Colin Montgomerie - The Swing

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The Swing

Monty's Wisdom - I used to say 'I hit a driver, 8-iron at the 5th', but I realised pretty quickly that such boasting means nothing. You must learn that what it says on the bottom of the club is irrelevant to scoring.

People get an inflated view of how far us pros hit the ball. My driver flies about 270 yards, but into a bit of wind it might be 260. Amateurs who say they hit it 250, that's a long way. Technology is helping us hit the ball further, mainly because the ball stays in the air longer. Technology is about 80 per cent ball and 20 per cent club.

Stay loose

I have very tight hands, I'd guarantee that every one of you reading this would grip the club tigher than I do at address. Under pressure, my grip on the club at address gets even lighter. I think of a tube of toothpaste and make sure nothing comes out.

Low and slow

The first move is all important. Try placing a tee in the ground and swing back low and slow over that point. If you are tense you will not be able to complete the backswing. If I can get back then I can come through. Most amateurs are impatient and rush the shot.

Tight at the top

You must complete the backswing. Because of my loose hands, I go back past the horizontal at the top. At this point the grip has tightened and I am now ready to make a positive attack on the ball.

Don't think 'hit'

The ball gets in the way of my swing. Most amateurs hit at the ball. I swing through it and there's a huge difference. People ask where the 'hit' comes from. Well, it starts at the top of the backswing and it continues all the way to the followthrough.

High hands / Distance control

I've always had a very high hands finish which is the result of staying loose and flowing through the shot. If you are free of tension then you can release down the line and your momentum will carry you into this position.

I have a happy knack of hitting my 7-iron 165 yards very accurately. Do you have a perfect yardage? Because you're always going to be closer to the hole if you get the distance right than you would be if you only get the line correct.

Golf World - Legends - Jan 2009