The best-laid plans...

By Harry Emanuel Last updated: 20th January 2010

Scotland's 18th Century bard Robert Burns once said: "The best-laid plans of mice and men go oft astray."

On Monday my day off and tickets to watch the final session of the cricket were exchanged for a lunchtime flight from Joburg to Abu Dhabi and a few holes at the Royal Kensington and Johannesburg Golf Club's West Course.

Just as we started the horn sounded to stop play but my caddie Eddie assured me it was alright to continue. After the first birdie of 2010 had been secured on the 200 yard par three fourth hole the thunder started to belch from the heavens and there was huge streak of lightening. Eddie put the bag down almost as quickly as I handed him my driver.

Despite his protests that it would pass and we could wait just a few moments I felt caution was the better part of valour. Well it may be Chinese Year of the Tiger but I was born in Chinese Year of the Rabbit which according to Wikipedia has the motto 'I Retreat'.

On our return to the course I felt Eddie was losing confidence in my golfing ability after I hit one into the water on the sixth and he indiscreetly asked one of the groundstaff to get us some more balls. I much preferred it when every now and again he would shout 'golf shot' when I hit one really well.

On arrival in Abu Dhabi one is quickly reminded betting and watching dirty movies is strictly forbidden and you have to find a hotel to purchase overpriced alcoholic refreshments. Obviously it will not be my first choice as a retirement destination but at least one can be consoled by the fact there are 8,000 air stewardess based in the city.

The weather is perfect and the players stay in the 7 star Emirates Palace but the golf course will be no walk in paradise. The rough may not be long but it is very thick and Geoff Ogilvy, who really enjoyed his first look at the course, described it best when he said: "It's definitely a big disadvantage to be in the rough as opposed to being on the fairway, from the fairway you make birdie. From the rough it's not the end of the hole it's just a disadvantage."

Dave 'I'm just a large' John has picked him out as one to watch this week.

Defending Champ Paul Casey feels 95% fit but still has a way to go to get 100% fit and he said: "I don't quite have the same range of motion that I would like. I am unable to swing the golf club like I was this time last year but it's still good enough to get it airborne."

He says his main goal is to be injury free for 12 months. The injury is definitely of some concern but he may be underplaying his hand a little considering he managed to shoot 15 under par in Hawaii 10 days ago.

Lee Westwood is still full of confidence and feeling refreshed after a somewhat enforced six week break due to the snow. He spent some time in Barbados and managed a few rounds at Sandy Lane.

He is looking forward to the week, saying: "It's obviously a spot that suits me. I've only played once and finished second and being on a desert course last time it's a great place to start the year."

Rory McIlroy has also enjoyed the break after a hectic schedule at the end of last year. Looking back he feels he needs to improve his putting and he was hitting the ball too much right to left at the end of last season: "My putting is the biggest factor. I've worked the last ten days in Dubai trying to neutralise my ball flight a little bit and working on my swing plane a little bit with Michael. I still need probably a few more days to groove it all in, but it's getting in."

Sergio Garcia is suffering a little tendinitis from the wrist injury he restrained when playing in the World Cup: "It's been quite slow but fortunately now its better. I mean for four or five weeks I couldn't get the clubs out. Started practising last week and I'm obviously quite rusty."

Ian Poulter is, as usual, full of confidence but hasn't had the chance to prepare quite as well as he would like and is still experimenting with the new grooves: "There's definitely a little bit of difference. The ball is definitely releasing out more."

Our own Matt Cooper has written an interesting article on the effect of the new grooves.

In the last 10 days on tour I've found the general consensus is that the new grooves don't change the amount of spin players get from the fairway. The ball does spin less from the rough so players will need to use more imagination around the greens and many are going back to their old wedges.

Over dinner Oliver Wilson explained the new grooves are not going to change the way players approach the game and it's not going to stop them attacking golf courses with driver.

The feeling is the changes are unlikely to achieve their main objective and stop the players just gripping it and ripping it as the USGA and R&A had hoped. They may find themselves scratching their heads thinking of a quote by Robert Burns. What was it? Ah yes! Best laid plans....

Harry Emanuel