<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Mark Smith Golf &#187; Driving Range</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/tag/driving-range/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision</link>
	<description>Information on services offered by Australian PGA member in Hong Kong, including coaching, schools, club-fitting, corporate hosting, and golf society.</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:29:28 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4</generator>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
			<item>
		<title>Precision Golf &#8211; Pro Shop &#8211; by Mark Smith</title>
		<link>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2010/01/precision-golf-pro-shop/</link>
		<comments>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2010/01/precision-golf-pro-shop/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:49:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Smith</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[PrecisionGolf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pro-Shop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[club fitting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[custom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Driving Range]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[golf clubs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[golf equipment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[golf instruction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hong kong]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mark smith golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nakashima]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nakashima golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[precision golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SCAA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Studio]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/?p=571</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/pg3.jpg"><img src="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/pg3-150x150.jpg" alt="Precsion Golf Pro SHop Hong Kong" title="Precsion Golf Pro SHop Hong Kong" width="150" height="150" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-603" /></a>Situated in the heart of Hong Kong Island, Precision Golf Pro-Shop offers members and Visitors of the South China Athletic Association Golf Driving Range a full range of professional golf services  including custom club fitting using the world renowned Nakashima Golf Studio fitting method, club repair and refurbishment as well as the sale of golf training aids and accessories and of course golf instruction. Precision Golf is putting the Pro back in the name Pro-Shop with the only solely owned Golf Professional Pro- Shop in Hong Kong. Come and find out how we can help you to reach your golfing goals.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Situated in the heart of Hong Kong Island, Precision Golf Pro-Shop offers members and Visitors of the South China Athletic Association Golf Driving Range a full range of professional golf services  including custom club fitting using the world renowned Nakashima Golf Studio fitting method, club repair and refurbishment as well as the sale of golf training aids and accessories and of course golf instruction. Precision Golf is putting the Pro back in the name Pro-Shop with the only solely owned Golf Professional Pro- Shop in Hong Kong. </p>
<p>Come and find out how we can help you to reach your golfing goals and take advantage of our Special Offer of free golf club evaluation and launch monitor assessment (HK$500 value) to find out if you are<br />
getting the most out of your equipment and your game.</p>
<p>We&#8217;re open 4-11pm daily</p>
<p>Our Address:</p>
<p>Golf-Pro Shop<br />
South China Athletic Association<br />
88 Caroline Hill Rd<br />
Causeway Bay<br />
Hong Kong</p>
<p>Tel:   (852) 2882 6878</p>
<p>Email: <a href="mailto:mark@precisiongolf.hk">mark@precisiongolf.hk</a></p>
<p>Website: www.precisiongolf.hk </p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2010/01/precision-golf-pro-shop/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The lesson before your first golf lesson</title>
		<link>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2009/10/the-lesson-before-your-first-golf-lesson/</link>
		<comments>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2009/10/the-lesson-before-your-first-golf-lesson/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:45:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Smith</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Driving Range]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[golf coach]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[golf instruction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[golf instructor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[golf lessons]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[learning golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mark smith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mark smith golf]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/?p=271</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/gc1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-289" title="gc0" src="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/gc1-150x150.jpg" alt="gc0" width="150" height="150" /></a>So you’ve just picked up golf and thinking of finding an instructor and facility to try your hand. There are a number of considerations you must make before booking your first lesson. 

Firstly you must know that Hong Kong is not the exactly the easiest place in the world to take up the game, however if you don’t mind to travel about a bit then you’ll be fine.

