I saw that some of you guys liked that flop shot I showed in the last video. I love practicing that shot. It feels like it helps the rest of my game and especially my short game. The easy shots seems even easier after practicing that one. I came to think of an idea, what if you guys post some videos of your own trick shots and the winner gets on of my 60 degree wedges sent to you. You just post your video and then whoever wins, I take your adress and I’ll send it. Good deal? And to make it fair, if a 20 hanicap player makes a pretty sweet trick I’ll consider that better than if a scratch golfer would do the same so feel free to post videos no matter how good you are! And just put down the handicap as well. 

The last day has been boring but kind of sweet still. Just travelling. 

Started out in Monaco and a really weird thing is that it’s that cheaper to take a helicopter to Nice Airport than to take a normal cab. But, I ended up getting a lift from Henric which was great. He is always fun to hang out with!

A quick flight to Frankfurt and then a 12 hour flight to Singapore from there. I slept the whole way almost so felt great when I landed. 

Singapore is such a nice place. Everything looks so clean! We’re staying at the Sentosa Island and it’s really cool! The beach is right outside the window and the golf course is walking distance away. This is set up to be a great week. Can’t wait to get up tomorrow to go practice. Haven’t practiced hard for a week now so it’s time to get some work done. 

Heard that this course is one of the best in Asia. Haven’t seen it yet but I like the sound of that. It’s always nice to play nice courses! It’s such a good run of tournaments now here in Asia and then a month and a half break before the next season starts. So, I’m gonna put all my energy into these three events and see what happens and then get some work done on my game over the break.

Cheaper than taxi??? Weird!

Henric is helping out

Never seen such a nice city highway before!

Looks great

Perfect cool down after the gym

Bye for now!

Just at the airport in Nice going to Singapore. Never been this excited to go and play…after 5 slow relaxing days in Monaco I feel that my motivation is on top! On a airport computer which has a really messed up keybord so these three sentences took 10 minutes. Get back to you in Singapore. Happy times!

Tried to answer some questions from the comments…

Q. Sort of funny when, you shoot 10 under the last round and just a couple of days earlier, you wrote that you didn´t think such scores were possible on Oceânico Victoria Golf Course.

Could it be the mental part of the game? If they can, then why shouldn´t?

A. I think as soon as someone shoots a crazy number, all other players know it is possible and aim for that. Before play starts, everybody imagines how the scores will be and if someone shows us you can score really low we change our minds about scoring. I thought, around 18 under would win and when somebody opens with 9 under you understand it’s going to be lower and you change your attitude towards the course.

Q. Hi Alex, great playing so far this year!! Just wondered your thoughts on practicing. I am a pro and find my self practicing 5,6,7 hrs a day on all aspects of the game. I prob only play twice a week or so. Should I be playing on the course most days do you think??

A. I believe there has to be a balance. Golf is all about scoring low. To do that, your technique has to be good but you also have to be good at playing the game. Not hitting separate shots. You have to be able to manage your way around a course. I have started playing more and more lately and find it very helpful for my game. There are so many good playing exercises that will improve your strategy and toughness on the course. Although, too much playing and not enough practcing is not good either. Try different things and you will find out what works for you. I usually practice 2, 5 hours and play 18 holes a day during my training weeks. Then some technique work at home and gym at night. 

Q. Do you have a gym exercise that’s specially good for golfers?

A. Since I started doing non-golfing exercises in the gym, my game has improved and I’m not injured. So, I think an overall good physique is the best. Do a lot of different exercies and make sure you stay fit.

Q. Do you know if there is any videos of the HIO or the 4 iron on the 16th the last day?

A. I played too early for the camera guys to show up. Sorry, next time I’ll try to play better during the start of the week as well!:)

Q. I got two questions for you: First, do you have anyone helping you with travel bookings and such things? Second, when I hit my wedges, my club gets in a very steep position. Do you have any exercises that will help me get it more ”on-plane”?

A. First question: Yeah, I do. My management company helps me out and it’s great. I could book myself before tournaments, but when things change during a tournament with times and so on, it’s nice when they can change flights when I’m out playing. They are a big help. Also, I’m not a big fan of a lot of administrative work, I rather work on new shots. 
Second question: Try to put balls down in an arc like I showed in the video I posted in the previous blog. That will help you understand the swing plane and the path the club should take. It gives you a good image. Just have the balls there every time you parctice and your palne will get better without you thinking about it.

