< Proper alignment is one of the key funda-
mentals beginning golfers need to learn.
PRO'S CORNER - BY TOM BURLEY, PGA
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> C L I C K H E R E F O R I N F O R M AT I O N O N G O L F C L I N I C S AT I N D I A N W E L L S E V E R Y T U E S D AY ! S AT U R D AY
I
t can be intimidating for new
golfers to take up the sport, but
there are a few fundamentals that
if mastered from the start can make
the game much more enjoyable.
In addition to taking new
golfers out on the course to
learn the etiquette of raking
bunkers, filling divots, repair-
ing ball marks and more, In-
dian Wells Golf Resort PGA
Head Golf Professional Tom Burley
focuses on the basics to ensure play-
ers create good habits. Here, he takes
us through his top tips for beginning
golfers:
••••
POSTURE
In order to address the ball cor-
rectly, stand up straight with your
legs locked, parallel to your target.
Grip the club and bring it up so the
end of the grip is pointed at your
belly button. Bend forward with your
upper body. Let your arms hang
straight down and have a slight knee
bend, maintaining a straight back.
••••
GRIP
The hardest thing for a golfer to do
once they have already begun is to
change their grip, so starting cor-
rectly is key. There are a number of
different grip styles. Overlapping is
the most popular – place your right
pinky finger in between your left
forefinger and middle finger. The in-
terlocking grip is best for small
hands – interlock your right pinky
with your left forefinger, crossing
them over the top of each other.
••••
ALIGNMENT
The worst thing you can do as a be-
ginner is to line up incorrectly and hit
a great shot that misses your target.
Think about standing on railroad
tracks. Your body should be lined up
down the left track, while your ball
should run down the right track.
GETTING STARTED
Novice players can get up to speed with these 3 tips
SCHOOL'S IN SESSION
F
or golfers who are either new to
the game or frustrated with their
lack of improvement, the Golf Made
Simple program that's offered at In-
dian Wells Golf Resort can make a sig-
nificant difference.
With three-day sessions Monday-
Wednesday and Thursday-Sunday
each week through May 13, the
classes are easy to schedule and offer
students the ability to improve
quickly.
Golf Made Simple instructors work
with students from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
each day, followed by a round of golf
each afternoon so players can take
what they learn on the range to the
course.
Packages begin at $1,385 without
hotel, or $1,792 with accommoda-
tions. CLICK HERE to sign up.
GOLF MADE SIMPLE