Read on...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>So you’ve just picked up golf and thinking of finding an instructor and facility to try your hand. There are a number of considerations you must make before booking your first lesson.</p>
<p>Firstly you must know that Hong Kong is not the exactly the easiest place in the world to take up the game, however if you don’t mind to travel about a bit then you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Hong Kong has from my calculations 198 golf holes which is equivalent to 11 x 18 hole golf courses which is spread over 4 Golf Clubs and two public courses. There are I believe nine driving ranges and a handful of indoor facilities.</p>
<p>As a coach of now 10 years in Hong Kong I see a common trend amongst new golfers. Most pick up the game as an interest from family and friends and go headfirst into the deep end without considering the complexities that the game presents. Below I have outlined each consideration for you to see if golf weighs up to be the game for you.</p>
<p><strong>Time</strong> &#8211; First consider how much time you have to devote to learning and self practice time.</p>
<p>Like in any learning process, at the beginning you will be required to put in more time so as to cement the new found skills and of course a big part of this is constant repetition of your swing motion and short games. Realistically you’ll need a minimum of 1 hour of instruction each week and at least 1-2 hours of self practice. I do however recommend that if you can afford it is better to practice with your instructor in the first few weeks.<br />
Expect a minimum of 6 hours of instruction before being ready to tackle the golf course maybe more if the instruction is in group form or if you are not athletically gifted.</p>
<p><strong>Budget </strong> &#8211; How much money are you willing to invest in your golfing future?</p>
<p>Let’s face it golf can be an expensive experience, particularly if you pick up and drop off.<br />
It is worth investing your money wisely. The obvious safest surest way to get started is to take some group instruction or get a friend to teach you. Take this step if you’re prepared for blisters, aching muscles and frustration. That is unless you get your kicks out of looking kind of weird at the driving range.</p>
<p>Understand that new golfers paying smaller amounts of instruction fees usually get the lesser experience instructors. In my opinion this often presents the reason that many pick up the game and leave it ‘cause it seems too difficult. A good or great instructor is worth his or her weight in gold when it comes to learning a skill. Yes you’ll pay more and in most cases you will get more.</p>
<p>Learning in a group can be less intimidating and can also be fun so don’t rule out this option if it fits your bill.</p>
<p>Remember also that you will be required to purchase some of your own equipment at some stage which will happen before you head for the golf course. Your instructor should provide equipment for training and if he understands the importance of equipment should recommend you to customize a small number of clubs for you start out with that can be added to when you take the game more seriously</p>
<p><strong>Do your homework</strong> &#8211; Finding the right instructor for you is a very key step in determining your golfing fate. Hong Kong houses an abundance of instructors. In fact it seems every man and his dog is taking a career change in teaching golf. There are also a multitude of Golf Instructor organizations and associations such as PGA, GTF, PGTA USGTF. I think you can get a certificate for most of these on the back of the Corn Flakes packet or even in PDF form from the internet. In general the instructors with a PGA after their name are the most qualified individuals apart from a few countries in the Asian Pacific whom I think also place their certificates in the cereal box. (Just kidding) don’t mean to offend anyone.<br />
Some of the GTF types of organizations do offer a fairly detailed training program for their members in the field of instruction however do not necessarily require their members to possess a high playing standard. In saying that, some of the best and most renowned instructors in the world are not the good at playing the game. Well I’m not exactly on my game these days I might add.</p>
<p>Ask around friends or friends of friends whom play golf to a descent standard and whom know the industry to find out who the reputable instructors are. Or otherwise just hire me – I’ll sort you out!</p>
<p><strong>Logistics</strong> &#8211; In general most golfers prefer to practice and take instruction somewhere within the vicinity of their work or residence. From a time factor this works best. If you do have the luxury of having time on your hands some of the less metropolitan golfing facilities house more comprehensive golf practice, training and playing facilities. I good instructor will surely take advantage of such facilities and advise you as to when you should visit such establishments and in what frequency of visit</p>
<p><strong>Set realistic achievable measurable objectives for yourself</strong> &#8211; Playing golf requires quite a level of skill, certainly a level of patience and much persistence.</p>
<p>I wish you well in your quest and should you have any questions please post them below or contact me personally by phone or email.</p>
<p>Mark Smith<br />
Australian PGA<br />
Hong Kong PGA<br />
Nakashima Golf Certified Master Club Fitter</p>
<p>Tel: 97750347 Email: mark@marksmithgolf.com</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2009/10/the-lesson-before-your-first-golf-lesson/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Kowloon Tong Primary School now offering golf</title>
		<link>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2009/10/kowloon-tong-primary-school-now-offering-golf/</link>
		<comments>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2009/10/kowloon-tong-primary-school-now-offering-golf/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:41:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Smith</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Driving Range]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[golf instruction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[junior golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kowloon Tong Primary School]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mark smith golf]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/?p=263</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-52" title="ms" src="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/P1000299-150x150.jpg" alt="Kowloon Tong Primary Golf" width="150" height="150" />Since the emergence of the young Tiger woods, the game of golf has changed from a rich peoples game the elderly play wearing funny clothes to a funky fresh faced sport for the young and of course all the way to the elderly.  Golf worldwide is changing. Is it for the good or for the bad?

