UK Golf Pro Visits the US Godfather of Golf

Jan. 5, 2009 - PRLog -- When UK PGA Professional Paul Thornley took his indoor golf swing training aid Targetline to America to see what the US godfather of golf Doctor Gary Wiren would make of it, the two found they had a lot in common.

Golf Around the World MD Dr Wiren, who was responsible for writing the US PGA manual, claimed the title of top teacher of the year several times in America and was charged with the honourable task of teaching Jack Nicklaus’ children to play.

Paul was looking to see if Targetline (http://www.targetline.co.uk), a golf swing training aid that utilises the successful concept of a raised tee and shortened club, would meet Dr Wiren’s required standards to be accepted into his university of training aids and was set for a series of testing and trials. Whilst there, the two got talking about the short club and raised tee concept which Dr Wiren had used himself over the years as a golf professional.  

The principles of the concept offer many benefits to the golfer. Paul Thornley explains: “It teaches the golfer to stand squarely to a target line, enables the club to be less tampered with in the back swing so the golfer can make a more one piece action taking the club through a smoother turn with a balanced pivot. And the overriding benefit is that it tricks people into hitting the ball forwards rather than attempting to get the ball in the air, which is the job of the club.”

A raised tee means the ball is 12-14 inches off the ground and so already in the air. This means the golfer subconsciously turns to striking the ball forwards rather than attempting to lift the ball into the air by hanging back and flicking it with the wrists or slicing it.

Dr Wiren agreed with Paul on the benefits of the raised tee and shortened club concept for golf training and practice. Paul further explains: “The raised ball and the short club encourage the golfer to practice turning through the ball correctly, driving it forwards and allowing the loft of the club to lift the ball into the air.”

Dr Wiren was suitably impressed with Paul Thornley’s golf swing training aid Targetline, and the two companies have become partners with Golf Around the World handling most of the product’s distribution in the United States.

For more information on Targetline and PGA Professional Paul Thornley visit http://www.targetline.co.uk.

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Targetline is a unique system that brings golf indoors. It can be used for golf practice and training and as an indoor competition. Targetline is safe to use in a confined space, easy to set up, fully transportable and compact for storage. For more information visit http://www.targetline.co.uk