54 G o l f P l u s M A Y 2 0 1 5

FEATURE

by Shaurya Singh

port is changing and Golf is no exception. The adage “drive for show and putt for dough” may well be losing its relevance thanks to a paradigm shift inthe sport. Long hitting has always been

an exhilarating aspect of the game; admit it- holing a fi ve foot putt is not half as much fun as hitting a three hundred yard tee ball!Tiger Woods forever changed the way competitive golf is played. The effects of the change can be felt across all realms of professional Golf.Up until Tiger’s emergence a deft touch and good short game were the key ingredients for playing great. Fitness was an afterthought.Tiger’s unbridled power and famous gym routine changed the game forever.Athletic ability became a vital asset: an increasing number of professionals now habituate the weight room.Now that 350 yard drives are commonplace on tour, one wonders if the ability off the tee has become the single most important factor in the big league. Never has long driving shaped the destiny of tournaments as today, weather it is Dustin Johnson’s rocket drives or Bubba Watson’s gravity defying swing, it is certain that long drives make the game easy, as well as exciting .Fans love to see their heroes going all out.Golf today is a global game; hence the dissemination of the latest trends is quick. Little wonder that the winds of change are so evident in India.Across the country brawny young professionals are thwacking the golf ball,emulating their idols. The three hundred yard drive is no longer the holygrail. Now-a-days even teenagers are hitting drives around this mark.Who are the players who are making waves on the PGTI with their long bombs, and have a lot of hustle behind their muscle?We will have a look at a few of the

by Sha

The age of the long hitters

G o l f P l u s M A Y 2 0 1 5 55

FEATUREstand-outs

Khalin H JoshiThis young gun from Bengaluru is a recent winner on the PGTI and one of its most entertaining players. He uses his athletic frame very effi ciently and generates power through a late release (shades of Sergio Garcia!), which helps in creating lag. An interesting incident indicative of his power was on display in the second round of the Indian Open (at the Delhi Golf Club) when he reached the par fi ve eigth in two shots; needing only a nine iron for his second shot.

Siddharth SemwalAffectionately known as“Sid” to his friends, this drumming enthusiast has moved up the long driving echelons thanks to his regimented gym routine and an esoteric golf swing. His fast tempo and an in-to-out attack angle helps him generate tremendous ball speed, resulting in long booming drives each and every time.

Abhijit Singh ChadhaAbhijit’s superior hitting abilities have brought him in the limelight not only in India but, Asia as well. One of the longest hitters in the continent, he is often referred to as India’s answer to Dustin Johnson. A naturally gifted athlete, Abhijit possesses a sound golf swing and is one of the few players who have the ability to hit a three wood to three hundred yards and more!

Abhishek JhaAt six feet six inches Abhishek dwarfs his compatriots, in stature and ability, cementing his identity as the gentle giant of Indian Golf. The key to his power is a wide swing arc enabling generation of substantial swing speed.

Abhishek KuharThe young pro from Gurgaon has a Cabrera’esque tempo and the ability of hitting high towering drives, easily fl ying the ball three hundred yards. His classic golf swing generates power through a stable lower body and a wide shoulder turn. His “go for broke” play has gotten him into contention many times on the PGTI and he has a proven ability for shooting low numbers on tough golf courses.

Mandeo PathaniaNo mention of long driving can be complete without mentioning Mandeo; the head pro at Jaypee Greens Golf Club, now plying his trade on the Canadian GA is the original prima donna of the long driving opera. His brand of “grip it and rip it “golf has earned him quite a few course records and the dubious record of having cracked fourteen drivers!A bonafi de gym rat, Mandeo obliterates golf courses with his thunderous drives and powerful ball-striking. The recently married man is still unquestionably the king of swing, and with his lusty blows he continuesto conquer even the most challenging golf courses.Thanks to the technological advances that have made the game easier, even the older pros are hitting the ball farther than they ever have; this has made the game more inclusive and has extended many careers. If the current trends continue, the day that four hundred yards becomes the new three hundred is not too far.