Stress may be attributable to a wide range of factors. Young professional players are especially vulnerable at this time of year, as they contemplate a visit to the dreaded Tour School with all the consequent implications for their future in the game. Suddenly, an activity which they had always viewed as pleasurable, becomes decidedly stressful.

Chronic or long-term stress in a golfer can often have its source in a one-dimensional attitude to life. In other words, they become so obsessed with their golfing activities that they cannot see themselves in any other meaningful role. In such circumstances, stress is inevitable.

Outside the game, stress may come from other sources, for instance domestic or work. The balanced individual will find a way of boxing off these activities, so that work isn't carried onto the golf course, and so on.

Then there is a condition which we call trait anxiety, which predisposes golfers to view competitive action as a threat. This is usually associated with low self-esteem and it follows that high self-esteem and self confidence offer an invaluable means of reducing these levels of anxiety.

Firstly, let us take the build-up to the Tour School. On the one hand it can be an exciting and stimulating prospect; on the other, it can be decidedly scary and forbidding. In most cases, however, the immediate desire to achieve, can override any long-term stress and anxiety. Indeed when the breakthrough is made, the result will be a new-found confidence, both in a professional and personal context, which, in turn, will have the effect of reducing stress levels.

In coping with high-pressure situations, it is important that a player learns to be assertive, turning negative momentum into positive momentum. Perseverance is crucial. Irrespective of how difficult things may become, whether through advancing years or loss of form, it is absolutely essential that golfers retain a belief in themselves. Against that background, they will find the impetus to reshape their game.

Some stressful situations are unavoidable and have a tendency to build up over a period of time. But they, too, can be reduced if we come to terms with emotional and physical changes. Denial and repression must be replaced by a positive awareness.

Relaxation, while effective for some, could create low arousal in others, making them susceptible to distraction. On the other hand, high arousal can induce a sort of tunnel vision which can be invaluable to the competitor at a high level. It all comes down to a matter of listening to what one's body is saying and to work towards achieving a reasonable balance.

The key is to behave and feel good about oneself and one's game. It means taking responsibility for emotional reactions without judging oneself too harshly. Clearly, it is much easier to handle mistakes when one's self-esteem is high. So, we must take the initiative, rather than simply wait for something good to happen.

An awareness of inner strength enables us to take control. And coupled with that awareness should be the practical process of preparation.

A concert pianist may have played a particular piece hundreds of times. But they will still feel it appropriate to practise thoroughly before a concert performance, so as to ensure that they do themselves justice.

The club golfer can learn much from this. I remember a player telling me how, in a pro-am in Spain, Eamonn Darcy had looked at his mud-caked clubs and remarked dryly: "Do you find you play better when your clubs are dirty?" Clean your clubs before competition and be sure that they are properly gripped and that your other equipment such as gloves and balls are in top-class condition.

Of course there will be nightmare games. But throwing the clubs will only further demoralise the player, whose self-esteem is already at a low ebb. Practice is another obvious means of confidence-building. Yet a recent survey indicated that the average club golfer spends no more than half-an-hour a week practising.

Apart from building muscle memory, hitting golf balls on the practice ground can help increase the player's levels of concentration, visualisation and physical well-being. The confident player will be calm and relaxed under pressure. On the other hand, it is inevitable that a player will become anxious if he/she is unsure about what they are doing.

The successful, confident player will view the various things that arise during a round as situations rather than problems. But remember that confidence will not overcome incompetence. It can produce the desired reward only when accompanied by honest work on the practice ground.

(Series concludes)