On the eve of hosting the 2019 Solheim Cup, luxury Scottish golf resort Gleneagles has staged a hugely successful launch session of love.golf, a pioneering social group coaching programme exclusively for women.
As part of Gleneagles’ ongoing commitment to make its world-class facilities more accessible to everyone, beginner through to aficionado, it invited 20 enthusiastic females, many of whom were first-timers, to be part of an introductory session on the award-winning hotel’s Pitch and Putt Course.
Overseen by Head PGA Golf Professional Andrew Jowett, and guest love.golf coach from West Kilbride Golf Club, Linzi Dye, participants embraced the engaging approach, which is based on the academic study of award-winning Fellow PGA Professional and love.golf founder, Alastair Spink.
By adding social group coaching to the many routes golfers and enthusiasts can experience the game, Gleneagles continues to lead the industry by offering a range of innovative coaching programmes and events.
This is headlined by the Gleneagles Foundation, in its fourth year, that supports young and aspiring elite players. From six-years-old and upwards, the 850-acre Perthshire estate also stages Wee Eagles Camps in school holiday periods to inspire boys and girls into the game. These initiatives are supported by sell-out Junior and Women’s Open competitions, the latter attracting over 150 participants at each event.
Following the love.golf session, Andrew Jewett commented: “While many non-golfers may perceive golf to be difficult to learn, by using thelove.golfapproach, this introductory session was able to demonstrate how inclusive, informal and engaging golf can be when shared with friends or colleagues. love.golf is about learning together and getting out onto a golf course as soon as possible, not spending hours hitting golf balls on the range. Research shows that women who participate enjoy a sense of togetherness, a relaxed format, unexpected enjoyment and a boost in confidence.”
He added: “We are proud to introduce this concept to Gleneagles at a time when the female game is in the spotlight, and the Perthshire Estate gets set to welcome the biggest women’s golf team event in the world.”
Gleneagles, celebrating 100 years of golf this year, plans to stage a series oflove.golfsessions from the Autumn onwards and create a lasting legacy of introducing women to the game following its hosting of the Solheim Cup.