Rob Bright’s monthly golf column (September 16)

Each month, there will also be a different offer for you to take advantage of at the club – this month, it is buy one golf tutorial lesson, get one free.

WATCHING the Irish Open a few weeks ago on television, we were treated to a display of bad golf played well by three-time major champion Padraig Harrington, who eventually went on to finish second.

One of the TV commentators made an interesting point that Harrington didn’t seem to be afraid of hitting a bad shot, and that got me thinking.

Many amateur players seem to be playing the game as if they expect disaster to strike at any minute.

This produces uncertainty, which leads to tension and self-doubt. Not ideal for good golf, I am sure you will agree. Imagine walking round expecting to fall over at any minute, afraid of a fall.

Your walking style would become tight, careful, controlled and tense.

This is how many people play golf. Bad shots will always happen.

That, I am afraid, is just part of what you signed up for when you started to play this game, and the bad news is that they will always happen. Acknowledge that they will happen from time to time and become mentally prepared for them. This will ultimately free you up to produce a more fluid, free-flowing natural swing, which is a must for good golf.

Harrington, that week, was hitting the ball all over the course, and by not letting a bad shot ruin his thought process, he was able to make calm and controlled decisions, which ultimately led him to playing the best golf available to him that week. The result was a great tournament finish from a lousy game.

You can only use what you have available that day, and it’s your job to get the most out of it.

Don’t let thoughts of duffing chips, leaving it in bunkers, three-putting (a personal favourite) and water balls distract you from making a free fluid swing to the target, along with making intelligent decisions on the course.

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