Brian Shubrook: Ultimate Game Makeover

I'm continuing to practise daily in the sun in Barbados. At the moment I'm concentrating on all aspects from short game to the driver but also putting a lot of time into become better acquainted with my new Dave Whitlam putter.

Trying to stroke the ball with a steady pendulum swing. I must say, it helps having an excellent practise putting green here. The greens at Royal Westmoreland are very difficult to judge, as with the strong grain one way which accelerates the ball, and then putting back against the grain, where one needs to aim to putt two feet past to reach the hole it takes some getting used to!

I'm also working hard on my short game and attempting to clear the mind before each shot, although nerves still play a part. I've played three rounds this week to test out how I am progressing.

First was at the Sandy Lane Country Club, where I partnered my friend Nigel against 'Huggy' and Keith. We ended up winning on the 18th, having been two down with one to play. It's a nice course but not a patch on Royal Westmoreland. Overall, I'd say I'm satisfied with my game but I didn't put too well on very fast greens, so I made sure I put some more putting practice in the next day.

On Thursday I partnered Nigel again against my good friend Dave Button and his partner, Carson who plays off scratch... Last time I played against him he shot a 65 here, 7 under so we knew we had a game on.

Fortunately he could not quite repeat the feat, and we ended up winning 2 & 1, shooting an 85 13 over. I was pleased with my driving and iron play, and although I duffed a few early short chips I didn't let it get to me and improved as the round progressed I made a birdie on the long par-5 16th!

Finished the week with another match on Friday, partnering my great friend Gunter Stohr, who has flown out here to stay with us for three weeks. We played against 'local' Swede Richard who plays off of 4 and his friend Ron off of 15. I really played well and we won the match 4 & 3 and I shot an 83 11 over. I'm very pleased with the week, but I am conscious that I need to continue to apply the same principles each time in order to strike any consistency.