Whether you’re a complete novice or seasoned golfer the one place that must be on your bucket list is a visit to Scotland the spiritual home of golf.
A country of great historical and cultural interest, you will be blown away by the breath-taking scenery of the mountains to the lochs and stunned by the architectural splendour of Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Whilst St Andrews can boast the oldest course in the world with the Grand Old Lady dating back to 1552, for pure grandeur and facilities it is hard to beat the wonder that is Gleneagles.
The hotel, the epitome of 5-star luxury has 232 rooms and suites. Set in 850 acres it has four restaurants (one with two Michelin stars), state of the art Spa and Wellness centre and facilities that include tennis, falconry, off-road driving, and horse riding, but let’s be honest…it’s all about the golf.
With three of the best courses in Scotland Gleneagles has hosted both the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup.
There is also the Wee Course which has nine par three holes which is a fantastic way to get started or improve your game.
It goes without saying that the training facilities are second to none.
The PGA Academy uses the latest technology and is home to some of the world’s finest coaches. There is a TrackMan simulator providing unique graphics and instant analysis on all aspects of your game. The TrackMan Technology has the latest software which gives you a detailed breakdown of your swing and how to improve it. To top the tech, they also offer Biomechanical analysis which applies elements of physics and physiology.
As if all this wasn’t enough to get your game on track you can use the 320-yard driving range to practice your swing or choose one of the three putting greens to fine tune your short game.
With all of this, it is no wonder that Gleneagles was voted number one in the top 100 UK golf courses.
The hotel and most of the facilities are opened year-round and with the right clothing anytime is good to visit, however, if you are lucky enough to visit over Hogmanay (New Year) the hotel celebrates in style, and it is quite a spectacle to see an army of Bagpipers “pipe in” the Haggis.
Getting to Gleneagles is “doable” from almost anywhere in the world. It is approximately a one-hour drive from the international airports of Glasgow or Edinburgh, or you can travel directly by train from Kings Cross in London.
Your Scottish golf vacation may not be your cheapest option, but one thing is for sure it will certainly be your most memorable.
