First week of golf on the Fylde: The one birdie players aren't aiming for at Fairhaven

Golf was among the first sports to return to life post-lockdown last Wednesday and Fairhaven members can book nine holes each day if they wish.

Fairhaven’s Olwyn Kingstree explained: “You arrive, change your shoes in the car park and leave as soon as possible afterwards. The pro shop is open, but you stand at a table in doorway and say what you want, and the benches have been turned upside down so no-one sits around. It’s working out rather well.”

Dave seems to have got back into his routine as well. Olwyn added: “He struts about and doesn’t bother anyone. Dave spends time around Isley Road and Kintour Road as well and is a beautiful sight, especially early in the morning popping his head out of that bunker.

“There are stories of peacocks at Fairhaven going back to the early 1980s, when Bill Miller was pro. They would go onto the pro shop roof and members would feed them crisps. You can feed Dave by hand ... if you dare.”

Thanks also to Knott End Golf Club for this picture of David Mahon preparing to play the first shot at 8am last Wednesday, watched from a safe distance by playing partner Alan Jones.

Club professional Jonny Salisbury is ensuring that all players understand the ‘play safe, stay safe’ guidelines as they arrive.

The club also thanks its greens staff for keeping the course in tip-top condition.

This week Alastair Taylor of Lytham Golf Academy offers advice on how to jump-start your season...

So golf has been back for a week and hopefully many of you have had the opportunity either to play or to hit some practice balls.

How was it? Better or worse than you thought? Golfers coming back after a break often have lower expectations, don’t think much about their swing and play quite well.

The bigger challenge often comes in the next few sessions, when you expect to play well, maybe try a bit harder and start thinking about everything again... or overthinking. Take 10 minutes to write down what is good in your golf game, what is weak and what you hope to achieve this year.

You may have done this at the start of the year but your answers may be different now. And once you know what you want, write down how you will work towards it.

Will it be by having some coaching, or will you just make more time to practise or play?

Whatever your approach, write down your aims for the year and how you intend to achieve them.

When is the best time to start? How about right now?

You can contact Ali via his website www.alitaylorgolf.com or check out his YouTube channel AliTaylorGolf for more free tips.