Golf Channel's PLAYING LESSONS Returns Tomorrow, 4/16

Playing Lessons, one of Golf Channel's longest running instruction franchises, returns for a new season on Tuesday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET, featuring many of the world's top players joining new host Holly Sonders for a practice round of golf, allowing viewers to eavesdrop on discussions on course management, strategy, drills and tips for viewers.

The new season kicks off with Ryder Cup veteran Ian Poulter joining Sonders at Orlando's Lake Nona Golf and Country Club, offering his secrets to successfully navigating around the green. The show also will focus on his practice routine on the putting greens that have Made him one of the greatest putters under pressure during match-play competition. Future shows will feature the likes of LPGA star Natalie Gulbis, 18-year old LPGA sensation Lexi Thompson; U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell, PGA TOUR star Rickie Fowler and two-time Big Break alumnus and PGA TOUR winner Tommy "Two Gloves" Gainey. The professionals will offer tips and instruction from tee-to-green, including candid discussions with Sonders about their careers on and off the golf course.

"I am excited to host Playing Lessons and walk the fairways with the game's best players to get insight on practice routines from tee-to-green," said Sonders, co-host for Morning Drive and School of Golf and also featured as the cover story in the May issue of Golf Digest. "The hands-on instruction on the golf course is what Made this series so popular with our viewers over the years. I look forward to continuing that tradition, along with showing a down-to-earth side of The Players that viewers often don't see on television."

Taking place at top venues such as Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Medalist Golf Club, South Shore Golf Club at Lake Las Vegas and Trump International Golf Club, the new season of Playing Lessons will feature 12 episodes.

2013 Playing Lessons Episode Schedule
Tuesday, April 16: Ian Poulter (Premiere)
Course: Lake Nona Golf and Country Club, Orlando, Fla.

In the season premiere, host Holly Sonders joins Ian Poulter on the golf course to discover his secrets on the short grass and why he is considered to be one of the greatest match-play putters in The Game today. Poulter also offers tips off the tee, playing in the wind and gives fashion advice.

Tuesday, April 23: Natalie Gulbis
Course: South Shore Golf Club at Lake Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nev.
Major champion Natalie Gulbis shares her secrets to the short game, how she prepares for a round of golf and how she has Built a swing that has lasted 10-plus years on the LPGA Tour.

Tuesday, April 30: Rickie Fowler
Course: Medalist Golf Club, Hobe Sound, Fla.
Rickie Fowler welcomes host Holly Sonders at his home course in Florida, where he shares driving tips, how to repeat a smooth swing and how he is able to pull off some of the hardest shots in golf.

Tuesday, May 14: Graeme McDowell
Course: Lake Nona Golf and Country Club, Orlando, Fla.
U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell joins Sonders from his home course in Orlando, Fla. McDowell shares with Sonders practice routines that have helped him win a major championship and his short game improvements that he has Made over the years.

Tuesday, May 21: Tommy Gainey
Course: Firerock Country Club, Fountain Hills, Ariz.
Tommy Gainey has one of the most original and unorthodox swings on the PGA TOUR. Gainey shares with Sonders insight into his golf swing that has vaulted him from a Big Break champion to Web.com Tour winner to a full-time PGA TOUR member and 2012 McGladrey Classic victor.

TBD Date: Lexi Thompson
Course: Trump International Golf Club, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Lexi Thompson, one of the youngest players to win on the LPGA Tour, shares the secrets to her meteoric rise, career aspirations and her hopes of one day becoming a Hall of Famer. She shares with Sonders her secrets off the tee, including how to control her driver, easily one of the longest on the LPGA Tour. She also discusses her life off the course, including why she turned pro at 16 and how her tight-knit family has helped her throughout her career.

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