THE home of golf has hired its first resident sports psychologist to help players struggling with the mental side of the game.
Dr Paul McCarthy will help members at St Andrews Links in Fife, which includes the famous Old Course, to cope with any mental issues affecting their game.
The chartered sports psychologist, who runs a clinic in Glasgow, has joined the staff at the St Andrews Links Golf Academy. He will be at the courses on several days each month and golfers can book individual sessions with him.
Dr McCarthy, who is also a lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University, said: "I am delighted to become the first resident sports psychologist at St Andrews Links Golf Academy. The team is committed to exploring exciting and innovative methods of coaching and development.
"I have helped athletes in a number of disciplines to improve their performances and regain the enjoyment and motivation to do their best, always.
"I know that no two athletes, coaches or teams are the same, so I tailor my approach to focus on meeting and understanding individual needs.
"I am looking forward to putting my work into practice at the academy."
A session with him will cost about £60 an hour.
Dr McCarthy has previously worked with various golf and tennis professionals and Nottingham Forest FC. He has also written several books, including The Successful Golfer: Practical Fixes For The Mental Game Of Golf.
Several leading sports people, including golfers, have hired sports psychologists in recent years. Renowned coach Dr Bob Rotella helped Darren Clarke win the Open Championship in 2011 and Keegan Bradley to lift the PGA title the same year.
English golfer Lee Westwood has also recently taken on a sports psychologist to help him land his first major title after going close several times in recent years.
Steve North, director of instruction at St Andrews, said the appointment of Dr McCarthy was made to expand the range of coaching services at the club.
He said: "More and more golfers of all abilities are starting to appreciate the importance of the mental side of the game of golf.
"If you look at the world's leading players you can see how seriously most of them take their approach to mental conditioning in every aspect of their game, whether it is practice or in the heat of competition.
"Those same skills are applicable to every golfer and can make a real difference in your approach to the game. Our aim at the academy is to provide the highest standard of coaching and support for all aspects of the game.
"We always strive to offer our customers innovation and excellence in everything we do. We have been exploring the possibility of introducing sports psychology to the academy for some time and Paul's experience and approach to work seems like the perfect fit. We are delighted to have him on board.
"The team and I are looking forward to seeing the positive results of his work with golfers of all abilities."
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