Often regarded as the fifth Major, The Payers Championship at TPC Sawgrass will host this week’s PGA Tour event. Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott headline a stellar field for the 41st Players Championship and 33rd to be played on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.

Pete Dye’s magnificent creation is usually above criticism and with good reason. It’s a wonderful layout that offers no let-up and does nothing unfairly, even if holes such as the iconic par-three 17th can occasionally seem barbaric.

This year, things are a little different. A cold, difficult winter in Florida combined with a mistake or two by the team preparing the course means that several greens have remained closed for practice. It helps that Sawgrass is typically regarded as a tee-to-green examination so while the very best putters may cope better with the problems, their efforts will probably prove futile if they’re unable to keep churning out greens in regulation.

It’s also proved important to arrive at Sawgrass in something very close to peak form and that makes sense, as there is no hiding place here-confidence is a huge weapon around this great track.

So where do we start? At the head of the betting we’ve McIlroy, who is producing top-10 finishes without threatening to win, and Scott, a past champion here who is probably the more likely of the two. Neither are to be ruled out but nor does there look to be outstanding value in their prices.

Zach Johnson caught the eye last week and is understandably popular at a more suitable venue.

This week’s tip Zack Johnson each way at 30/1 or Henrik Stenson at 25/1.

Putting Drill Regardless of how good your judgement is it is unlikely that you will hit every long putt to gimme distance, therefore being able to hole out from 3-4 feet is critical.

If however any of the three core principles - aim, path and strike - are out this will be difficult to achieve with any real consistency.

Incorporating the following drills and methods into your practice will improve your stroke and help you hole more of these vital putts.

Aim: Ask a friend to remove the ball and replace it with a credit card. Placing the edge flush against the face will instantly show you where the putter is aimed.

Keep your eyes still: Mark a dot on the ball with a pen and focus your eyes on that spot during your stroke.

Grip pressure: Ensure that your grip pressure is not too tight.

Solid base: Try and avoid any leg or hip movement during the stroke. Practice in the house with your backside up against a wall.

Hit the sweet spot: Wrap two elastic bands around your putter face one to the left and one to the right of centre and just over the size of a ball. Avoid hitting either of the bands while making your stroke.

Coming Soon: Demo Day from Cobra.

Book your appointment with expert fitters from Cobra, call the shop for more details.

Want to improve your distance, hit more greens, hole more putts then try our new range of demo clubs from all the leading brands at Enniskillen Golf Club free of charge.

For all the latest equipment offers check www.thegolfcabin.co.uk Liam Mc Cool, PGA Club Professional Enniskillen Golf Club, Castlecoole 028 66325250