Stenson drives ball 700 yards from jet wing!

Stenson celebrates

Henrik Stenson, the Ryder Cup hero from Sweden, set a new Asian long-driving record today - from the wing of a Etihad Airway jet at Abu Dhabi airport.

Using a Srixon Z-Ti driver, he fired a Srixon Z-UR ball (how appropriate he has just signed an endorsement contract with the Alton-based equipment distributors!) 721 yards along the runway, beating a group of challengers including long-drive world record holder Paul Slater from the UK, who represents the London Golf Show.

Commented Stenson: “This was an unbelievable experience. I saw pictures of Ian Poulter and Paul Casey, competing in the 'Swing on the Wing' contest last year and was thrilled to have the chance to take on Ian's record. I am just glad I was able to sneak past it by 25 yards.”

The wet conditions, making grip underfoot treacherous, could have accounted for Stenson not getting nearer to Warrington-based Slater's world record of 884 yards set last April at NMSI Wroughton, in Wiltshire.

Stenson with challenger James Efde from Wentworth

The English winner, 18-year-old student James Efde from Wentworth Golf Club, said: “This has been the experience of a lifetime given to me by Etihad Airways. To be able to compete against Henrik and Paul is a dream-come-true," said James, who will stay on to watch this week's Abu Dhabi Championship on desert sand.

Where's the strangest place you've hit a golf ball? I've driven a couple off a clifftop into the sea far below at Ilfracombe in North Devon just for devilment, hit sand wedge practice shots on a beach in Northern France (how sad is that?) and competed on weird and wonderful concrete 'crazy golf' holes around the world. But nothing compares with striking a ball off the wing of a plane - unless you know different! Tell us your experiences on the forum.