Cumbre del Sol, Benitachell, Alicante -
Holiday Villas for Sale, Retirement Villas for Sale, Cumbres del Sol, Se
Vende Cumbre del Sol
SpainLifestyle.com
M a g a z i n e
INTERVIEW
WITH GOLF INSTRUCTOR: MICHEL MONNARD
by Karla
Darocas
Join
SpainLifestyle.com Group @
LinkedIn Visit
SpainLifestye.com
BLOG
Life in Spain is full of golf. If you are involved
in golf, then Spain is your paradise. I recently met Michel Monnard,
a golf instructor from Capdepera, Mallorca at the Golf School Michel
Monnard, who shared with me some of his handy golfing instructional
tipS - and a very funny golf story.
Q How
would you rate the golf courses in Spain? Have you golfed on most of
them?
A The top courses in Spain -
which I can relate to some of the top courses I have played - are in
fantastic condition. Golf is not new to Spain, the professional
staff at courses mostly know what they do. The difference between
the courses are just down to financial involvement of the owners.
The knowledge how to build great courses is certainly here.
Q What is
the funniest thing to happen to you on the course - while teaching?
A A client, early in the
morning on the first tee, did some harsh practice swings. I
encouraged him to do a few looseners, not "stiffeners". He looked at
me and was probably thinking, well I felt they where pretty soft.
Anyway, I showed him a few practice
swings in baseball style. He got that. Then I said, as an exception,
make 2 very nice practice swings next to the ball (we know that
practice swings are not allowed on the tee) and feel how soft the
hands are and how the clubs weight pulls on your hands through
centrifugal force.
Ok, he started the first practice
swing. I re-inforced..."feel them even softer". He did the second
practice swing and in the throughswing, that club flew back and over
him right into the bushes on the right side of the tee box.
He obviously could not believe it, as
he starting laughing out loud.
I needed to get the flag from the 17th green to get that club down
again.
Q Have
you taught anyone famous?
A Everyday I get famous people
coming in... for me, every person is a famous person! There is no
difference between a "famous" and a normal person. It does not
change. I usually never ask what peoples jobs and positions are.
Just recently, through my work with the Harold Swash Putting Schools
from England, I was able to eye-witness how Darren Clarke was
taught. (See slideshow).
Q Which
course would you recommend to a novice golfer? And which course
would you recommend to a pro?
A Actually, I teach on each of
those courses. Capdepera Golf (www.golfcapdepera.com)
is a great golf course for starters, as the first nine are more
flatish and straight, helping less experienced players to get warm.
The second nine then give some adrenaline with water being in play
on most of the holes 10 - 18. A nice course, relaxed atmosphere and
great staff taking care of you. Great restaurant by the way.
For the advanced players, Son Gual Golf (www.son-gual.com),
close to the Airport is probably the best and most fair test of golf
on the island. It challenges the golfer with leaving himself the
right position for the second shot and urges him to not land in the
wrong spot around the green. Tricky pin positions ask for high and
precise approach shots. Bunker placing on the fairways, make you
think what to hit of the tee. A great practice area makes the place
THE place to be if you want to play a great round and have an
enjoyable day of golf.
Q When is
the best time of the year to take lessons? When is the best time to
get good golfing tea times?
A I think the wintertime is a
great time. Less people here, makes you able to concentrate on
playing and practicing without stress. Also September is a fantastic
month. Still very warm sea, not that hot anymore. Or May is also
great. Usually the courses are in top condition around mid march to
end of June.
INTERVIEW
WITH GOLF INSTRUCTOR: MICHEL MONNARD
