I’VE shared any number of tips and drills with my students over the years, but here are the ten most common pieces of advice I’ve given:

1. When practising on the range, go through your full pre-shot routine for every ball you hit. Using this method when you practise will help you maintain good rhythm and timing on the course.

2. Don’t just hit the balls. Practise the shots you know you’ll need on the course.

3. If your coach has given you drills to practise, do them. We don’t just give them to you for the sake of it; we give them to you to help improve your game.

4. Pitching is often an overlooked part of the game, but it can cost you shots. Work on pitching from different distances using different clubs to strengthen this area of your game.

5. Like pitching, chipping is an important part of golf. Practise chipping with different clubs to change the trajectory and roll of the ball. Chip to an intermediate target and let the ball release to the hole.

6. Too often I hear golfers complaining about the number of three-putts in their round. Work on distance control with your putting, particularly from different lengths, say, 10, 20 and 30 feet.

7. Bunkers are another area of concern for many golfers. The main problem is having too much spine tilt and too much weight on the right side at set-up. Having a more vertical spine and your weight 60 percent on your left side will allow the club to enter the sand with a more descending blow, utilising the bounce of the clubhead.

8. Tee your driver at the correct height. To take advantage of the sweet spot, tee the ball so that half of it sits above the top of your driver. Hitting the ball above the equator of the clubface will create more clubhead and ball speed, which will in turn give you more distance.

9. Craft a knockdown shot. When hitting a 6-iron, for example, place the ball one ball-width back from its normal position but still forward of your sternum. Your finish position should see the club at 3 o’clock with the clubhead lower than the handle. This will result in a lower ball flight than normal.

10. Choose the correct hybrid. If you have a clubhead speed of 80mph or more, a 4-hybrid will suit your swing. If not, you will be better served by a 7-wood, which will create a higher ball flight, more clubhead speed and greater distance.

If you have any questions, e-mail me at [email protected]