Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
The rewards for the top players on the world's golf tours are massive. For the best players, professional golf has given them so much - a lifestyle that many of us can only dream of and the 'perfect' job in every aspiring golfer's eyes.
The vast majority of the players realise this and are never averse to giving something back or doing their bit for charities and the community.
There are many projects, both locally and internationally that are given a huge lift by the support of our elite golfers, but one of the biggest and most worthwhile campaigns, and one that is very close to our hearts here in Bahrain is Breast Cancer Awareness.
So it was quite a sight when almost the entire field came out in pink to support two charities - The Breast Cancer Campaign and Breakthrough Breast Cancer - at the Belfry for the second round of the British Masters Tournament.
Pink Friday was a remarkable day with the players, crowds and even the scoreboards coloured pink! Swedish golfer Johan Edfors even sported the brightest pink pair of shoes and golf bag that you could imagine!
The atmosphere was very relaxed and everyone enjoyed the day. The golf was superb - with a record three holes-in-one recorded on the day - but the biggest winners were the charities involved with such a high-profile event with household names participating giving them huge exposure.
The Irish golfer and a Ryder Cup hero for Europe on many occasions, Darren Clarke, was one of the players taking part who having lost his wife to the disease only two years ago is one of the greatest supporters of the event.
Let's hope that as Think Pink Bahrain launches its activities today to increase the awareness of the disease over here in Bahrain that we can all do our bit to help throughout this month and raise funds for this extremely worthwhile charity.
The Think Pink Golf Day is becoming bigger every year and is an event that we are proud to be associated with.
The event takes place this year on the October 27 at His Majesty's Course in Safriya - see you there!
The European Tour have been raising money for charities for years, and one of their current initiatives along with their statistics sponsors is a scheme called 'Putts for Charity'.
Putts For Charity is an innovative way to raise money for charity and in 2007 the initiative raised almost EUR100,000 (BD54,210) for charitable causes across Europe.
In 2008, Putts for Charity was re-launched at the PGA Championship in May with financial support provided this year by the Genworth Foundation.
In partnership with the Tour and GOLFAID, professionals were also encouraged to lend their support at the Putts For Charity putting green as well as on the course! Robert Karlsson, Nick Dougherty and Johan Edfors have all made a £1,000 'Putt for Charity' down at the public booth in addition to Ross Fisher's £5,000 one putt which launched this year's activity.
The Rainbow Trust and Save the Children are just two of the worthwhile charities that have benefited from the Putts for Charity initiative so far this year.
Driving ahead on the range
You should always start your set-up from the ground upwards. We will widen the stance to shoulder width apart but from the insides of the feet not the outside. This will give you a good solid base and will provide the balance you will need when making the driver swing.
The ball position should be played in the forward part of the stance, opposite the inside of the front heel. I like a higher ball flight so personally I tee the ball up a little further forward, more like opposite my front foot big toe.
The main reason why we tee the ball so far forward compared to say an 8 iron (ball position middle of your stance) is so that the ball will be hit with an upward sweeping motion creating optimum backspin that in turn creates a much straighter ball flight.
Make sure there is a slight flex in you knees whilst keeping your back straight. This will enable you to create a full shoulder turn, keeping the club on plane and build consistency.
When gripping the club watch that your normal grip doesn't become too strong. What I mean by this is, look to see how many knuckles you can see on the hand closest to the butt end of the club. If you can see three or more then you have a strong grip. This can introduce a hook or even a snap-hook into your game.
Starting the swing
Starting to instigate momentum, the hands, arms and club move away together as the weight starts to move onto the right side. When the club shaft reaches parallel, the hands and forearms should be in a relaxed state allowing the wrists to hinge.
The club will then swing upwards onto a good plane position. At this point your left arm will be parallel to the ground and the shaft of the club will be at around a 45 degree angle pointing to the sky.
A full turn of the upper body creates a coil against your lower half and hips. This completes the back swing.
The right knee should remain flexed and you should feel you are seating a little into your right hip with about 60 to 70 per cent weight on your right side.
The down swing
Your down swing should always be flowing. A good flowing swing is seen to gather speed as the momentum is reversed. The down swing will create the feeling that your lower body starts the down swing as you start to transfer the weight onto your left side. The angles created at the set-up are reflected at the moment of impact at terrific speed. After impact, your body will begin to open allowing the club to move correctly into the release. Your right foot will start to roll up onto its toes (see picture).
When the ball is on its way towards your target, the body continues to rotate all the way to the finish. The finish is a position of balance and control with your chest facing your target.