Q. Awesome blog you’ve got! Both fun and interesting reading, and great videos too. I was just wondering a little about that flop shot. I’ve been practicing a lot on it but I just can’t get it right. Do you have any good tip so I can impress my friends with it next summer? That would be cool!

A. Haha, I love trying that shot too! It makes you understand how the club should work. I have tried a lot of different things. The last thing I tried works the best no question. I open the blade a lot as you can see. Then I try to ”cup” my left wrist during the back swing which will increase the loft even more. Then on the down swing I try to scoop underneath the ball to make it pop straight up. You need to get the club on the right plane so it the ball spins straight. It’s hard if you cut it, it will never go as fast up. It will just slide to the right. Try and see:)

We went up to the mountains to hit some balls…

Bye bye:)

It’s been raining in Monaco for three straight days…

…But it’s ok since I needed a few days off from golf anyway. I’ve done some work on the computer and I’m trying to learn a movie program so I can get good at editing movies. Then 1 hour of working out every day and then just trying to get some rest. After three instensive golf weeks I needed a little break to get my motivation back up again. In the past, I never used to take breaks from golf. I practiced every day and it’s not the best way to do it I think. Now, I rest until I can’t stand not being on a golf course. Then, I know I have the motivation I need to practice and play with quality.  

I have been doing some technique work at home though…couldn’t resist:)

The weather looks like it’s clearing up and we can go practice some golf!!!

All golf courses down here seems to be located away from the cities and the ocean up in the mountains. They all have stunning views…

Bye

Just came inside from a cold and rainy Monaco…Feels weird to be cold down here. Usually it’s sunny and nice but maybe later in the week the sun will come out again when it’s time for golf. Now, I focus on the gym and recovery for a couple of days. And trying to eat well, which I think is the hardest part. I love bad food but it’s not great for the body I guess…

Here is a short video from last’s week tournament in Vilamoura, Portugal.

Steak and shake after workout is great:) Just like in college…

Later!

Got a photo to hang on the wall from my swing coach Pete Cowen after I won the Omega Masters. Love this photo of Ben Hogan. He looks comfortable.

I made Pete sign it. I’m very impressed by Pete’s knowledge about golf. He can show you any shot as well. He has helped me a ton!

Here are some questions and answers from last week:

Q. Can you have a look at my swing? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkozV1X-lAI

     Norwegian, 17 years old. Scratch handicap.

A. I can honestly say that is one of the best swings I have seen. You can still polish it a touch but overall you have a an incredible action! It goes up great in the backswing with the correct loft and it comes down the plane with slightly more loft on the club which is the best move you can have. The swing has an in-and-on look. It means the club looks like it comes a touch over the top on the down swing but it doesn’t. It just perfect. Then it’s free flowing through the ball. Unreal! This plane is exactly what I’m looking after. Good luck with your game!!! This is good stuff!!!

Q. Hole in one then an eagle wow how many times you done that?

A. Never ever!!!

Q. Im watching your scores on the European tour website and you got a hole in one!!!! Well played!! Hope u post a video of that would love to see it, what club and shot did you play? finish well and get in the top 10 mate! How many holes in one have you had in tournament and non tournament play? Have you won anything because of your hole in one?

A. No video of the hole-in-one. Sorry! Hit a 5-iron 198 meters. A little draw which landed 6 meters short and rolled in:) First hole-in-one in a tournament. Second ever. First one was when I was 12 years old. It was about time.

Q. By the way, on the European Tour Race to Dubai Show your name was already associated with the upcoming Ryder Cup. How do you feel about that?

A. Feels great to be mentioned! I really want to play that tournament! It’s the ultimate challenge!

Q. By the way what is the model of the Casio Exilim that you use yourself? Would like to buy one of those myself but some of them are just really expensive…

A. I just dropped that camera but it was a normal Casio Exilim. Around 250 Euros. 

Q. Good luck today, I’ll follow you on the live scoring. I have some questions for you:
1) It looks like you work out a lot in the gym during tournaments, how many hours a week do you work out both on a tournament week and an off-week?
2) Except for practise- and tournament-rounds, how much do you practise golf during both tournament-weeks and off-weeks?

A.  I do about 5 hours of working out during a tournament week including flexibility, heavy weights, biking, trunk stability etc. I train more during an off week. The sessions are longer since I don’t have to be alert the next day. 

    Exept for the playing- and practice rounds I practice about 2, 5 hours a day including the warm-up session of about 1 hour and 15 minutes. During an off week, I train about the same amount as during a tournament and I play 18 holes as well, usually worse ball.  

