Richie Ramsay in Dubai as another golfing season picks up pace

Carbon's DP World Tour ambassador Richie Ramsay has swapped Scotland’s winter weather for the sunshine of Dubai as another golfing season picks up pace. The Scot shares his thoughts on the campaign ahead – and his views on changes to the game which would add to the excitement and drama for spectators on course and on their sofas.

“Since turning 40 I have been asked more often about my plans for the future.

But right now, all my focus is firmly on another season on the DP World Tour, starting with the Middle East Swing.

I like getting the prep work done with the sun on my back in Dubai. It is very different to what I would have been facing back in Scotland when the temperatures had dropped well below freezing not long after I flew out.

I have been getting ready for the season with my long-time coach Ian Rae. It has involved a lot of technical work.

I have been working on my technique after some injury troubles last year. I have an ongoing autoimmune issue and a doctor warned me years ago I would have to work harder than most. His words have always been in the back of my mind, but I have never shied away from hard graft.

It is in my DNA but my body is responding well to work I have been doing to strengthen my neck muscles – and a small change to my backswing which is designed to take pressure off the neck.

The warm-up is always important for me, and I do a lot of stretching at nights and before getting on a plane.

The initial feeling is positive and hopefully it will help going forward.

I remember a chat I had with Sir Chris Hoy, who put great emphasis on the controllable aspect of his regime.

As you get older it is important to dedicate your energy to the right areas.

I’m on the road for nine of 11 weeks. It is always a busy spell but on the plus side, basing myself in Dubai, there are short haul, one-hour flights to various tournaments in the region.

As I have said before, anything that comes easy isn’t worth doing. The satisfaction comes in rising to the challenge and while it is getting harder and harder to compete at the top level in a game where power, super high ball speeds and distance off the tee have become an increasingly dominant part of the sport, the competitive fires are still burning brightly.

With a record low score posted recently in Hawaii, I noticed a comment from 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman when making some par fives par fours was being mooted.

He advocated a proper roll-back, with the return of small headed drivers for the professional game. That would make it harder right away. You'd have to get the manufacturers on board five years out from any change because of their huge investment in research and development.

But does the average golf fan really want to watch huge drives and relentless wedges into the heart of greens week in week out?

The Open at Royal Troon and the Genesis Scottish Open when Rory won at Archerfield were the most fascinating in years, as the hostile weather forced players to adapt their game to the conditions and shape their shots. It made for great entertainment.

Players are more skilled than ever but so much hinges on the driver these days. They are overpowering traditional golf courses.

I am convinced a proper rollback would create more unpredictability and more entertaining golf and drama for spectators at the venues and on television.

But given the lack of agreement in golf on so many issues I’m not holding my breath on that one!”