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Hi Darren, I'm very interested in the mental side of the game so I was wondering how you prepare, play and review your game, especially matchplay competitions. I've a number of matchplay events scheduled this year and want to be in top form both physically and mentally! Regards, Keith Haynes

Keith Haynes

Hi Keith, the best piece of advice that I can give you is to take a look at Bob Rotella's books - they're absolutely brilliant and tell you in detail how to deal with situations that you may come across. I hope you do well in your matches. Cheers, Darren.

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Hi Darren, I am the Captain of Whiston Hall Golf Club, Staffordshire and I was asked to Tap Dance on the Tee when I turned up in my new shoes. I was wondering if you would please give me some advice on what to use to clean them, they are DCC Leather Golf Shoes with Black Wingtip. I am hoping you get picked for the Ryder cup team. They are a great shoe! Thank you if you can help. Kind Regards, Phil.

Philip Wood

Hi Philip, thanks for the message and glad you like the shoes - you certainly have excellent taste! There's no special care needed really, they just need to be treated the same as a normal pair of leather street shoes. Just clean them and dry them after every round and then use a good polish. Hopefully I will be playing my way into the Ryder Cup team this year and not relying on getting picked. Cheers, Darren.

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Hi Darren, I am 13 and I play off a 13 handicap, I have a great short game but one thing that holds me back is my distance, I was wondering if there was any tips you could give me to help me hit the ball further?

Diarmuid Boylan

Hi Diarmuid, well that's a pretty good handicap to have at 13 years old so well done! Glad to hear that your short game's in good shape - that makes such a difference to scores. I think your distance will increase with age really and it's not something to be overly concerned about - but do remember that hitting it a good distance comes with a good rhythym and tempo and I'd just keep working on that. Another tip is to try and make your backswing as compact as possible and then you have more power going through the shot. Good luck, Darren.

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Darren, I had the pleasure of following you around yesterday in the Dubai Desert Classic. I was puzzled to see you use a pitching wedge for putting in the last few holes - what was the reason for this? DARREN

Darren Taylor

Hi Darren, as you noticed I was using the lob wedge to putt with for the last few holes on the Saturday of Dubai - my frustration got the better of me on the 12th after missing yet another 8 footer and I'm ashamed to say that I bent the shaft so was unable to continue using it for the rest of the round. All the best, Darren.

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Hi Darren, Just wanted to say well done on last weeks performance and lets hope 2010 is a vintage year for you. It was great to see you back competing for a title and you have certainely inspired me to get my clubs out again after the miserable snowy weather we have been having.You still get my £10 each way bet every time you compete, so thanks for last week and here's to a lot more success in 2010. And just to let you know at the end of the year I will send half of any winnings I make through 2010 to The Darren Clarke Foundation. I hope thats ok. Best wishes, Mark Freeman

Mark Freeman

Hi Mark, I really enjoyed being in the mix in Joburg last week and the final hole eagle lifted me into a tie for second and I was really happy with that. That's a really generous offer of yours and I'll have to make sure that your wagers have some good returns! I really appreciate that very kind gesture - as you know the money from the Foundation is split between encouraging and promoting junior golf and breast cancer charities so the causes are really worthy. Thanks again, Darren.

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