Now more than ever golfers understand the importance of golf-specific fitness in achieving a great golf swing and local players are being offered the chance of putting it into practice with one of the world’s leading coaches.

The Royal Golf Club (RGC) is flying in golf fitness coach Antonio Ferrer again from the Spanish capital of Madrid. He will return to the facility this week for the second time this year following the success of his initial sessions and a demand for his services from keen players.

Ferrer, who has coached many well-known golfers including Javier Ballesteros and Pedro Oriol on the European Tour, Elisa Serramia (LPGA), Javier Colomo (Asian Tour) and Mariano Ochoa (Mena Tour), will be available for three-hour long ‘one-on-one’ coaching sessions until September 13.

The cost per session is BD80 for members and BD100 for non-members.

There is also an opportunity for children to pick up the sport with the RGC’s team of PGA golf professionals during a new six-week-long programme of junior group golf classes.

There are starter classes for new or still developing players who can learn together and advanced classes for players with some experience who will spend an increasing amount of time working on their playing skills in and around the 9 hole Wee Monty par 3 golf course.

The programme starts on Friday and Saturday with classes taking place from 9am to 10am, 10am to 11am and 5pm to 6pm.

The six-week programme costs BD60 per child for one hour of tuition per week and includes use of equipment, use of the driving range, cold towels and water.

Adults who have ever fancied giving golf a try can also sign up for introductory group golf lessons for beginners for just BD20 each. The fun, two-hour sessions are staged under the guidance of a PGA instructor. The first hour allows participants to learn the basics of golf, followed by a one-hour introduction to the Wee Monty par 3 golf course.

Group lessons for beginners are available every Monday evening from 6pm and every Saturday afternoon from 4pm. The price includes tuition, equipment hire, golf balls and refreshments.

To meet Antonio Ferrer at the Royal Golf Academy email j.fuentes@theroyalgolfclub.com or call 17750777 … and to reserve a place for a child in the junior golf classes call the same number and ask for ext. 302.