IN a new monthly column, Forest Park golf professional Mark Winterburn teaches STEVE CARROLL a lesson.

GOLF pros face a few challenges in their careers.

Be it the ten-foot putt to win a regional championship, or the person who swings and misses after dozens of lessons, all line up to test the patience of the diligent club expert.

Mark Winterburn must have the patience of a saint. He has agreed to take up the Evening Press challenge - to make me a good club golfer.

I have been playing golf for nearly 20 years, but have never looked like challenging for club honours.

Two straight shots in a row is a triumph. My swing makes Jim Furyk's look like a thing of beauty. I am a 23-handicapper. Mark has to get me down to at least 15 - in only eight months.

So we have embarked on a series of matches and tutorials that could shape the rest of my golfing life, or break Mark's spirit forever.

We meet at Forest Park and the work begins immediately, with some resistance on my part. After just two minutes of careful study, he has identified a major swing fault. I stand too far away from the ball.

"You're crouched down like an old man," he says, mimicking an octogenarian, bent double with the club barely resting off the ground.

He makes me stand straighter, with the club standing more upright and with me closer to the ball. It feels so cramped, it's claustrophobic.

But the eight-iron I hit into the 14th green at Forest Park, a 140-odd yard Par 3, flies true and lands barely ten feet away from the flag. One up to Mark.

My first round trying out this new technique brings a surprise. On Forest Park's par 71 course, albeit off winter tees, I break 90 for the first time.

Now he's threatening to change my grip.

Mark's top tip: The grip

A SOUND grip is essential for good golf.

To achieve the ideal position, the left thumb should be placed down the right hand side of the golf club grip to create a V-shape between the thumb and first finger. (Picture on the left)

Lock the right hand on top, with the right thumb, passing over the left, this time resting on the left hand side of the grip.

There should be another V-shape between the thumb and the index finger of the right hand. (Picture on the right)

The V-shape on both left and right hand should be pointing in the direction of the chin and the right shoulder.

A good swing, with a bad grip, is the cause of most wayward shots from amateur golfers.

Updated: 10:36 Saturday, April 17, 2004