Thimble
Sep 26, 2005, 02:16 PM
Thought I'd share a few details of my experience in entering an unofficial international long drive challenge...
It was held in Kingston, Jamaica. Countries represented: Canada, USA, Australia, Japan, Cayman Islands, and Jamaica.
It was a series of matches that "Iceman Golf (iceman.ca)" arranged and I was entered on the Japan team. We weren't a very strong team, but we were there to help create a stronger "international" presence.
Some of these hitters can really bomb it... the conditions were not ideal. No follow wind, the ground was wet from rain, and the "grid" was on a fairway that angled to the left. There was a downhill lie at about the 300 yard carry point, but too far left, and you were bound to bounce it into "OB".
We played several different competitions... A few teams got to play vs "The World", a selection of players from other teams. There was a Jamaica vs Cayman match. USA vs Canada. All men's, all women's, all seniors... And the grand finale was a team competition with all teams competing against each other. This last one was held at night under lights.
Lisa Vlooswyk (four-time Canadian Women's Long Drive Champion and of the main organisers) was edged out by Sally Dee (current champ) in most events... The Australians were the most rowdy and entertaining to watch... The Americans seemed very cool and confident... and were victorious. Longest drive of the event was held by one of the Americans at about 392 yards (though the Aussies had one guy at 388, and another at around 384). Most surprising was a 17 year old kid on the American team whipping his boney body around and hitting over 350 yards...
The Jamaicans did well, too... some hitting over the 350 mark...
One side note: that ridge at the 300 yard point made a big difference, i think... hence there were a lot of scores under 310, a lot over 325, and few in between...
Got a good tip from one of the competitors: power comes mostly from that "wrist turn" that AJ talks about... it's so fast with these guys, it basically turns into a powerful snap of the clubhead (not just shaft)...
We Japanese managed to eek out a 4th place finish in the finale, because a few of the competitors were drained after a long day, and the grid wasn't well lit. The Canadian and Cayman teams had a few "strike outs" - no balls in the grid = no yards.
All in all, a pretty decent time. My own personal highlight was finally breaking 300 yards at this competition (my second year at it). I was reminded again of how nerve wracking it is to swing a golf club with a gallery watching and tv crew taping every shot... the 40 yard wide grid felt like 40 feet!
I'm not sure when or how it'll be televised... I do hope you might try to catch me in it if it does come on (I'll be the one continously swearing under his breath).
No problem, mon...
It was held in Kingston, Jamaica. Countries represented: Canada, USA, Australia, Japan, Cayman Islands, and Jamaica.
It was a series of matches that "Iceman Golf (iceman.ca)" arranged and I was entered on the Japan team. We weren't a very strong team, but we were there to help create a stronger "international" presence.
Some of these hitters can really bomb it... the conditions were not ideal. No follow wind, the ground was wet from rain, and the "grid" was on a fairway that angled to the left. There was a downhill lie at about the 300 yard carry point, but too far left, and you were bound to bounce it into "OB".
We played several different competitions... A few teams got to play vs "The World", a selection of players from other teams. There was a Jamaica vs Cayman match. USA vs Canada. All men's, all women's, all seniors... And the grand finale was a team competition with all teams competing against each other. This last one was held at night under lights.
Lisa Vlooswyk (four-time Canadian Women's Long Drive Champion and of the main organisers) was edged out by Sally Dee (current champ) in most events... The Australians were the most rowdy and entertaining to watch... The Americans seemed very cool and confident... and were victorious. Longest drive of the event was held by one of the Americans at about 392 yards (though the Aussies had one guy at 388, and another at around 384). Most surprising was a 17 year old kid on the American team whipping his boney body around and hitting over 350 yards...
The Jamaicans did well, too... some hitting over the 350 mark...
One side note: that ridge at the 300 yard point made a big difference, i think... hence there were a lot of scores under 310, a lot over 325, and few in between...
Got a good tip from one of the competitors: power comes mostly from that "wrist turn" that AJ talks about... it's so fast with these guys, it basically turns into a powerful snap of the clubhead (not just shaft)...
We Japanese managed to eek out a 4th place finish in the finale, because a few of the competitors were drained after a long day, and the grid wasn't well lit. The Canadian and Cayman teams had a few "strike outs" - no balls in the grid = no yards.
All in all, a pretty decent time. My own personal highlight was finally breaking 300 yards at this competition (my second year at it). I was reminded again of how nerve wracking it is to swing a golf club with a gallery watching and tv crew taping every shot... the 40 yard wide grid felt like 40 feet!
I'm not sure when or how it'll be televised... I do hope you might try to catch me in it if it does come on (I'll be the one continously swearing under his breath).
No problem, mon...