Freddie Flintoff Blog

It’s been a hectic start to the golf season for me; the first season that I’m happy to call myself a ‘golfer’! I’m still waiting to get my three cards in for a handicap but after a couple of lessons I’m well on my way to getting some sort of swing together.

I’ll be aiming for a handicap somewhere around the high teens. I think I’d be comfortable off that and could still take the money off Goughy and Harmison when we’re up at Slaley Hall next week for the De Vere Club PGA Seniors Championship. I’m also planning a grudge match against my manager Neil Fairbrother in the US, so I need to make sure I’ll be taking shots off him too!

Starting off with a couple of lessons has definitely helped me get off on the right foot. Gavin at The Carrick spent three hours with me (there was a hell of a lot of stuff to sort out!) and I loved every minute of it. My hands were red raw and blistered afterwards but it’s been a while since I’ve been this bad at a ball game and apparently I’m quite competitive…so people tell me!

I saw Mark Pearson at Oulton Hall too and he’s getting me to work on my grip. It feels so comfortable to hold the golf club like a cricket bat but that’s giving me some control issues with my driving, so it’s something I definitely need to sort out. Hitting it miles is great but not when it’s miles in the wrong direction!

There was a glimmer of hope after my lessons though; I managed to rack up a birdie at Oulton Hall, the third of my career! I holed a 60-yard pitch too but that was only on the driving range so it doesn’t really count!

I have just received my Nike custom-fit clubs too and a tour bag with my name on it. I’m not sure I’m good enough to use it and look like a tour pro yet, but it’ll give the boys a laugh on the first tee anyway!

My last round was at Heron’s Reach a fortnight ago, which was great. I’m loving playing at different courses all the time, getting full use of my De Vere Club membership and learning new shots and a bit of course management along the way. I made four pars (we won’t mention the other 14 holes) so I’m making some progress and I can’t wait to get out on the course after being away for a few weeks.

I’m really looking forward to the next month of golf, teeing it up with Woosie and Torrance at Slaley Hall in the De Vere Club PGA Seniors Championship will be quality! I’m already nervous about it but I’m sure there’ll be a few laughs and if I can come in on a couple of holes with a few pars I’ll be happy. I’ll get another blog in with my how my game’s coming on before then. Six pars or an eagle are my goals in the next four weeks. I might as well aim high!

Check out Freddie’s instruction feature and what you can learn from the big man in the next issue of Today’s Golfer, out on June 16th.

Freddie Flintoff is a member of the De Vere Club, which is a flexible points based membership offering golfers the opportunity to play at 16 courses across the UK, including The Carrick on Loch Lomond, Slaley Hall and Wychwood Park. For more information visit www.thedevereclub.co.uk or call 0844 980 80 60.