either are better than the PGA they must be something else, and this coming from someone who enjoys links golf far more than inland golf.

As for new neighbours being on a bit of a hiding, Kingsbarns does OK, as does Renaissance/Archerfield and Mach Dunes.Anyone who moans about any of those courses is a golfing snob who refuses to recognise that new courses can be just as good as their illustrious neighbours.

 

[CliveW]

Before heading off I mentioned to a couple of friends where I'd be playing and both told me it was average at best, generally crap, really long and too far from green to tee to enjoy.It really put a dampener on my excitement.

Sounds a bit like sour grapes to me. All of the Gleneagles courses are fantastic, but personally I prefer the older courses as they aren't quite so long and more scenic. To me the PGA is typical of a Nicklaus course, designed for players who fade the ball, and with a fair bit of walking between green and tee, particularly between the 2nd & 3rd and the 8th & 9th.
Currently Gleneagles is offering a special rate for a fourball of £299 saving you £321!

http://www.gleneagles.com/golf/green-fees-and-caddies

 

[level5s]

I got the same input when telling people I was due to play the PGA.
Most of the comments were in comparison with the other 2 Gleneagles, so they must be some courses as I really enjoyed my day on the PGA.
So I am looking forward to adding them to my list and I have ticked off a tournament venue as it was the day after the Johnnie Walker but I couldnt find the birdie, birdie, birdie finish to copy Molinari.

 

[thecraw]

Its totally out of character and lacks the finese of the Kings etc. It's a brut that requires driver, boom, long approach to greens enclosed in bunkers or water hazards.

There is little thought in the design or how to play the course, no holes where the sensible option is 3 wood/hybrid or long iron off the tee into position. It's all boom boom hit it as far as you can.

It is a nice course but for me it's the weakest and least enjoyable, even at £75 I'd drive past it and head to Blairgowrie Rosemount.

 

[Adi2Dassler]

Its totally out of character and lacks the finese of the Kings etc. It's a brut that requires driver, boom, long approach to greens enclosed in bunkers or water hazards.

There is little thought in the design or how to play the course, no holes where the sensible option is 3 wood/hybrid or long iron off the tee into position. It's all boom boom hit it as far as you can.

It is a nice course but for me it's the weakest and least enjoyable, even at £75 I'd drive past it and head to Blairgowrie Rosemount.

I've just had a wee think about by shots off the tee ( played the yellows) and I pretty much disagree with 'no holes where the sensible option is 3 wood/hybrid or long iron off the tee into position'. I played a 3 wood on the 1st,2nd and 16th a 4 iron at the 8th and a 3 iron at the 11th.I carry my drives about 270/280 and on each of those occasions hitting driver would have put me in some sort of trouble.

I've never played Blairgowrie though, sounds nice.

 

[Dodger]

I have been lucky enough to have been invited to play up there in a couple of weeks time and have been asked to chose which one I want to play....

Having played the Kings and the PGA but not the Queens I will be going for the Kings or Queens as I aint played the Queens yet and find the Kings far more interesting and taxing on the mind than the PGA which I have found to be rather dull apart from the holes that are closest to the Kings.

I agree that the PGA is a typical Jack course,suits faders,big tees,big greens,big bunkers and big walks.....not a place I would go out of my to play I am afraid.

 

[thecraw]

A carry of 280 is longer than world number 9 Luke Donald, no wonder you hit 4 iron off some tees. I will concede that the 1st is probably not a driver however a mere mortal like myself who has an average carry of 230 its a driver always course for me!

 

[Adi2Dassler]

A carry of 280 is longer than world number 9 Luke Donald, no wonder you hit 4 iron off some tees. I will concede that the 1st is probably not a driver however a mere mortal like myself who has an average carry of 230 its a driver always course for me!

Didnt know that about Donald, shame the rest of my game bears no resemblence to his!

 

[John_Findlay]

I carry my drives about 270/280 and on each of those occasions hitting driver would have put me in some sort of trouble.

Cripes. Big hitting. That's over the fence on the range at KingsAcre (260).

I've only been on the PGA once but that was a 140 yard snap hook from a tee at Auchterarder GC.

Pricey!!!