Driving and Distance Control

This is my first post of 2013.....I know, I know, I've been really busy. Since I started my blog I have found out just how difficult it is to gain a regular following. This is, at most, down to my infrequent posting and also the content within my posts. This year I plan to be more productive in my attempts to start a community/following and I will post more regularly with not only my game progress but reviews, Tour news, challenges, Google+ Hangouts and lots more. I just hope people get involved that'll be great.
      
With the winter weather in the UK still up and down I have spent most of my practise time on the range so far. This is good for keeping my swing ticking over and working on my fundamentals but I can't wait to get out to the practise ground and start working on my short game and GRiP drills. Since before Christmas, I have managed to get out and play only a handful of rounds, most on winter tees and temporary greens. The rounds have been really good for the most part but for my 100yds in and short game. My accuracy has been really good, just my distance control needs work. I've been missing alot of greens long which as a result has been testing my chipping and pitching. I have been scouring the net watching lots of youtube clips and basically swotting up on techniques and drills to add to my practise sessions. I also picked up an absolute gem of a book on ibooks called "" A Swing For Life " by Sir Nick Faldo. I've read it through once and started it again recently, it's a must get.
     After much trialing and testing I settled on my new Driver for the season a Titleist 910 D2. WOW... talk about an improvement to accuracy and confidence, this stick done the trick. My fairways percentage immediately improved and I now pull the Driver with the added confidence of knowing my shape and starting target......This seasons going to be a good one I can feel it.
                                 " SEE IT, PLAY IT "

Pressurised Putting Practice

Autumn has arrived and with the 2012 season winding down I'm now putting all my effort into my practice.
The Ryder Cup showed everyone what really counts when it comes to shooting low scores and that is making good putts. Notice I didn't say holing good putts, obviously that's the ultimate goal, but the players on both teams displayed awesome lag putts as well as ridiculously long hole outs ( nice one Justin Rose ).
I recently downloaded Ping's putting app iPing and have had some much needed challenging fun with my time on the practice green ( see results page ). I found this style of practice is definitely for me as I need that competitive pressurised situation to really ingrain all the correct actions for success. I also came across a great program called GRiP ( which I'll talk more about in my next post ) as it deserves more detail.
Another great practice drill I've really started to get addicted to is the 9 Hole par 2 putting game ( thanks to "Never miss short putts" ). This game can be played alone or with friends and is ideal for confidence building. For those who don't know it :
Pick 9 holes of varying lengths,
Hole out in 1 for a birdie 2 for par,
Before taking your second putt you must move the ball back a putters length ( long putters are a hindrance rather than a help ). This is brilliant for ridding 3 putts from your game and plus while keeping score, there is always a goal to beat and pressure on every putt.
My best 9 to date is level par.......see how you get on and let me know what I have to beat ( be honest ha ha ) good luck post scores, pics, videos.