The Gleneagles Hotel - Queen's Course

Great evening of golf at queen's course

Perfect conditions and friendly staff

Starter gave us great advice and practice area was well layed out

With a scorecard of less than 6,000 yards, it's easy to dismiss the 5,926-yard Queen's course at Gleneagles.

If you do, it's off with your head - the course will probably sneak up and bite you. It's all the challenge you could want. The Queen's is short on yardage because the par is 68, including five par 3s. The course's only par five plays under 500 yards, so there are no beefy 600-yard holes to inflate the layout's length.

Take a closer look at the par 4s, though ... 409 at no. 1, 417 at no. 3, 437 at no. 6, 419 at no. 9, 433 at no. 12 and 412 at no. 18. All of those play plenty long and strong. The 252-yard 15th is the only real drivable one.

The Queen's delivers many of the same fine views as the King's course without all of its blind shots. Don't be surprised if someone in your foursome ends up liking it more. Maybe it will be you.

Among the golf options at Gleneagles, the Queens is the shortest of the three 18-hole courses, but by no means worth passing up during your time in the wonderful hills of Perthshire. Though this course was meant to be a reprieve from the Kings course next door, James Braid is still the designer and throws in plenty of challenge for any handicap. Due to its shortish length and the fact it's the 3rd fiddle behind the PGA Centenary and Kings Courses, you can get around 18 holes quite fast, yet enjoy similar, pleasant surroundings and interesting, Golden Era course design. The loop is especially ideal for a casual afternoon round or taking your kids or beginner spouse along for a most friendly round.