The most incredible long drive!

I was standing on the tee block of the 2nd hole, reflecting on my woeful drive off the 1st tee block which managed to get past the women's tee but was truly awful. I guess I should've warmed up!

I slowed my back swing and connected beautifully with the ball as I unwound my torso and suddenly time seemed to slow in one of those moments that captured every leaf and blade of grass as my ball sailed straight over the bunker to within an 8 iron of the green - 320 metres!

I'm sure the gusty tail wind helped, but it was a magnificent moment for a golfer currently on a 25 handicap!

However, I can also thank my playing partner who helped tweak my swing which has cured my consistent slice. I also think playing Tiger Woods '10 on the Nintendo Wii with the new MotionPlus remote has helped improve my swing.

I had some other great drives that day, often between 240 & 260 metres - suddenly golf is a lot more fun!

How I hit my ball straight

I know it is strange that I'm not selling anything that tells you how to hit the ball straight!  But I'm happy to tell you what I've done & the difference it has made free!

Why?  Because I know what it feels like to continually slice the ball off the tee.  Many days I need the whole width of the fairway to plat my shot!

Today I hit more straight drives than I have hit ever - in any rounds of golf I have ever played anywhere.

I know you are wondering how...

I did 2 simple things:

1. Raised my tee higher - In case you're wondering I'm not highly co-ordinated but managed to connect most of the time.

2. Moved the tee forward - Level with the front of my lead foot.

Now I have no idea about the physics or why it worked.  I just know it worked for me.  I hope it works for you too!

Less is more - How I dropped 13 shots in 1 week

I was getting frustrated as my scores started creeping up again.

A week ago I shot 109 & yesterday shot 96.  I know you are wondering how I reduced my score by 13 shots...

I did 2 things:

1. I only had a 1/2 back swing (where my left arm was parallel with the ground - I'm right handed).

2 I slowed down my back swing.  

I dropped a number of shots by allowing for my slice and the ball ended up going straight!

Next time I will aim down the middle!

Full of anticipation

I was looking forward to showing my regular golfing partner my new golf swing & watch how impressed he would be at how straight I was hitting the ball.

Unfortunately my mojo wasn't working as well as I hoped.

There were times however when I felt I was hitting it better - generally when I rotated my right grip further around the club.

I need to get out to the driving range before my next round!

Finally a free golf tip to help me hit straighter

I wasn't sure what to make of Peter as he ambled over to me at a golf tournament in the weekend. He was a tidy golfer and I thought he was worth listening to. I found out later he had been a scratch golfer back in his day. Now he was enjoying his retirement.

He gave me a small tip that made a huge difference to my shots. They went straight!

Just as Peter shared the tip freely to me, I am happy to share it as I know how frustrating a slice can be.

The tip was to move my right hand (I am right handed) further round on my grip. It felt really uncomfortable & weird, but after a few hits is starting to feel natural.

I have a slow swing (rather than trying to smash the ball). I count "1, 1 thousand, 2, 1 thousand, through...). Swing back on 1, down on 2 & then through the ball.

Good luck!