Fact file
Golf coach and sports psychologist. Peter Hudson, has joined the Golfmagic instruction team to present an innovative series of articles, which we hope will shed new light on the game.
As president of the World Golf Teaching Federation of Great Britain and coach to the Essex county team, he aims to bring 30 years experience to Golfmagic visitors who are keen for themselves, their family and friends, to make the most from golf.
He says: "I don't just teach what to learn but how to learn."
*More information about Peter Hudson's approach to coaching can be found on his websites -
www.yourgolfcoach.com and
www.wgtfgb.com Alternatively call him direct on: 08700 114 292.
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*Aim for the centre of the green for long shots.
*Accept a bogey, if necessary, and take double bogey out of the equation
*Get chip shots rolling on the ground as soon as possible and on to flat landing areas, therefore avoiding pitching the ball onto uphill or downhill lies, where the bounce can be inconsistent.
*Be target specific.
There are probably probably dozens more but these are the basics. Now ask yourself how you see yourself sticking to these strategies?
If you take on shots that you only hit occasionally - leaving downhill putts, chip shots with nowhere to land the ball, aiming for the pins and always taking the driver on par-4 and par-5s - then you have to discover your decision-making strategy and change it.
Here's a couple of simple ideas to explore.
Think about good decisions you've made in life
Think about situations, away from golf where you always made good decisions. There will be a pattern to your strategy; pick it out and study it. Somewhere in the process you will realise how the decision feels - a gut feeling. Most strategies that lead to bad decisions tend to miss out this essential element. That gut feeling is usually your first instinct.
Imagine the worst case scenario
Imagine you have played the shot and hit the worst shot possible. Did you think through all the worst scenarios?
Now, imagine what you should have done and replay it the correct way in your mind. If you remember some of these bad shots from the past when you have made the wrong decision, then played correctly, you will notice how the second time you played the right shot so much better.
Course management includes good preparation - an essential of good management.
Tour pros will:
*Arrive, relaxed and in plenty of time for their tee start, with their yardages sorted.
*Be properly equipped, including the right selection of 14 clubs for the type of course they're playing. Their clubs will be clean with grips in good condition.
*Wear and carry suitable clothing for the conditions and possible eventualities if the weather is threatening.
*Carry waterproof protection for towel and extra gloves if it's raining.
*Carry adequate water and energy supplies.
