Pine Ridge Golf Club has become the first in the UK to offer disabled golfers the opportunity to experience the sport using specially-adapted clubs from America.
The leading Surrey complex has purchased two Adapta-Clubs from US company Golf Country, which are particularly effective for wheelchair users.
Adapta-Clubs feature a unique hinged hosel design which means they can be adjusted to lie flatter than conventional golf clubs. This helps disabled golfers to strike the ball effectively because the sole of the club always lies parallel to the ground.
Greg Brodie, the club’s main teaching professional, provides regular tuition for more than 20 clients from Camberley-based Disability Initiative, a charity which offers opportunities and support to disabled people to enable them to aspire to their chosen goals and release their potential.
Greg said, “The new clubs, combined with extra wide driving range bays and power tees – which automatically replace the golf ball on the tee – is a great help for disabled people to experience golf.
“The facilities and equipment we provide, alongside a little expert tuition, means that wheelchair users and other disabled people can experience the joy of hitting the perfect golf shot.”
Pine Ridge Golf Club, near Camberley, is home to one of eight Crown Golf Academies, the UK’s largest network of golf coaching centres. The purchase of the Adapta-Clubs is part of the club’s commitment to providing first-rate practice and teaching facilities for disabled golfers as well as more able-bodied players.
John Martin, a client and golfer from Disability Initiative said, “The new clubs allow me to play golf from my wheelchair and I actually stand a chance of hitting the ball! Compared to a normal club, I can put the club face flat on the ground and line it up with the ball which means if I do hit it, it goes a lot further”.
Anyone wanting to find out more about disabled golf tuition should contact Greg Brodie at Pine Ridge Golf Club on 01276 675444.
Pine Ridge boasts a challenging 18-hole par 72 course, a floodlit driving range, a Crown Golf Academy, equipment hire, a golf shop and a 10-pin bowling centre. In addition there is a restaurant and bar and function facilities perfect for conferences and special occasions.
Crown Golf www.crown-golf.co.uk