A successful round of competitive golf is all about grasping the initiative. It's important to realize that this starts the moment you roll up in the car park. Pull your 10.5 inch pure white Ping Tour bag out of a glistening, brand new Toyota MR2 and you're already two holes up on your opponent. Add in a cashmere Pringle jumper, Lyle Scott golden eagle polo shirt, Kangol flat cap, some Farah slacks and a £200 pair of Footjoys and it's as good as a birdie. What I'm talking about is gamesmanship. A system of ploys and stratagems designed to give you an edge in any situation as expounded by self-improvement author Stephen Potter. Golf is ideal for taking advantage of this knowledge and no place on the course allows for more opportunities to scupper your opponent's confidence than the putting green. From Bertie Wooster's 'Old Hickory' to Judge Smail's 'Billy Baroo' it's all there on the green - nerves, superstition, gimmicky clubs and lucky rituals. How easy can it be to break in and stamp on these voodoo rites to success by a well-timed cough, feigned concern for your opponent's concentration or a sudden defensive stroke with your arm to fend off an invisible wasp attack? And remember: if a bit of gamesmanship was good enough for Sean Connery's James Bond in Goldfinger then it should be good enough for you. Invoke the spirit of Terry-Thomas and crack on. Is he bothering you...?
