With his father, Percy Alliss, among the finest players of his generation, it was perhaps inevitable that Peter would also make a career in golf.

Percy hired Peter as his unpaid assistant at Ferndown Golf Club, allowing him time off during midweek to compete in tournaments. With some degree of success in his first professional tournaments,
Peter quickly established himself among the top young players of the time.

Between 1954 and 1969, he won 21 professional tournaments - including three British PGA championships - and was twice winner of the Vardon Trophy. In September 1958, he won the national championships of Italy, Spain, and Portugal in three consecutive weeks.

He spent just six weeks on the American tour, in 1954, and therefore is known primarily as a commentator in the USA.

His first appearance in the Ryder Cup was in 1953, and with the single exception of 1955, he represented Great Britain and Ireland in the event until 1969 and is one of only two father-and-son duos to have represented their country at this level.

He retired from the professional golf circuit in 1969.