PORTLAND — Need your golf swing tuned up? How about some free golf or fun contests?

Then mark down this weekend’s 18th annual Portland Golf Expo.

While it’s been a mild winter in Maine, golf has still been a distant memory for the links faithful. That’s about to change in a month or so. One of the best ways to get ready is the annual Golf Expo at the Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland.

The Expo is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free parking is available in the hotel’s garage.

There will be clinics to help improve your game in several areas, various contests and an all-day raffle for prizes. Free rounds of golf have been offered before at the Portland Golf Expo, but not to this extent.

“We’re giving away close to $100,000 in free golf and merchandise,” said Scott Mayer, co-owner of the Portland Golf Expo.

Willowdale Golf Club in Scarborough and Point Sebago Resort in Casco are offering a combined 2,400 rounds of free golf. The early arrivals to the Expo will win two free rounds as both courses are offering free golf to the first 500 paid admissions through the door on Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. Willowdale will also offer free rounds to the first 500 patrons on Sunday and the first 200 through the door at noon both days.

Point Sebago will add to its free-round giveaway with the first 250 paid customers in the afternoon at noon Saturday and the first 250 people on Sunday at 9 a.m. The free golf offers are limited to one round each for an individual at both courses.

In addition, an admission ticket will bring a choice of a year’s subscription to either Golf Digest Magazine or Golf World.

Clinicians include Dr. John Hayes III, a Portland chiropractor, who will talk on how to alleviate back, hip, shoulder and elbow pain along with the proper warm-up through exercise and stretching. His clinics are 10 a.m. both days.

John Carey of Cleveland Golf will talk about gap fitting your clubs so your set covers all the yardages. He’ll also talk about playing the correct ball to optimize your scoring. His sessions are 11 a.m. both days.

Ron Bibeau, a PGA professional, will talk about the First Tee of Maine. His clinic times are 1 p.m. both days. The First Tee of Maine will be the beneficiary of the Golf Expo’s silent auction. Also, a percentage of proceeds from all the contests will help support First Tee programs.

The Golf Expo is accepting donations for the First Tee. They can be made via email at: info@portlandgolfexpo.com. Also, all juniors who are First Tee members are admitted free to the Golf Expo. They are asked to bring their bag tag or another proof of membership.

Other clinics are by PGA professionals Mayer and Jim Fairbanks. Mayer, a PGA teaching professional at Nonesuch River, will talk about the mental part of golf. His sessions are at 2 p.m. both days. Fairbanks, the 2010 Maine Senior PGA champion, will give a clinic on the scoring shots at 3 p.m. Saturday.

There will be putting and chipping contests on the Southwest Greens of Maine putting green. Other contests include long drive and closest to the pin on the indoor golf simulators and an electric putting challenge. Patrons will be able to buy a raffle at the door with a drawing every hour on the hour.

Joe and Leigh’s Discount Pro Shop will make its annual appearance where golfers can get bargains on brand name clubs.

The price of admission to the Portland Golf Expo is $10. Dollar discounted coupons toward the price of admission are available in this week’s Portland Press Herald and at: www.portlandgolfexpo.com.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at: tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH