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!

The ball goes where you hit it

This came to me as an enormous revelation.  

Every time I hit my golf ball, it finishes wherever I have hit it to.  Even if it hits a tree or another object (provided someone doesn't interfere with it) it only lands where it does because of what I have (or haven't done).

Yes, I need to take into account the weather, the lie, the obstructions and everything else - but at the moment of impact, only I determine where it finishes.

It's time for me to stop blaming & start accepting responsibility for where my ball stops.

I shot a net 66

I was full of anticipation and could hardly sleep, thinking about the round I was about to play.  I stood on the first tee after some putts & warm up, ready for an amazing round.

The first hole was a forgettable double bogey.  The second was better - scoring 3 on a par 3 with a long putt that dropped after I chipped on my second shot.  After 9 holes I felt optimistic with 45.  The back 9 wasn't as good after losing a ball off the tee on along par 4, scoring 47 on the back 9.

I believe the difference in my game was my pre shot routine.

Club - make sure the club is aligned properly

Feet - set up correct

Grip - strong right grip

.. then the practice swing

Half - keep the left arm straight, swinging back so its parallel with the ground

Hold - pause at the top of the swing

Through - smooth swing through the ball towards the target

Although it seems like a lot to think about - its only 1 thing at a time & it seems to be starting to work!

Playing off a 23 handicap

My last scores have been: 103, 104, 95, 94, 97. Twice I have had a round of less than 90.

I have made a few changes that have helped my golf game:
1. Slowed down my swing. It now takes 3 seconds to go from starting my back swing to hitting the ball.
2. I have changed the ball position so it's not so far forward in my stance.
3. I limit my back swing to my left arm is parallel to the ground.
4. During the back swing, my left shoulder touches my chin. Through the swing my right shoulder hits my chin before I look up.