For example, on a par 4, 400-yard hole, the first shot, known as the “tee shot” should take the ball from the tee to the fairway. The second shot, the “approach”, should land the ball onto the putting green. The remaining two shots are played on the putting green to bring the ball into the hole. “You drive for show but you putt for dough,” goes the saying that explains the importance of good putting skills. Putting is about direction and distance: you need to make sure that you aim correctly and with adequate strength. We first threw three balls by hand to get a feel for it, and then tried with the club held with one hand only, which lacked precision. Then we learned how to hold the grip properly with two hands, and how to position our feet, our eyes, and the face of the club in relation to the ball. We were told to read the green: the practice goes slightly downhill from right to left, and so our line must compensate for the incline. Then we had to test the speed of the green to adjust the strength of our shots. I placed all three first shots within a couple of feet of the hole but still managed to miss the second shots. “Timing, concentration, control!” were Magdy’s operative words, and they were repeated often. In the end, we played a small game of four holes with two balls each, lowest score wins. I lost by one point behind the pro and my fellow initiate Zaid Ayoub, both of whom scored eight points. I felt better about it when I learned that the latter was already an amateur of the sport who called himself an “average golfer” with a handicap of 18. He had come from Jordan for the purpose of playing golf and attended the session as an introduction to the local course. His daughter, seven-year-old Maya Ayoub, also took part in the initiation and was allowed to wander off and do her own thing on the putting green when the theory got too involved. I had looked forward to whack the stuffing out of some golf balls, but it turns out a finer touch is required. Putting—and, apparently, golfing in general—is all about patience, concentration, and attention to detail. The next steps toward becoming a full-fledged golfer are to train with a pro on the driving range, on the short game area, and on the practice putting green. One can get through the basics in about six hours, or book a full beginners’ package of 24 hours that includes training on the practice facilities and playing nine holes six times with a pro. That should bring novices to a level that allows them to play alone on the course with occasional pro supervision and entitle them to an official handicap recognized by other golf clubs. Golf introductory experiences are held on Wednesdays at 4:30 pm in the summer and 3:30 pm in the winter, free of charge. Advance booking is not necessary. For more information call +2 069 358 0073 or contact golf@ tabaheights.com. Visit the golf resort online at www.tabaheights. com/golf. 8 <strong>Taba</strong> <strong>Heights</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>
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