VISITORS to Flaxby Park Golf Club's newly-opened driving range will not even need to bend over to put their ball on a tee.

The new 23-bay facility is fully automatic, with balls dispensing themselves, and will provide golfers with the option of driving from a high, medium or low tee.

Floodlights mean the range will also be in use throughout the winter when the welcome luxury of heating will be provided in the bays.

Golfers tested the range for the first time at last Saturday's launch and it is now open for members and non-members.

Ball prices are £2 for 30, £3 for 50, £4 for 70 and £5 for 100.

Academy membership is also available at £25 a year, which ensures a 50p discount from each session and access to the new putting green, pitching area and four practice bunkers.

The range will be open every day of the week and teaching professional Guy Wills can also be booked for a lesson on 01423 862074.

Wills, who has worked at the Knaresborough course since its opening last July having previously coached in Germany, said: "I run single or group lessons and also organise short-game and putting schools. Basically I will tailor anything to anybody's needs."

The PGA professional is also heading the club's Young Masters Golf and Lady Masters Golf coaching programmes.

Flaxby has become one of just 600 clubs nationally to be granted YMG academy status.

The programme provides golf's first-ever educational syllabus and is aimed at developing the skills and knowledge of the game.

It is open to boys and girls aged between six and 16 and places as much emphasis on rules and etiquette as it does on playing.

The course consists of five levels (cadets, bronze, silver, gold and masters), each comprising eight weeks of one-hour lessons, and is marked by a series of skills and knowledge challenges.

A new YMG cadets programme will begin at the end of the month.

The LMG programme is designed to give female golfers a comprehensive introduction to the game but is open to both beginners and experienced players.

Coaching will again be provided by Wills in small group sessions and anybody interested in either programme should call him on the above number.

Updated: 10:45 Saturday, July 23, 2005