Off the whites at Gleneagles

What a lovely May Bank Holiday weekend I had up at Gleneagles! I had the opportunity to play the PGA Centenary Course which will host the 2014 Ryder Cup and stay at the hotel the night before my round. I had never played any of the courses at Gleneagles so I was really looking forward to the experience. But let me fast forward to today. I received an email from Gleneagles to inform me that they have won the Daily Telegraph Ultra Travel Award for Best Golf Resort in the World- for the second year running. If you've ever played and stayed at Gleneagles, it's easy to understand why. David, who looked after me on reception, went out of his way to make it easy for me to ditch my bags before my round and check in quickly.  Jane, in the Pro Shop, had the patience of a saint on a very busy weekend and was great fun. And, I enjoyed some friendly banter with Eric, the starter (and a fellow Yorkshireman), on the first tee. Even before I hit a golf ball, I felt like I knew half the staff.

But, without doubt, the most impressive thing about Gleneagles was the tees. I have visited many UK golf clubs where it is naturally assumed that women tee off the red tees and, even as female pro, I have been asked to tee off the red tees. Gleneagles was a breath of fresh air.  Eric, the starter, asked me which tee I would like to play off. The assumption at Gleneagles is that I should play off the tee most suited to my ability, not my gender. So, I chose to tee off the whites and it was great to be so close to where the fellas will tee off in 2014.

I played a lot of golf in the States where I went to college. Over there, choosing a tee based on your ability is the norm.  It's not unusual to see a man teeing off from tee in front of his wife, if she is the better player.  It's about making the course a fair test and enjoyable for every player.  So, regardless of age or gender, choose the tee that makes sense.

I shot level par off the whites. There were some very tricky tee shots and I can't wait to see how the guys handle the course in 2014.