For the good of course. Junior Golf in Hong Kong is growing stronger and stronger and given the recent results from our juniors playing internationally, Hong Kong may well one day produce its own Tiger.
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/P1000299.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-257" title="Kowloon Tong Primary Golf" src="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/P1000299-300x225.jpg" alt="Kowloon Tong Primary Golf" width="300" height="225" /></a><a href="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/P1000284.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-258" title="Kowloon Tong Primary Golf 1" src="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/P1000284-300x225.jpg" alt="Kowloon Tong Primary Golf 1" width="300" height="225" /></a><a href="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/P1000285.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-259" title="Kowloon Tong Primary 2" src="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/P1000285-300x225.jpg" alt="Kowloon Tong Primary 2" width="300" height="225" /></a><a href="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/P1000295.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-261" title="Kowloon Tong Primary Golf 4" src="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/P1000295-300x225.jpg" alt="Kowloon Tong Primary Golf 4" width="300" height="225" /></a><a href="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/P1000298.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-262" title="Kowloon Tong Primary Golf 5" src="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/P1000298-300x225.jpg" alt="Kowloon Tong Primary Golf 5" width="300" height="225" /></a>Since the emergence of the young Tiger woods, the game of golf has changed from a rich peoples game the elderly play wearing funny clothes to a funky fresh faced sport for the young and of course all the way to the elderly. Golf worldwide is changing. Is it for the good or for the bad?</p>
<p>For the good of course. Junior Golf in Hong Kong is growing stronger and stronger and given the recent results from our juniors playing internationally, Hong Kong may well one day produce its own Tiger.</p>
<p>Perhaps the next Tiger, a China Tiger can come from the Kowloon Tong Primary School.<br />
Kowloon Tong Primary School has joined an elusive list of schools offering golf to its students.</p>
<p>I am proud to be involved in the launch of the new junior golf program for the school. I have the added interest of my two eldest sons studying at KTS however do not qualify yet as the program is offered to Primary 4 to Primary 6 students.</p>
<p>Classes are held at the Chueng Sha Wan Golf Driving Range in Kowloon on Friday afternoon. The program lasts 14 weeks and will provide the 10 KTS students with the skills, knowledge and etiquette necessary to go out and play competently on course.</p>
<p>Our goal is to create a golf community within the school and encourage participation in family golf days and friendly in-school competitions.</p>
<p>Our inaugural class was held last Friday with great success.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2009/10/kowloon-tong-primary-school-now-offering-golf/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>SCAA Golf Driving Range re-opened</title>
		<link>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2009/09/scaa-driving-range-to-re-open-1st-ocotber/</link>
		<comments>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2009/09/scaa-driving-range-to-re-open-1st-ocotber/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:24:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Smith</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Driving Range]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SCAA]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/?p=147</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The South China Athletic Association Golf Driving Range re-opened  this week more than two weeks after a typhoon ripped down the right hand side net structure.
A temporary net has been errected and a new structure will be built behind it. The construction is expected to take two months.
