Sean Connery is one of many stars who have enlisted the help of coaches at the Knightsbridge Golf School (KGS) in order to learn the game. The Scottish actor did a crash course at KGS to prepare him for a scene as James Bond in the 1960s movie "Goldfinger."
Bond's favorite bunker —
Sean Connery is one of many stars who have enlisted the help of coaches at the Knightsbridge Golf School (KGS) in order to learn the game. The Scottish actor did a crash course at KGS to prepare him for a scene as James Bond in the 1960s movie "Goldfinger."
Chris Ware/Getty Images/file
The school was founded by pioneering swing coach Leslie King in 1951 and still teaches hundreds of people every year.
Going underground —
The school was founded by pioneering swing coach Leslie King in 1951 and still teaches hundreds of people every year.
Chris Murphy/CNN
One of KGS's biggest fans is golf fanatic Hugh Grant, who has spent many an hour honing his technique in Knightsbridge, and also took his dad along for lessons. In a testimonial on the KGS website, the star of "Bridget Jones' Diary" said: "We've both tried a number of other teachers over the years, but none have ever come close to achieving what you have. As they say in America -- you guys are the best."
Look Hugh's talking —
One of KGS's biggest fans is golf fanatic Hugh Grant, who has spent many an hour honing his technique in Knightsbridge, and also took his dad along for lessons. In a testimonial on the KGS website, the star of "Bridget Jones' Diary" said: "We've both tried a number of other teachers over the years, but none have ever come close to achieving what you have. As they say in America -- you guys are the best."
Matthew Lewis/Getty Images/file
King was a golf pro who broke the swing down into key parts and moved training indoors, away from the worst of the British elements. His method is still the one favored by KGS' Steve Gould and D.J. Wilkinson, via the odd tweak, and is still as effective in teaching the film stars of today as it was 50 years ago.<br />
King of the swing —
King was a golf pro who broke the swing down into key parts and moved training indoors, away from the worst of the British elements. His method is still the one favored by KGS' Steve Gould and D.J. Wilkinson, via the odd tweak, and is still as effective in teaching the film stars of today as it was 50 years ago.
Chris Murphy/CNN
Tucked away behind the bustling shopping streets of Knightsbridge in central London, KGS can be tricky to locate but it is a bunker every self-respecting golfer should be desperate to find.
Off the fairway —
Tucked away behind the bustling shopping streets of Knightsbridge in central London, KGS can be tricky to locate but it is a bunker every self-respecting golfer should be desperate to find.
Chris Murphy/CNN
The walls are adorned by a long list of stars who have swung a club in the basement of 47 Lowndes Square. Apart from Connery and Grant, fellow actors Christopher Lee, Telly Savalas and Kyle MacLachlan have all taken instruction at KGS as well as pop stars Adam Faith and Geri Halliwell, and Virgin boss Richard Branson.
Wall of fame —
The walls are adorned by a long list of stars who have swung a club in the basement of 47 Lowndes Square. Apart from Connery and Grant, fellow actors Christopher Lee, Telly Savalas and Kyle MacLachlan have all taken instruction at KGS as well as pop stars Adam Faith and Geri Halliwell, and Virgin boss Richard Branson.
Chris Murphy/CNN
Gould (right) and Wilkinson have both served over 35 years at KGS, passing King's principles on to today's modern golfers, with the help of new coaches Dave Lamplough and Phillip Talbot.
Join the club —
Gould (right) and Wilkinson have both served over 35 years at KGS, passing King's principles on to today's modern golfers, with the help of new coaches Dave Lamplough and Phillip Talbot.
Chris Murphy/CNN
Lee, whose filmography includes "The Man with the Golden Gun," "Dracula," "The Lord of the Rings" and the "Star Wars" prequels, was a regular visitor to KGS for over 20 years.
Lord of the Swings —
Lee, whose filmography includes "The Man with the Golden Gun," "Dracula," "The Lord of the Rings" and the "Star Wars" prequels, was a regular visitor to KGS for over 20 years.
Chris Murphy/CNN
As well as its teaching booths, KGS now offers golfers the chance to play world-famous courses such as Augusta National or St. Andrews on one of its simulators.
Virtual reality —
As well as its teaching booths, KGS now offers golfers the chance to play world-famous courses such as Augusta National or St. Andrews on one of its simulators.
Chris Murphy/CNN
Another new feature is a putting green for golfers to hone that vital part of the game that gave rise to the phrase "driving for show, putting for dough."
Putting for dough —
Another new feature is a putting green for golfers to hone that vital part of the game that gave rise to the phrase "driving for show, putting for dough."
Chris Murphy/CNN