WATCH: How do you hit drives in the air on the links? Open champion Paul Lawrie has a great tip for intermediate golfers

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It’s safe to say that Scotland’s Paul Lawrie knows a lot about hitting low drives in strong coastal winds.

In 1999 he overcame a huge pre-final round deficit (10 shots) to oust Jean Van De Velde and win the Open Championship at Carnoustie.

Two years later he won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, a tournament that celebrates Scottish seaside golf and includes not one but three great courses – the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.

Without the ability to hit hard drives in strong winds Lawrie would not have won a single one of these titles and in this video created by the Open digital team he reveals a simple drill that everyone can follow.

“We’re having a nice breezy day, up here in Aberdeen,” Lawrie said, wrapped in a woolen hat and waterproofs.

“There are a few things you have to start with when you get winded and it’s all about setting up,” he explained.

“First, you hold the club slightly from the top.”

Lawrie shows his hands about three inches from the top of his grip.

“You also hit the ball a bit back in your stance with a bit of weight to your left.

“But the big thing is that the throw must be short and slow,” he stressed.

“It’s an easy mistake when you add a switch to speed because the ball just goes up in the air.

“That’s why it’s important that you come out fast and make sure that the ball goes down.”

The video cuts to show Lawrie practicing theory during the Open at St Andrews. With a low, slow swing the ball goes forward and runs to within eight feet of the flag on the short par-4 18th hole.

“So remember,” he said, returning to Aberdeen and wrapped up. “Hold down, ball back a little, weight a little to the left, and a short, slow swing.

“You’re going to get a good low shot that keeps the ball under the wind and goes where it’s supposed to go.”

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