Golf News for Monday, March 30, 2009 | Media

Charles Barkley's head games on Golf Channel's The Haney Project

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The next episode of The Haney Project on Golf Channel is all about "head" games for Charles Barkley. Airing Monday at 9 p.m. ET, Charles will learn about keeping your head still during the golf swing, keeping your head about you when things go wrong, and keeping a-"head" of the negativity trying to creep into his game.

"In high school you da man, in college you da man, in the pros you da man. So, I look forward to being in those situations. But when you go to the golf course, it's very frustrating thinking that you have no idea what's going to happen when you get there," Barkley said.

The episode - titled Welcome to Arizona - starts with a visit to Charles' home in Scottsdale, and a workout at his home course, Gainey Ranch. Hank Haney and Golf Channel viewers will get the public's first look at Charles' home and backyard recreation area, which includes a swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts and a golf practice area, complete with sand bunkers and putting green. The teacher and student talk about Charles' love for the game.

Then, Charles works on his stretching with flexibility specialist Ann Frederick, something he says has been key in efforts to recapture his golf swing. When Charles and Hank head to the driving range, they are joined by former NFL stars Roy Green and Seth Joyner, and Gainey Ranch director of golf Jim Murphy - longtime friends and big-time jesters who also are on Charles' hit list.

"Nobel Peace Prize for Hank in physics," said Green, when he sees Charles' re-vamped swing. But things got worse before they got better when the group hit the golf course.

"He knows we want him to play good golf. Even if he gets back to the point where he's scoring in the high 90s - even in the 100s - just as long as he's hitting the ball and back out enjoying the game. That's what I want to see for him because I know how much he loves the game," said Joyner.

Back at the range, more than 500 balls await Charles. Hank's not done for the day yet. "I love the challenge. I can't wait until tomorrow. I'll figure out a way to get him going and get through to him. I don't have any doubt," he said.

The Haney Project follows the world's best golf instructor, Hank Haney, in his attempt to fix the world's ugliest swing. The seven-part series air Mondays at 9 p.m. ET, when Barkley allows cameras to chronicle a game gone south and follow Haney's efforts to improve a swing that has been laughed at by millions and ridiculed by his closest friends.

For more information, contact Dan Higgins, 407/355-4018 or dhiggins@golfchannel.com



 
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