New ‘Haney Project’ Picks Charles Barkley  For Unscripted, GOLF CHANNEL Series

ORLANDO, Fla. – He’s outrageous and sometimes larger than life, but Charles Barkley is humbled by a game he so loves – and one that isn’t loving him back.

In the first installment of a new, real-life television series, The Haney Project, one of the world’s best golf instructors, Hank Haney, will attempt to fix one of the world’s ugliest swings.  The seven-part series will premiere March 2 at 9 p.m. ET on GOLF CHANNEL.  That’s when Barkley will allow cameras to chronicle a game gone south and follow Haney’s efforts to improve Barkley’s swing that has been laughed at by millions and ridiculed by his closest friends.

“You have to swallow a lot of pride doing something like this show,” says Barkley when describing his determination to resurrect his game.  “It’s been interesting to let this side of me out there and I’m really the only one with anything to lose.  But, the fact of it is, I’ve got nothing left to lose.”

He seems to have an opinion about everything, but Barkley is at a loss for words about his golf game.  The NBA Hall-of-Famer who used to enjoy playing golf every day – and, reportedly, was a pretty good player – has virtually given up the game.  But say what you will about the man, he’s willing to expose a swing that has been called a “speech impediment” to a national television audience if it will help him enjoy the game again.

Haney is the current swing coach to, arguably, golf’s best player ever, Tiger Woods.  His resume lists more than 200 golf professionals who have benefitted from his teachings, and he also has worked with the likes of Masters and British Open champion Mark O’Meara.  He calls this Herculean task one of the biggest challenges of his career.

“Charles’ swing is so recognizable, but for all the wrong reasons,” said Haney.  “He’s a great athlete and extremely dedicated to working hard to get better.  But I’ve taught more than 50,000 golf lessons, and this will be the biggest project.”

The Haney Project promises to be outrageous, funny and chock full of great golf tips for people who play the game.  While golfers benefit from expert instruction from Haney, Barkley will entertain with his larger-than-life personality.  The series will visit some of the best golf courses around the country, while following Barkley on various travels as he encounters fans and other celebrities along the way – and, of course, his golf game always comes up in conversation.

The Haney Project is produced by GOLF CHANNEL in conjunction with The WorkShop, LLC, an independent multi-media production company based in Bryn Mawr, Penn.