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The South China Athletic Association Golf Driving Range re-opened  this week more than two weeks after a typhoon ripped down the right hand side net structure.</p>
<p>A temporary net has been errected and a new structure will be built behind it. The construction is expected to take two months.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2009/09/scaa-driving-range-to-re-open-1st-ocotber/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Damage to net forces SCAA Driving Range closure</title>
		<link>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2009/09/damage-to-net-forces-range-closure/</link>
		<comments>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2009/09/damage-to-net-forces-range-closure/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:43:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Smith</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Driving Range]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SCAA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Whitehead]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/?p=77</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-78" title="IMAGE_228" src="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/IMAGE_228.jpg" alt="SCAA Driving range closed to to damage from typhoon" width="150" height="150" />16th September '09 - SCAA management announced today that the golf driving range will be closed until further notice due to damage to the net from yesterday's typhoon.

During this period lessons will continue inside my Nakashima Golf Studio on the 1st floor of the driving range.  My launch monitor provides ample feedback of ball flight data and clubhead data such as swing path, launch angle, ball spin rate and so on. The launch monitor also simulates ball flight and together with my computerized V1 swing analysis software we should be using a more scientific approach to our lessons.
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>SCAA management announced today that the golf driving range will be closed until further notice due to damage to the net from yesterday&#8217;s typhoon.</p>
<p>During this period lessons will continue inside my Nakashima Golf Studio on the 1st floor of the driving range.  My launch monitor provides ample feedback of ball flight data and clubhead data such as swing path, launch angle, ball spin rate and so on. The launch monitor also simulates ball flight and together with my computerized V1 swing analysis software we should be using a more scientific approach to our lessons.</p>
<p>Should you prefer to partake in range lessons, please remember that I am also available for lessons at Whitehead Driving Range in Ma On Shan.</p>
<p>The Whitehead range houses a very comprehensive grassed short game area which also provides a great opportunity for us to brush up on some short game skills.</p>
<p>If you wish to make a booking at Whitehead please contact me directly by phone or email as I do not offer an online booking system for this location.</p>
<p>I appreciate your understanding and apologize for the inconvenience caused.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2009/09/damage-to-net-forces-range-closure/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>New 2009! NP5 Tour Forged Irons</title>
		<link>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2009/09/new-2009-np5-tour-forged-irons/</link>
		<comments>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2009/09/new-2009-np5-tour-forged-irons/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:55:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Steve Tran</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Pro-Shop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[club fitting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Driving Range]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[golf shaft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nakashima]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nakashima golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[precision golf]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/?p=494</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
The new 2009 NP5 Tour Forged irons are the most solid, easiest to hit forged irons ever made!
Features:
• Huge Cavity for maximum forgiveness
• Wide Sole Width for easy playability from all types of lies
• 1020 Carbon Steel for the ultimate feel in golf
• CNC Milled U Grooves produce the ideal spin rate for maximum playability [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="entry-photo"><a rel="lightbox" href="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/023.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-415" style="border:1px solid #CCCCCC; margin:2px; padding:5px;" title="NP5 Tour Forged" src="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/023-150x150.jpg" alt="NP5 Tour Forged" width="150" height="150" /></a></div>
<p>The new 2009 NP5 Tour Forged irons are the most solid, easiest to hit forged irons ever made!</p>
<p>Features:<br />
• Huge Cavity for maximum forgiveness<br />
• Wide Sole Width for easy playability from all types of lies<br />
• 1020 Carbon Steel for the ultimate feel in golf<br />
• CNC Milled U Grooves produce the ideal spin rate for maximum playability in all conditions<br />
• Available in durable double nickel chrome plated mirror finish<br />
• Loft/Lie can be easily adjusted +/-4 degrees<br />
• RH 4-Pw</p>
<p><a href="http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2009/09/nakashima-irons/">Click here to View Nakashima Tour Forged Irons Range</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.marksmithgolf.com/precision/2009/09/new-2009-np5-tour-forged-irons/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
