NEW DELHI, Feb 9 - There is no need for the majestic Delhi Golf Club -- this week''s spectacular setting for the EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters -- to laud its own magnificence.
Some of the world''s best golfers, led by Ernie Els, did that for this historic club, which was built by the British in 1931 on land which was the burial ground of the 14th century Lodhi dynasty.
"I have great respect for this club. You have a wonderful golf course – an old fashioned course. You should be proud of it," the world number four said amid cheer from club members who turned out in a large number to attend his clinic held at the driving range.
"I have played a lot of courses around the world obviously and this course for some reason reminds me a little of South Africa. The vegetation and some of the trees are very similar to what we have in South Africa.
"The lay-out is very old style. You never play two holes which are similar and you never really see any other holes out there when you are playing which I like too," said Els, nick-named 'big easy' for his smooth swing.
"Keep it simple, when you play golf," he told the fans. "Don't try and scoop the ball, just swing through and the results will be great. Most of the newcomers to the game are too tense when addressing the ball.
"Just relax and visualize you shot before striking the ball," said Els who also talked about his warm-up and practice routines. "There is a difference between the two. My warm up routine is simple: I start with 54 degree sand wedge and gradually shift to longer clubs – odd numbers only 9, 7, 5…before getting the woods and drivers.
"I am also a bit superstitious. I only use white colour tees, I have been keeping a five-rand coin in my bag since 1995, it's lucky for me," said Els, who had a good chance to win in Dubai last week, but couldn't connect his three-wood sweetly when going for an eagle on the 72nd hole.
"I think I should have laid it up," said Els, who also demonstrated how to hit a fade and how to draw the ball," he said.
"Golf is a simple game. Keep it simple."