Q. I noticed that you got a Mac Book, was just wondering whethere you sometimes do some swing analysis on your Mac and if you do what kind of software do you use for that? V1, Gasp etc do not work on Mac unfortunately.

A. I dont do any with a program on here. I just do it straight on the camera. It works fine whit that Casio Exilim camera with great slow motion video. I don’t know what programs work on a Mac. Sorry! But there has to be some. 

Q. What do you think of allt he low cuts? What do you prefer the cut to be?

A. I think the cut should be around level par. There has been a lot of low cuts this year. There has been less rough overall during the year so the cuts are a little lower. It makes us play for birdies a lot more and the crowd likes it but I like it a little tougher. It makes us improve our games. 

Q. Do you have any tips on a good putting mat? Is your Odyssey mat good?  

A. The Odyssey mat is good. It’s small and handy and rolls well! You can look at callawaygolf.com and see if they have any there otherwise a normal mat will do fine I think.

Just got to Monaco and trying to get sorted for a good training week.   

See you later!

Had no big expectations of today when I woke up but I ended up having the most fun I’ve ever had on a golf course! Started awesome with a lot of birdies and finished with hole-in-one, eagle, par to shoot 62 (-10). I couldn’t stop laughing after those two ”eagles”. Then straight to the pool to hang out with the other players. This week is one of the best on tour. Everything about the tournament is great!

Laying in tied 6th right now. Gonna drop down some but I’m still really happy! My last hole-in-one was when I was 12 years old so it was about time:)

Pierre again stepped up and took some photos from the hotel pool looking over the 18th hole. 

Was really happy after that hole-in-one!

No off to Monaco to get some work done and get a camera! Heard Nikon is good!???

See you later!

Pierre was handling the camera yesterday since I have no idea where my camera is. Hate loosing things and specially that camera which is great for videoing the swing with super slo-mo mode. My days look pretty similar during a tournament week so sorry for not photoing more different things but I’ll travel soon to snap some other stuff…Pierre is proud over his mega zoom camera though in these shots. A little blurry still I think:)

Early morning course preparations in the dark from the greens crew.

Me and Colin on the course

3rd hole

Tried a new series in the gym that I’m gonna work on next week when Pierre isn’t there. There is a lot of technique which you have to get right. Just like with golf. 

Pro photographer:)

Tee off at 9.58 today and laying in 45th place. I got 4 shots up to top-20 which would help me a lot on the rankings. That’s my goal for today. To get there I need to have a good attitude out there, whatever happens. 

See you!

Been a weird day…felt great warming up before the round. Started horrific with par-dubbelbogey-bogey and it was just to put on the fighting face! Got it together and made the cut on the number. I’m very happy that I faught back. The scores are crazy again this week. Francesco Molinari is leading on 15 under and Harrington shot 62 today. They must have been playing so good! Hats off! I didn’t even think that was possible here. My 4 under is not even close but I’m still happy to play over the weekend. It’s such a nice week with a good course, an outstanding hotel and 30 degrees and sun every day. I don’t want to leave:) 

Had some problems with my swing today…I’m probably too technical most of the time but I think I need to improve my technique to get better. Now, I get underneath the correct swing plane and hit a big draw or leave it out right. Not the most fun feeling to have when you are over the ball. But, I will get closer and closer as long as I work on the right things. It’s all about finding good exercises and then stick to them. Played with Justin Rose and James Kingston and they both played great so my game felt worse than it probably was. Worked on some things on the range after and working on some things in the room right now. Gotta get it right for the big upcoming events. 

Speaking of that, this is my schedule for the rest of the year:

19-24 October Monaco Training

25 Oct-1 Nov Barclays Singapore Open, Singapore 

2-8 Nov HSBC Champions Shanghai, China

9-11 Hong Kong

12-15 Dubai Training

16-22 Race To Dubai, Dubai

Then some rest and some training somewhere…

All those events are big and some good finsihes will get me in the top-50 in the world and that would be unreal. Woud get into a lot of good tournaments next year if I can do that. I need a good training week next week in Monaco. 

This has been a great week for my strength training…breaking all my old records…just did 19 chin-ups…I’m so happy right now! My goal for this year was 20 chin-ups and I still have a couple of months to do that. I think it’s the new strategy of drinking coffe before the gym and protein shake after and trying to beat Edfors as my motivation that made me perform better. Edfors is strong!  

Mikko getting ready for dinner…

Me trying to look busy…

…and Pierre still happy after getting beaten in the weekly chin-ups competition. I would cry:)

Good night. Sleep time! And maybe some Henrik Dorsin on youtube!