MIND GAMES

Use the course for practice. If you have a spare hour, the great temptation is to hit balls; instead, consider playing six holes. It’s the only place you can practise all those vital performance skills like decisionmaking, your reaction to your shots, even your adjustment to the rhythm of play itself.

Mind your body language. Posture can affect the chemicals released into our bodies, and slouching releases the stress hormone cortisol. Ask one of your playing partners to use their phone to film you walking during the round, ideally late on and ideally without you being aware of it. This will give you a clear idea of what your body language says about you.