Huge congrats to Charley Hull on a flyer of a start to the season! She kicked off the Ladies European Tour in style by clinching the title at the PIF Saudi Ladies International in Riyadh.
It was a serious Sunday charge, as she started the day tied for 11th and three shots off the pace, but a seven-under 65, playing the last 8 holes in six-under put her firmly in the driver’s seat. It came down to the wire, but when Casandra Alexander’s birdie look on the 18th stayed out, the trophy was Charley’s by a single stroke. Not a bad day’s work, especially with a $750,000 slice of the LET season’s biggest purse headed her way.
Charley Hull of England with her trophy” by Tristan Jones / Ladies European Tour via Flickr
I’d kill for a bit of that Saudi sunshine right about now! Golf in the UK is a total washout, especially on those clay-based courses like my home club that have essentially turned into sponges. Until things dry out, we’re stuck with range sessions and indoor drills to keep the swing from getting rusty. But while you’re working on the physical side at home, it’s the perfect time to sharpen the mental side, too.
That leads me perfectly into this article with tips to help us stop throwing away shots through self-imposed errors, the kind that have nothing to do with your technique and everything to do with your mindset. One of the drills in there is actually something you can in your living room to prepare for your next competitive round. Let’s face it, when we’re out there, we are often our own worst enemies!
How often do you stand over a ball and immediately start cataloguing every possible disaster? You see the water lurking on the left, the bunkers on the right, and before you’ve even started your takeaway, you’ve talked yourself out of a good shot. To break that cycle, try focusing on two key things: always rehearse a positive practice swing and fix your sights exactly where you want the ball to land by picking out a specific target on the horizon.
While we’re biding our time for a dry spell, improving your visualisation is the perfect living room project. Close your eyes and imagine that first tee shot, going through the entire motion in your mind. Don’t be surprised if your imaginary shot is a shocker at first - that’s just your subconscious fears surfacing. The more you practice these scenarios mentally and visualise a successful outcome, the more natural it will feel when you’re finally back on the tee.
Another classic mistake is club selection, and I’m fairly certain PGA Pro Katie Dawkins, who wrote the article, had me in mind for this one. She’s always warned me that trying to squeeze a 3-wood out of a dodgy lie just to chase distance is a recipe for disaster.
Of course, when we last played, I decided I knew better and ignored her. I went for it anyway, predictably duffed the shot, and was left feeling completely embarrassed that I hadn’t listened to the expert. Later in the round, I found myself in similar spots, but this time I swapped the 3-wood for a hybrid. Unsurprisingly, it worked so much better - turns out the pro actually knows what she's talking about!
