January 4, 2022 9:26 am

Spring, although technically just around the corner, still feels a bit distant. You are probably still not getting out to the course much at the moment, so this is a great time to work on your mental game in the warmth and comfort of your own home.

If you play the same course a lot, then find a quiet place where you can concentrate, close your eyes and picture yourself playing at your course. Imagine playing your best shots that you have ever hit on each of the holes on your chosen course. Most people will have what we used to call an eclectic score on their course. That is the best score you have ever achieved on each individual hole, added together to make an 18 hole score. That score is often below par, even for a middle handicap golfer.

It makes you think, why can’t I do that every time, but we know this game doesn’t work like that. So, visualize yourself playing the hole the way you have done on that occasion of making the best score on it. Remember the tee shot, how it felt and what it looked like from your standpoint. Picture yourself walking up the fairway and choosing the club for the next shot and executing it as intended. See the ball go into the hole for whatever score you made and repeat this for all the holes.

As ever, you cannot think the golf ball into the hole, but this will definitely give you a nice feeling for the game and drive your enthusiasm to get back out onto the course. Having that reserve of memory to call upon will help you next time you do get to play.

By Jon Woodroffe: Master Professional, World of Golf London

Categorised in: Tip of the month, World of Golf London