Anyone into Long Driving?

BrianD3

Does anyone here participate in or know anything about Long Driving? I see there is a qualifier for the RE/MAX world champs in Portmarnock on 31st August. First of all, is this a spectator event? Are these qualifiers ultra serious business or can novices turn up and have a go (and likely make a show of themselves:))

Also the long drive website has profile of an Irish long driver from Arklow named William Hunt Tyrrell
http://www.longdrivers-eu.com/profile_hunt.php
Does anyone know him?

OilBeefHooked2

BrianD3 wrote: »

Does anyone here participate in or know anything about Long Driving? I see there is a qualifier for the RE/MAX world champs in Portmarnock on 31st August. First of all, is this a spectator event? Are these qualifiers ultra serious business or can novices turn up and have a go (and likely make a show of themselves:))

Also the long drive website has profile of an Irish long driver from Arklow named William Hunt Tyrrell
http://www.longdrivers-eu.com/profile_hunt.php
Does anyone know him?

Long drive in golf is the equivalent of drag racing in motorsport, it's all about the grunt and i'd say you'll be hard pressed to find many(if any) golfers who are interested in it, esp. with all the bloody repeat programs on setanta!

Par72

I'm interested in it. Wouldn't mind having a crack in the Irish qualifier myself.

Mister Sifter

Don't know about him, but Arklow Golf Course looks fantastic from the website... anyone played it?

Par72

Graeme1982 wrote: »

Don't know about him, but Arklow Golf Course looks fantastic from the website... anyone played it?

Yes it's a nice links course, fairly narrow and tight on the front but opens up on the back, I think it used to be 9 and they extended it to 18. The new 9 isn't as linksy as the old 9 . . . . but aren't you way off topic here

BrianD3

david-k wrote: »

Long drive in golf is the equivalent of drag racing in motorsport, it's all about the grunt and i'd say you'll be hard pressed to find many(if any) golfers who are interested in it, esp. with all the bloody repeat programs on setanta!

even if they won't admit it I would say that many golfers are interested - look how much bickering there is in this forum anytime the topic of driving distance comes up

OilBeefHooked2

BrianD3 wrote: »

even if they won't admit it I would say that many golfers are interested - look how much bickering there is in this forum anytime the topic of driving distance comes up

touche

Par72

Sure it's like the size of your manhood isn't it? Everyone knows the length of your "drive" doesn't really matter but you'd still like a "long one"

Mister Sifter

Par72 wrote: »

Sure it's like the size of your manhood isn't it? Everyone knows the length of your "drive" doesn't really matter but you'd still like a "long one"

Yeah, it's not all it's cracked up to be.

jampotjim

I'd love to have a crack at it... Be a bit of a laugh

clog

I know Willie Tyrrell well, he is not competing in the long drive anymore and is concentrating on his golf he is currentely off a 4 hcp. He was an Irish international athlete in the shot putt and hammer before he started long driving. You can't really tell from the photograph but he is a seriously big bloke.
In response to Brians original question if the system is the same as it used to be you can just turn up on the day and pay your money (last time we went it was about E10). You get 6 balls and you just try and smash them as far as possible up a grid about 50 yards wide. There are different categories for juniors, seniors women etc. Most people there were just normal golfers and there will be at least one person who will try and swing so hard they end up on their arse and completely miss the ball.

stockdam

I'll not be trying that....I'd probably wreck my back.

BrianD3

clog wrote: »

I know Willie Tyrrell well, he is not competing in the long drive anymore and is concentrating on his golf he is currentely off a 4 hcp. He was an Irish international athlete in the shot putt and hammer before he started long driving. You can't really tell from the photograph but he is a seriously big bloke.

Interesting that he was a thrower, I have often thought about how there could be a lot of carryover between throwing and long driving.

It does look like most of the long drivers are well over 6 foot tall and/or built like tanks. Many have a background in weightlifting or powerlifting. It goes to show that long hitting in golf is certainly not only about technique - brute strength, power, mass, height are major factors too.

Kimbot

I would go and give a try aswell if I can stop slicing!! If I hit them straight I can get them around the 300 mark now but I am only getting one dead straight in 25 which is a bummer!!

Par72

I emailed John Desmond (the irish contact) today to try and find out some more info and here is the reply I got ...

Hi, Thanks for your email.

We are running qualifiers up to August 31 - the dates along with the press releases in the national and local newspapers will be published shortly. I will of course send on the info once it is available via email or text.

You are of course welcome to hit from the teeing area in Portmarnock (for practice) whenever you wish as we are just finishing the ground work.

Hope that helps and call or email if you have any further questions.

Best wishes and good luck.

John Desmond

JCDUB

clog wrote: »

I Most people there were just normal golfers and there will be at least one person who will try and swing so hard they end up on their arse and completely miss the ball.

Hahahahaha that's it, I've decided, I have to see that...

Are you allowed run-ups a la Happy Gilmore??;)

Par72

So not long now until this. Anyone going to give it a lash?

ShriekingSheet

I would but it's during the electric picnic!

Truck

I'd giv it a go with my trustee 3 wood ! lol :P

Nah my drives wouldn be straight enough for this, i like the aul hook an slice

Mat the trasher

What distance would you need to be hitting to even consider entering?

BrianD3

I won't be entering but might pop along and see if I can watch the competitors in action. As for how long you'd need to be hitting it before considering entering I don't think it matters - see the earlier quote

Most people there were just normal golfers and there will be at least one person who will try and swing so hard they end up on their arse and completely miss the ball

Of course there is a differnce between entering and entering with a view to being competitive