The golfer who can hit 426m

South African long drive golf champion of 2016 and winner of this year’s Winter Indoor Long Drive Series, Morné Wolmarans can hit a ball 426m.

However, the Linden resident could not defend his title at the 11th Quantum Driving SA Championship at Copperleaf Golf Estate on 25 November, because he broke his driver during the event and could not get the knack of his backup club.

“I was only able to hit 320m so I am disappointed, though the competitions are always fun,” the 31-year-old said.

The sport of long drive golf is fairly new in South Africa and has received mixed reactions from traditional golfers.

In long drive golf, the clubs have longer shafts and a lower angle on the head so players can hit much further. The heads are slightly stronger than traditional clubs, but not any thicker.

In long drive golf, linear boundaries on the left and right create an alley players need to hit their balls down. The player who hits the ball the furthest in a certain number of shots, wins.

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“Long drive golf is to traditional golf like T20 is to longer cricket. It is explosive and quick, easy and fun to play.”

Wolmarans calls the sport ‘anger management therapy’ because it feels so good to hit a ball so far. He regularly meets with friends and has a blast, breaking one club on average every month.

Matthew Eglington of Quantum Driving which hosts long drive events, said the sport had become something every golfer could understand and love but has not been accepted by golfers in South Africa to the degree it has been welcomed overseas.

“South Africa will host the Long Drive World Series in April,” he said, adding that South Africa’s Jason Cook has already qualified and will represent the country, with possibly one or two others.

Wolmarans aims to do well in the qualifiers in January, represent South Africa in the series, and play abroad next year.

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