Golf-How it is started in Saudi Arabia

When they discovered oil in the Arab peninsula, Americans brought their favorite sport in Saudi Arabia – Golf. By their earthly moving machine they started to convert the desert in to golf links. For their eagerness in this sport, they made the desert golf courses which has been scattered in the three main cities of the kingdom. Like the one before reaching the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Riyadh Desert Golf Course was done by the English men who commissioned the airport in the mid 80’s and until now some Filipino golf enthusiast still maintaining the desert course. In the eastern province, they also have their desert golf course, the Rolling Hills Country Club inside the compound of Dhahran - Aramco Refinery. It was also a desert golf course and through the years they gradually converted it to a grass course. And another desert golf course in Riyadh is the RGC (Riyadh Golf Course) for a decade they only have desert golf course and by the month of June 2005, they will try to open up the new green golf course just at the side of the desert course. There is also a desert golf course in Jeddah and they are not playable right now. The most brilliant golf course in Riyadh is the one in the valley of Dirab. Just 30 minutes drive from diplomatic quarters of Riyadh, take the Makkah national road and turn left to Dirab. You will find the Dirab Golf Course owned and managed by Ibrahim Abunayyan & Sons. A green golf course which you cannot imagine that exist in the valley of Dirab. 

The Saudis got there interest to play golf when the Americans introduced this kind of sport way back twenty years ago. First, they become as a caddie of the golfers and as the time goes by, they also use to play this game. Like, Ali Hamad Bin Harith and Mohammed Fahad Al Khaldi, they serve as a caddie for the Aramco employee and get their skills in playing this game. Now, they are in the National Golf Squad of Saudi Arabia.

  The Saudi Golf Committee founded in the year 1999, under the supervision of the Presidency of Youth Welfare, wants to promote this kind of sport in the kingdom. The committee wants to produce from the Saudi Youth, their future professional golfers to compete in the international tournaments. Right now, we have twenty young Saudi golfers undergoing in a rigid training with the supervision of the professional instructor in the Palm Golf and Country Club of Riyadh Intercontinental Hotel and Dirab Golf Course. As of now, we are trying to promote this sport in the kingdom. We have our two golf courses that we are sure to pass the rating of USGA and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews to host an international Golf Tournament in the near future. In 2007, the Dirab Golf Course and Riyadh Golf Courses will host the Arab Golf Federation Tournament 2007 here in Saudi Arabia. We are hoping by this time we can attract the tourist and international golfers to take a glance in this part of the Arab peninsula.

The Game

Golf seems to be a continual struggle to obtain perfection. In an attempt to master this game one needs to know and practice the game. Each golfer’s swing is a unique combination of body type, physical stature and the individual’s personal mannerism. The basic framework of the golf swing is established at the outset of your golf career. As a result your swing motion from the top of the backswing through impact is set, and does not necessarily result in the accurate and smooth swing we all desire.

It took Nick Faldo over two years of constant work to completely overhaul his swing, a feat that required time, money, and above all, patience. Therefore, the key to enjoyable golf is acceptance of this fact and adopt a positive outlook to this great game. Do not become too discouraged because once you come to terms with your swing it is possible to make it work for you. Most swing problems encountered by the average golfer occur at the set-up or address position. Poor shots are the results of misalignment of the clubface, a swing path that is not square to the target line, but above it is the result in a lack of confidence in your swing motion. Clubface alignment and swing path are the two most important variables a golfer needs to comprehend.

Clubface alignment can be determined by hitting a dozen balls with your driver. The driver is used because of the low loft which will maximize the sidespin of the ball’s flight, demonstrating the results of a misaligned clubface. Shots that curve to the right indicate a clubface aiming right or open at impact. Conversely, shots that curve to the left result from a closed or left aimed clubface.

The direction of the clubhead during the swing can be ascertained by hitting a half a dozen 9 - irons or pitching wedges. The high loft of these clubs creates backspin which will counteract the sidespin, with the ball’s direction showing you the clubhead swing path. A left flying ball indicates an outside - to inside swing path of the clubhead at impact. Shots that start to the right result from an in - to out swing path.

If you can determine clubface alignment and swing path direction begin to experiment with setup position and your grip to enhance your unique swing

The key to a successful golf swing begins with the proper address position. Beginners and high handicap golfers must realize the importance of stance, balance and posture all the ingredients necessary for development of a good golf swing. Once the proper stance is achieved the beginner golfer can begin to improve and enhance their game. An important note to remember is that your swing is yours and yours alone therefore, the importance of a proper address position becomes paramount. Here is a drill that you can practice at the office, family-room, basically anywhere.