January 13, 2004

By: Sharon Madison
Website: http://www.1st-in-golf.com

Natural Golf to offer free lessons to help grow the game of golf

In an effort to increase the popularity and participation in the game of golf, Natural Golf Corporation announced today that it will offer Natural Golf group lessons, normally valued at $40, for free, beginning July 4, 2003.

In direct response to concerns about the future of golf participation raised by groups such as the PGA of America, the National Golf Foundation, and the golf industry leadership group known as Golf 20/20, Natural Golf President and CEO Andrew Wyant said it was time for Natural Golf Corporation to take a lead role in reversing the trend of hundreds of thousands of golfers leaving the game each year. One way his company will do that, he said, is by providing a free group lesson to golfers and interested non-golfers nationally.

"When we listened to the industry's research about why golfers were leaving the game and why participation rates were not increasing, we consistently heard that one of the largest issues was the difficulty of the game," Wyant said. "We want to help the golf industry draw a line in the sand, and stop this exodus of new and veteran golfers who are just fed up with playing lousy most of the time.

"Golfers want to have fun when they play, and one of the ways of having fun is playing better," he adds. "We know through scientific studies and, more importantly, from golfers themselves, that the Natural Golf Swing System simplifies the basic golf swing and helps golfers play and score better."

According to statistics compiled by the company, the Natural Golf swing improves the typical golfer's handicap by an average of 35 percent after attending a Natural Golf school. Many Natural Golfers reduce their handicaps by 50 percent or more. In addition, the swing has helped golfers increase accuracy and distance while reducing strain on the body because of less twisting.

The free group lessons will be limited to a student-teacher ratio of 7-to-1 to ensure a high-level of learning during the session, according to Wyant. A Natural Golf Certified Instructor, who is generally also a PGA professional, will instruct the group lesson.

During the lesson, which will last 1½ hours, students will learn the Four Fundamentals of the Natural Golf swing and hit shots while an instructor offers some personal instruction.

The lessons are open to all golfers interested in learning the method. Although the lesson is free, participants will pay $10 to partially cover the cost of golf balls and fees charged by the golf sites.

Natural Golf Clinics and schools are now taught at more than 200 school sites nationwide, the most of any golf-teaching program. However, in the situation where a site isn't convenient for golfers to attend a group lesson, Natural Golf will offer to send its video on the Natural Golf swing at a special $10 price.

"We want to keep the 'lesson' free, but we need to charge the $10 fee for the video to cover our shipping and handling costs," Wyant says.

Through its golf schools and clinics, informational tapes and equipment, Natural Golf has improved the games of more than 200,000 golf adherents and beginners into "Natural Golfers," including touring professionals such as Sandy Lyle, winner of both the British Open and Masters tournaments as well as 27 tournaments worldwide.

"We want to put some fun back into the game," says Ed Woronicz, Natural Golf's Director of Golf Operations and Instruction and a PGA professional for more than 20 years. "If people are having fun playing golf, then they will keep playing golf. It's that simple. Even better, they may then introduce some of their friends to the game and help grow the game, which is what we all want."

Also see: online golf lessons.

Author Notes:

Sharon Madison contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-golf.com.  A source of information on golf equipment, golf manufacturers, supplies, tips and more.