Big Don

I have pulled an intercostal muscle (a muscle lying between the ribs). Anybody got any tips on streches or rehabilitation exercises? Can take 4-6 weeks to settle down and I'd like to accelerate that process through physiotherapy.

Slicing is caused by hitting the ball with an open club face and is exacerbated by an "out to in" swing path. If the ball initially heads left and then curls to the right (a pull-hook) then you have a swing path and open club face problem. A possible cure to this problem is to check your grip, which might be too weak, and practicing an "in to out" swing path which should sort the pull. If the ball goes initially straight but curls right (a straightforward slice) then the primary problem is an open club face at contact. Again check your grip which may be too weak.

According to her bio she was a teaching pro and master clubfitter. Can't really imagine little Stina in the workshop fitting clubs doesn't look like the type at all.

2 Hybrid will give you a comparable distance to a 5 wood, maybe a little longer. Shouldn't you be taking the 5 wood out of your bag instead?

I had a similar problem and ended up with an out to in swing path resulting in pulled shots to the left for a while. One range drill I found useful was to place a second golf ball 18 inches directly behind the one I was about to hit. This stopped me coming over the top and forced me to swing on an in to out swing path and cured my pull very quickly.

Walking is best. Breath in the fresh air take in the countryside notice the wildlife, "tune out" all the problems of life for a few hours. That's really the whole point as far as I'm concerned.

Anybody seen any funny episodes where people were caught cheating? One guy who went to my employer's golf outing apparently dropped a golf ball down his trouser leg during the afternoon round.

In the past I have primarily used an interlocking grip. However, I have been experimenting with different grips during the last few weeks and have found that the so called "baseball grip" enables me to release the club more consistently giving a better contact with the golf ball. This has enabled me to hit the ball longer without any extra effort. Anybody else had similar experiences?

I do hit of mats and it did occur to me that it might make a bit of a difference. The mats are quite soft mind you. I don't generally take a deep divot on the course and tend to sweep balls of the turf. Lots of good advice here, thanks guys.

That's a great tip. Thanks for that.

I'm getting increasingly frustrated with my iron play. I can hit ball after ball straight down the middle on the range. I can usually hit 10-15 good shots between each "duffer" once I get tuned in. I'm also reasonably accurate and consistent in terms of hitting the target pins on the range. However, my problem comes when I hit the course. All of the range consistency disappears. Maybe its the changing ground conditions between shots or the fact that you don't get the chance to become grooved with a particular club. Maybe I get tense addressing the ball. Either way its driving me nuts. Any tips out there to improve consistency with irons?

I just checked out Bandon Dunes online and it looks awesome. A little piece of Scotland in Oregon? If this is your cup of tea you should make your way to Scotland where there are plenty more courses like this. Only a 6 hour flight from North East USA.

Oh should have mentioned, as well as my long drives, I also regularly serve aces like Pete Sampras when I'm on the Tennis Court. Must sign off my nurse has just arrived to administer my medication and lock me in for the night.

Probably the same guy that invented cricket invented baseball. Only he decided to make cricket slower and let games roll on for days so that the result could be decided by bad weather rather than play.

Football (Soccer to Americans) is most definitely on the rise in the USA. Consider the following observations:- Football has more high school and college age particpants than any other sport in America. This will lead to a growing fan base for football in the future. At the grass roots level facilities and coaching are excellent. This is producing excellent American players. There are now a large number of "home grown" American players playing in the best leagues for the best teams in Europe. On my last visit stateside (July 2006) I was surprised at the quality, and quantity, of the world cup coverage on TV. In fact coverage was outstanding on the whole and was at least as good as that provided by the european TV networks. This must reflect the increasing interest in the game? The MLS has improved out of all recognition; There are lots of high quality games now. European scouts are increasingly visiting America to recruit players. The American national side is competitive and at its best is capable of beating virtually any international team. This all adds up to an enormous amount of inertia pushing football forward. The over 30s will never be converted to football, but its rise in popularity amongst the young will inevitably secure its future in America.

I'm going to get pelters for this post. American Football = Predictable "Team Sumo" played by steroid monsters Football = Athletic, sometimes breathtaking, beautiful world game.

But can the average amateur hit it much further? According to the article below the average amateur driving distance has only improved about 12 yards since 1993. With amateurs driving 203 yards on average I don't think to many people will be worrying about playing a 1000 yard Par 4 too soon. For the most part new technology has helped make the game easier for amateurs rather than dramatically improving their length (a modern driver is much easier to hit than an old Persimmon?) The improvement of professionals drives has as much to do with better preparation, better conditioning and better technique as it does better technology. Do any of the golfers from 15 years ago compare to Tiger Woods in terms of tchnique and conditioning? I'd also debate whether many of the claimed technology improvements really deliver that much in terms of improved play. For the most part they are really gimmicks cooked up by marketing men to convince us to part with yet more cash for another new driver. http://www.golfdigest.com/search/ind...rowinggap.html

Norman had a substantial stake in Cobra and sold for $40M. His clothing line was sold to Macgregor in exchange for an interest in the company.

My favourite pro golfer is Sam Torrance. He personifies the best characteristics of the Scots, guts, determination and sportsmanship. His winning putt at the Ryder Cup in 85 took nerves of steel. Also a guy who enjoyed the odd pint of beer.

Its not that bad in "Blighty" over the winter. I lived in Canada for a while and there was snow on the ground from December through March. A bit of winter wind and light rain adds to the challenge?

The media have been trying to build up a number of guys in an attempt to create a rivalry with Woods. Sergio isn't in that league, but neither is anybody else. Woods stands alone, a giant amongst golfers.

Sergio may well be big headed and cocky, but at least his attitude is backed up by a terrific golf game as witnessed at the recent Ryder cup where won 4 out of 5 point for Europe. As I remember quite a few cocky egos got squashed at the K Club during September.

How far do you carry a drive on average?

Tom Lehman..........I think your being a little unfair. The way he handled defeat at this years Ryder Cup was exceptional. Even though the defeat must have been hard on him personally, he acted graciously and behaved like a true sportsman. Tom behaved like a true gentleman and set an example that very many atheletes could learn from.

Is it just me or is anybody else amazed at the exaggerated carry distances claimed on forums? I am amazed the extent to which golfers grossly exaggerate the carry distance of their drives and iron shots. Like everybody else who boasts about their carry distances, I can carry a drive 290 yards (nawww!!!!! real distance - 235 yards) and an easy swing on my 7 iron usually carries to about 180 yards (nawww!!!! real distance - 145 yards). If I was able to consistently drive 290 yards I'd be hitting the ball as far as Paul Lawrie the 1999 Open Champion or Sergio Garcia. Obviously I don't and I doubt that the majority of the "fantasy merchants" who claim these distances do either. Anybody else got an opinion on this?