One of the first observations golfers make when they come to Harewood Downs is just how incredible the view is. This was my first thought when I came for the interview here and Geoff took me out onto the practice ground.

The terrain is fantastic along our side of the valley, with woodland that frames the far side an added bonus. Harewood Downs is the perfect place to test your golf skills. It doesn’t have huge water hazards and fairway bunkers, like many old courses, its terrain is it’s protection. Sloping fairways, tiny treacherous greens and well positioned trees, tees and greenside bunkers are all it needs to make approach play difficult.

When teaching the game we practice from well cut, relatively flat ground. This is ideal for learning the mechanics of the golf swing and it’s function with all the clubs in the bag; but unhelpful in terms of getting you around a golf course. The transition from practice ground to course is the hardest part of all because the comfort zone has been removed.

How many of us practice well and then go straight to the course and struggle? We are presented with all sorts of lies and shots which we just can’t rehearse on the practice ground or swinging a ruler in our office. The measure of a good golfer is therefore, his or her ability to adjust to their surroundings, chose the right shot and have the confidence and technique to play that shot.

The most important factor in playing any shot which has an awkward lie is to try and feel comfortable. This is a ‘must’ if the swing is to remain balanced. At no cost should you play a full shot if you feel you can not maintain balance. There are thousands of variations but as long as you approach the shot with a method you will be fine.