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| Garcia on the tee (Picture courtesy Rolex). |
Here's a new series of instruction tips you may want to try over the coming weeks, generated from years of studying the world's top players and teachers.
Look out for more shortly from the fairway, from hazards, around the green and on the putting surface.
If they work for you let us know. And if you've got some of your own you want to pass on, click on to the forum and share them around.
And remember, especially off the first tee, you don't always have to hit driver - the toughest club in the bag to control. A fairway wood, or even an iron will usually get you in play and in confident mood for your round.
1. Line of sight
Mark your ball with a line along its equator - extending the small type which identifies its model - aiming it at your target. Square shoulders, knees and toes to it and swing down the line. This also helps to identify your own ball.
2. Up for a draw!
Tee the ball up to encourage a draw, down to promote a fade.
3. Wind-cheater
A ball teed up into the wind and struck with a balanced, controlled sweeping motion will produce a more penetrating flight. Teed too low, in an effort to get the clubhead to the bottom of the ball, it will tend to gain height and lose distance.
4. When danger lurks…
When there's trouble on the right, tee up on the right side of the tee box to concentrate your target to the left. If danger lurks on the left aim away from it by setting up to the left. And use the whole of the tee area - a rectangular area two club-lengths deep from the front of the markers - to ensure a sure footing at impact.
5. Sole secrets
Tell-tale marks on the sole of your driver left by a wooden tee reveal your swing path. If the line starts from the bottom right of the clubface and runs upwards and across to the left it's travelling from out-to-in (slice spin); from toe to bottom left of the sole plate, it's producing hook spin.
6. Grip easy
Keep grip pressure light not tight for the best results.
7. Pick your pocket
Imagine someone behind you is pulling your right hand pocket to encourage a good hip turn.
8. Point the way
To assist your alignment at address extend your left arm to point at where you want the ball to land and move your shoulders and toes parallel to your extended arm. Embarrassing at first but you'll soon be able to square up to your target without hand signals.
9. Strong is square
A 'stronger' left hand grip (for the right-hander) will help square the clubface at impact. Let your left hand hang down naturally and the palm will automatically face your right thigh. Feed the club into your hand with the thumb just right of centre. The logo on your glove should be visible to anyone standing opposite. Right hand palm should face the target with the thumb and forefinger 'V' pointing towards your right shoulder.
10.Hands behind the head
Keeping your hands behind the ball at address helps you complete your backswing, swish the clubhead more freely through impact and encourages the clubface to return square naturally.
